Over time this leads to automatic responses, which is dangerous if new data changes the pattern into something different. Soft thinking finds the commonalties between things, while hard thinking focuses on the differences. So patterns simultaneously help us make connections, and keep us from seeing connections. A difficulty with pattern-matching occurs when we use the surface level or appearance of a situation as the basis for the underlying structure. Navigating a path .
Humans are always on a path.
Each path consists of a present situation and a place or a goal. Each action initiated by us is dependent on a decision. If these decisions are aided by pattern matching the mind will automatically make use of the match. Sometimes this is prompted when we expect or desire certain outcomes in certain situations, and the desired result doesn't happen. We may then reject the outcome, whether it be a situation or the actions of a person.