The next time someone accuses you of making an irrational decision, just explain that you’re obeying the laws of quantum physics. A new trend taking shape in psychological science not only uses quantum physics to explain humans’ (sometimes) paradoxical thinking, but may also help researchers resolve certain contradictions among the results of previous psychological studies.

“Whenever something comes up that isn’t consistent with classical theories, we often label it as ‘irrational.’ But from the perspective of quantum cognition, some findings aren’t irrational anymore. They’re consistent with quantum theory–and with how people really behave.”

In two new review papers in academic journals, Wang and her colleagues spell out their new theoretical approach to psychology. One paper appears in Current Directions in Psychological Science, and the other in Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

Their work suggests that thinking in a quantum-like way – essentially not following a conventional approach based on classical probability theory – enables humans to make important decisions in the face of uncertainty and lets us confront complex questions despite our limited mental resources. (1)

We are limited beings.

And yet we can understand the cosmos.

We are limited beings.

And yet we take decisions that change the cosmos.

We have limited choices.

And yet we can affect everything.

Because everything is possible at the same time. Because whatever we do, we also do the things we do not do. Because wherever we are, we are at the same time somewhere else. Because everything is One.

People called it Magic in the old days.

Now they just call it Quantum Mechanics.

Sounds better.