Dark Side of Clarity: Its Effect on Knowledge Production and Decision-Making
Law enforcement decision-makers rely on intelligence analysts to produce intelligence products that are clear. Yet, intelligence analysts live in a world characterised by ambiguity and information overload. This paper examines the intellectual journey that leads to clarity of thought, and the effect...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Charles Sturt University
2017-03-01
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| Series: | Salus Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://salusjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Wolfberg_Salus_Journal_Volume_5_Number_1_2017_pp_1-26.pdf |
| _version_ | 1817980450863316992 |
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| author | Adrian Wolfberg |
| author_facet | Adrian Wolfberg |
| author_sort | Adrian Wolfberg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Law enforcement decision-makers rely on intelligence analysts to produce intelligence products that are clear. Yet, intelligence analysts live in a world characterised by ambiguity and information overload. This paper examines the intellectual journey that leads to clarity of thought, and the effect of the dark side of clarity on producing knowledge for decision-making. The paper asked, how does the dark side of clarity manifest itself to analyst and decision-maker? The result is counterintuitive; while the bright side of clarity is expected, and demanded because of its benefit to decision-making, the dark side of clarity co-exists in the shadows of certainty and makes it difficult to think critically. Neither analyst nor decision-maker is likely aware of this negative effect. To make this dark side of clarity visible, recommendations are made that begin with raising analyst awareness by augmenting existing training. Then, decision-maker awareness can be approached through training and facilitated coaching. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T22:55:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-692aebee43f640a98411749c49f2acb9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2202-5677 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T22:55:00Z |
| publishDate | 2017-03-01 |
| publisher | Charles Sturt University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Salus Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-692aebee43f640a98411749c49f2acb92022-12-22T02:26:04ZengCharles Sturt UniversitySalus Journal2202-56772017-03-0151126Dark Side of Clarity: Its Effect on Knowledge Production and Decision-MakingAdrian Wolfberg0US Army War College, Carlisle, PALaw enforcement decision-makers rely on intelligence analysts to produce intelligence products that are clear. Yet, intelligence analysts live in a world characterised by ambiguity and information overload. This paper examines the intellectual journey that leads to clarity of thought, and the effect of the dark side of clarity on producing knowledge for decision-making. The paper asked, how does the dark side of clarity manifest itself to analyst and decision-maker? The result is counterintuitive; while the bright side of clarity is expected, and demanded because of its benefit to decision-making, the dark side of clarity co-exists in the shadows of certainty and makes it difficult to think critically. Neither analyst nor decision-maker is likely aware of this negative effect. To make this dark side of clarity visible, recommendations are made that begin with raising analyst awareness by augmenting existing training. Then, decision-maker awareness can be approached through training and facilitated coaching.https://salusjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Wolfberg_Salus_Journal_Volume_5_Number_1_2017_pp_1-26.pdfintelligenceanalysisinformation overloadequivocalityhelpfulnessclarity |
| spellingShingle | Adrian Wolfberg Dark Side of Clarity: Its Effect on Knowledge Production and Decision-Making Salus Journal intelligence analysis information overload equivocality helpfulness clarity |
| title | Dark Side of Clarity: Its Effect on Knowledge Production and Decision-Making |
| title_full | Dark Side of Clarity: Its Effect on Knowledge Production and Decision-Making |
| title_fullStr | Dark Side of Clarity: Its Effect on Knowledge Production and Decision-Making |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dark Side of Clarity: Its Effect on Knowledge Production and Decision-Making |
| title_short | Dark Side of Clarity: Its Effect on Knowledge Production and Decision-Making |
| title_sort | dark side of clarity its effect on knowledge production and decision making |
| topic | intelligence analysis information overload equivocality helpfulness clarity |
| url | https://salusjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Wolfberg_Salus_Journal_Volume_5_Number_1_2017_pp_1-26.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT adrianwolfberg darksideofclarityitseffectonknowledgeproductionanddecisionmaking |