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Cognitive Biases: Difference between revisions
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'''Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that occur in all people. They occur when we process information from the world around us leading to incorrect conclusions''' and are often caused by [[heuristics]]. When third parties with malicious intent take advantage of cognitive biases, this practice is known as "[[Dark Patterns|''dark patterning'']]." | |||
'''Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that occur in all people. They occur when we process information from the world around us leading to incorrect conclusions''' and are often caused by [[heuristics]]. When third parties with malicious intent | |||
== The Objectivity Assumption == | == The Objectivity Assumption == | ||
The best place to start to learn about biases is [[The Objectivity Assumption]] | The best place to start to learn about biases is [[The Objectivity Assumption]], which is the common held belief that one's self is absent of thought bias. Once understood, this opens room to learn about the various personal '''[[heuristics]], [[Thought Paradoxes|paradoxes]]''' and '''[[Logical fallacies|fallacies]]''' that make up our minds. | ||
== Types of Cognitive Bias == | == Types of Cognitive Bias == | ||
There are a wide range of cognitive biases | There are a wide range of cognitive biases, the most important to know are those which effect our primary way of understanding the world through our senses, these are called perceptual cognitive biases. | ||
=== | === Perceptual Cognitive Biases === | ||
* [[Authority Bias|'''Authority Bias''']] - the tendency to attribute greater accuracy to the opinion of an authority figure and be more influenced by that opinion. Social pressure can cause individuals to align their beliefs with those of an authority figure, even when those beliefs are incorrect. | * [[Authority Bias|'''Authority Bias''']] - the tendency to attribute greater accuracy to the opinion of an authority figure and be more influenced by that opinion. Social pressure can cause individuals to align their beliefs with those of an authority figure, even when those beliefs are incorrect. | ||
* [[Confirmation Bias|'''Confirmation bias''']] - refers to the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, while disregarding or downplaying information that contradicts those beliefs or hypotheses. It can lead people to form inaccurate judgments and gain confidence to make flawed decisions as they may only consider information that supports their existing views and ignore important evidence to the contrary. | * [[Confirmation Bias|'''Confirmation bias''']] - refers to the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses, while disregarding or downplaying information that contradicts those beliefs or hypotheses. It can lead people to form inaccurate judgments and gain confidence to make flawed decisions as they may only consider information that supports their existing views and ignore important evidence to the contrary. | ||
* '''[[Availability Bias|Availability Heuristic]]'''<ref>https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468377-thinking-fast-and-slow</ref> - people tend to use the ease with which they can think of examples when making decisions this is often compounded by the [[Survivorship Bias|survivorship bias]] which is our tendency to favour learning from winners. | |||
* '''[[Bandwagon Effect]]''' (aka ''Groupthink'' or ''conformity bias'') - occurs within a group of people, in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. | * '''[[Bandwagon Effect]]''' (aka ''Groupthink'' or ''conformity bias'') - occurs within a group of people, in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. | ||
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[[Energy frugal brain|The brain is the most energy hungry organ in our bodies]], so to save energy we have evolved shortcuts in our thinking to reduce cognitive load: | [[Energy frugal brain|The brain is the most energy hungry organ in our bodies]], so to save energy we have evolved shortcuts in our thinking to reduce cognitive load: | ||
* '''[[Halo Effect]]''' - it takes a lot of mental energy to fully assess another person's capabilities so people instinctively look for clues which point them in the general direction. This leads people to assume a person or thing is good in every way because of one good characteristic. | * '''[[Halo Effect]]''' - it takes a lot of mental energy to fully assess another person's capabilities so people instinctively look for clues which point them in the general direction. This leads people to assume a person or thing is good in every way because of one good characteristic. | ||
* '''[[Status Quo Bias]]''' - it is difficult for us to change long held beliefs because of [[cognitive dissonance]]. | * '''[[Status Quo Bias]]''' - it is difficult for us to change long held beliefs because of [[cognitive dissonance]]. | ||