20 cognitive biases that screw up your decisions

[Newest Reality]

Understanding biases, (one's own and other's) can be a useful skill that applies also to the social and political spheres. These biases obviously tend to be unconsciously driven and can go unnoticed. Much confusion and many misunderstandings can arise because of them and they can interfere with knowing our opponents well enough to effectively engage for change.

I would invite our members to consider applying the idea of bias, in general, first and foremost when considering the view of the opposition because it can be a powerful tool for both understanding and confronting them. Consider looking at your own biases for the purpose of having a more open mind and for the freedom of thought and perspective it can provide.

Adding these to your toolbox, along with recognizing and calling out logical fallacies, can make you far more effective in all aspects of your interactions and give you a clearer and more fair view to work from.


(the following are the most common ones)


20 cognitive biases that screw up your decisions
https://www.businessinsider.com/cognitive-biases-that-affect-decisions-2015-8

[Faux pas]

1. Kickin' to

absorb later

[Newest Reality]

2. Just a note and incentive:

At first, this might not seem like a big deal and even somewhat uninteresting, (you have important things to do).

The real payoff is when you learn these and start to notice them more. It sort of pops out at you sometimes like a window opening. That's when it can be rather delightful and you know its is worthwhile.

If you have ever learned some of the main, logical fallacies then you know what I mean because you start to notice them when people are trying to push or argue a point and you tend to avoid them when you are trying to make a good case for something yourself.

Enjoy!

[ck4829]

3. K&R

[ChazII]

4. Informative and useful

I will keep this bookmarked.

[Newest Reality]

5. Great!

Glad you thought so.

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. This is great. I have also been recommending "Skeptics Guide to the Universe."

These resources are even more important today!

[Newest Reality]

7. Yes they are!

I am so glad you recognize that, but then, I may be biased

I practice skepticism too, but only in a Fortean sense, (which is more in accord with the empirical scientific view). I also have some skepticism about skeptics who practice or promote skepticism for its own sake--that has many flaws. For instance, James Randi falls under that category, as well as other staunch skeptics who claim to be practicing it correctly, but are actually using it as a means to justify their own, underlying biases.

“The constant assertion of belief is an indication of fear.”
― Jiddu Krishnamurti

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. Good example.

Yes, I don't trust a skeptic who doesn't admit he or she is subject to the same biases even when they know about them.

And dammit, I still think I'd stick with my first choice in the Monty Hall dilemma.

[Newest Reality]

13. Me too...

Those darn doors!

[yonder]

8. bookmarked and thanks, NR.

[Mr.Bill]

9. I'm never wrong.

Sometimes I'm not exactly right, but I'm never wrong.

Seriously, we can never rid ourselves of our biases. But learning about them is a good step to managing them. Journalists wrestle with this every day. Some of them are better wrestlers than others.

[hibbing]

10. Interesting post, thanks n/t

[hunter]

12. I've rarely been troubled by any of those.

Once I get past the psychotic symptoms and paranoid ideation it's all gravy.

[Newest Reality]

14. Me too!

Would you like some mashed potatoes with that?

[elocs]

15. We have a cognitive bias in that we know we are right and the other tribe is wrong.

We seek people to watch and listen to who will confirm our biases as well as websites to read, like this one, that will do the same.

The other tribe does the same thing themselves from their point of view and do their best to confirm and feed their own biases.

Opposite sides of the same coin that are each convinced that when you see their side you have seen the coin and there's no reason to look on the opposite side.

[Newest Reality]

16. Yeah, that sums that kind of bias up well.

However, we also often overlook the Tao. What I mean is the yin-yang relationship between two related points of view that stand mutually opposed to each other.

Because of the relationship and context of diametric opposition, you can say that they actually exist IN relation to each other, not in spite of each other, especially in the extremes.

I am pointing that out as another aspect of a set of possible, fundamental aspects from which to create strategies, personally or collectively. It seems to me that the "side" that understands that relationship, (ideally both would) well and that also has a better insight into the biases on both sides, is in a better position to contend. When both sides totally lose sight of that, then there is also the tendency for chaos and disharmony overall, as well as stalemates.

I would file these types of ideas under "processes" or "how" and that is, in the sense I am conveying it, mates well with the more specific "contents" of a situation, which, if we ignore processes, (in personally, in relationships, or organizationally) it becomes extremely easy to breed contention and become stuck.

1. Dualism
2. Biases
3. Logical Fallacies
4. Processes/Content

[eppur_se_muova]

17. Counterargument to Pro-innovation bias: Every bad idea was once new.

I see this a lot in education, where people are convinced that anything Web-based is inherently superior to whatever was used previously, even when the app/website is just recklessly slapped together and crawling with bugs.

[smirkymonkey]

18. K&R

and bookmarked! Thanks for posting!

[Newest Reality]

19. You're welcome!

It's my pleasure. I am glad to see it well received.

May all see clearly!

[Lokilooney]

20. I'd like to know how psychological projection fits in.

As far as today with the internet (#9) it seems to have led to a prevalence of #7

I wonder if I should get my child vaccinated...

google: vaccinations harmful

*click* Vaccinations are perfectly safe in the vast amount of cases.
*click* Vaccinations are safe.
*click* This just in all modern medical institutions on the planet recommend getting vaccinated for the umpteenth time.
*click* Vaccinations are safe.
*click* Vaccinations are safe.
*click* You know what never gets old? anti-vaxxer jokes and anti-vaxxers.
*click* Vaccinations are safe.
*click* Herd immunity is real.
*click* Get your kids vaccinated dip shit.
*click* Vaccinations are safe.
*click* Vaccinations are really scary and cause autism! Also check out our guide to eating for your blood type.

HA! I knew it!

Of course this I could always be guilty of #5

[Pluvious]

21. This is how the Russian Troll Army played us

Over 3 million Tweets, often on both sides of issues, ranging from BLM to vaccinations.

How to we as a society fight such exploitation ?