Cognitive Bias

Our brain does not understand reality in a completely accurate way. Rather, it understands reality based on how it processes it. Cognitive Bias is a pattern of thinking errors that happen when we try to make sense of their surroundings. It has a strong effect on the decisions we make, and the judgments we form. The way we remember a situation can be influenced by many factors. Because of this, our thinking and decision-making skills may become biased unintentionally. Humans also tend to focus only on certain information while ignoring the rest. Due to this, small and unnoticed biases can slowly influence everyday choices.

Real Life Applications

Attribution Bias (Self vs Others)

• Considering one's own diabetes to be due to genetics while considering others to have diabetes because of a lack of proper lifestyle.
• Blaming traffic for being late but thinking others are careless when they are late.

2) Confirmation Bias

• Searching for information that supports opinion and ignoring the opposite side.
• Thinking a teacher dislikes you because you are only noticing moments that proves it.

3) Availability Heuristic

• Thinking flying is very dangerous even though it is proven statistically unlikely to experience a plane crash and if you do, the survival rate is favorable.
• Thinking crime is increasing just because of the number of crimes you see people posting online.

4) Halo Effect

• Assuming a good-looking person is also smart, and kind.
• If someone is good at studies, assuming they are good at everything.

What Happens Inside the brain

The brain is constantly trying to save energy and instead of analyzing everything on a deeper level, it utilizes shortcuts called heuristics. Regions like the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision making, and the amygdala, responsible for emotions, work together quickly. However, in some instances these two regions can work together too quickly, leading to fast and often inaccurate judgments without processing the full information.  

How it affects us

Cognitive biases can lead to distorted thinking. For example, conspiracy theories are often influenced by a variety of biases and heavily relies on quick judgements. Cognitive biases can cause us to make unfair judgements about people, stay stuck in certain beliefs, or even miss out on better opportunities. However, cognitive bias is not necessarily harmful. Psychologists believe that in some cases, bias can be extremely useful and motivates us to act upon decisions faster. This can be seen in the natural "flight or fight" response, which is vital when we are faced with immediate danger. 

personal intervention

Although it's almost impossible to completely avoid it because the brain tends to rely on mental shortcuts, a person can significantly reduce its impact. Research from Harvard found that the effects of personal intervention such as raising awareness at a personal level are positive yet short-lived. Systems used for decision making should also be adopted to lessen the chances of biases influencing the process. Ultimately however, we need to take a certain amount of personal responsibility in order to reduce it. Recommended methods include questioning your first thought, looking for opposite opinions, being aware that you can be wrong, and slowing down when faced with important decisions.

Conclusion 

The human brain is far from perfect and cognitive biases are our brain's effort to simplify the incredibly complex information and decisions that we are constantly faced with. Cognitive biases directly affect our safety, interactions with others, and how we are able to make judgements in our daily lives. Although cognitive biases occur unconsciously, it is important to take small, meaningful steps to train our minds to adopt new patterns of thinking and reducing the effects of our biases. 

References

• Kahneman D., Slovic P., Tversky A. (eds). (1982), Judgment Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases. Cambridge University Press
• Žeželj I., Lazarević L.B. (2019). Irrational beliefs. Eur J Psychol.
• Kahneman D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow.
• Tversky A., Kahneman D. (1974). Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases. Science.
• Ariely D. (2008). Predictably Irrational.
• Thaler R.H., Sunstein C.R. (2008). Nudge.
• Gigerenzer G. (2007). Gut Feelings: The Intelligence of the Unconscious.
• Haselton M.G., Nettle D., Andrews P.W. (2005). The evolution of cognitive bias