Have you ever been convinced that something you wanted to achieve was impossible, only to later tell yourself that it wasn’t worth pursuing anyway? Or perhaps you’ve been in a situation where you felt like everyone was watching you and judging your every move. These are just two examples of cognitive biases that can influence our thinking and decision-making without us even realising it.
Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts or thinking errors that our brains make without us being aware of it. These biases can be based on past experiences, cultural or societal norms, and even genetics. There are numerous types of cognitive biases, but some of the most common include confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and the availability heuristic.
Cognitive Dissonance
A widely recognised instance of cognitive bias is the concept of cognitive dissonance, which manifests when we possess two contradictory beliefs or attitudes simultaneously. Encountering such an internal conflict causes discomfort, prompting us to reevaluate and adjust our beliefs or attitudes to alleviate the tension arising from the inconsistency. This intriguing psychological phenomenon can be observed in a variety of everyday situations.
For example, imagine a job applicant who fails to secure a position they initially desired. To reduce the cognitive dissonance stemming from their disappointment, they may persuade themselves that the job was not attractive or suitable for them in the first place. By reinterpreting the situation, the individual can reconcile their initial desire for the position with the reality of not being selected, thus alleviating the discomfort caused by the conflicting thoughts.
Another example involves a person who aspires to accumulate wealth but simultaneously holds the belief that all wealthy individuals are inherently greedy. The dissonance between their ambition for financial success and their negative perception of affluent individuals can lead to mental stress and anxiety. To resolve this internal conflict, the person may either modify their perception of wealthy people, recognising that not all of them are greedy, or reconsider their desire for wealth, ultimately realigning their beliefs and attitudes to reduce the dissonance.
In both cases, the individuals experience cognitive dissonance due to the presence of conflicting beliefs or attitudes, which generates discomfort. To mitigate this tension, they engage in a psychological process that involves reinterpreting or adjusting their beliefs or attitudes to create a more harmonious internal state.
“Cognitive dissonance is a mental conflict that occurs when your beliefs don’t line up with your actions. It’s an uncomfortable state of mind when someone has contradictory values, attitudes, or perspectives about the same thing. ” (Source)
Jennifer Tzeses
The Spotlight Effect
The spotlight effect is a cognitive bias that affects how we perceive ourselves and our surroundings. It’s a common tendency to overestimate the degree to which others notice and pay attention to us. This can lead to feelings of self-consciousness, anxiety, and embarrassment, as we believe that our every move is being scrutinised and judged.
Examples of the spotlight effect can be seen in everyday situations, such as arriving a few minutes late to a meeting and feeling like everyone is staring at us or feeling self-conscious while trying a new activity like going to the gym. However, research has shown that people are generally much less observant and judgmental of others than we think they are.
Therefore, it’s important to recognise when the spotlight effect is influencing our thoughts and behaviours and to take steps to reduce its impact. One effective strategy is to remind ourselves that others are likely not paying as much attention to us as we imagine. Instead, they are likely more focused on their own thoughts and concerns. This can help to reduce anxiety and self-consciousness, allowing us to be more comfortable in social situations and try new things without fear of judgment.
The spotlight effect is a common cognitive bias that can lead to negative feelings and behaviours. By recognising and addressing this bias, we can reduce its impact on our lives and improve our overall well-being.
The Anchoring Effect
The anchoring effect is another cognitive bias that can influence our thinking. It occurs when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information we receive when making a decision. We start with something we know for sure to be true and explore the unfamiliar territory. Unfortunately, we use anchors when we don’t need to. For example, when asked to guess the population of Russia, we might start by thinking it must be greater than 1 and less than 7 billion, and then adjust our estimate from there. The anchoring effect can be observed in a variety of contexts, including in sales and negotiations, where it can be used to set up a mind trap and exploit the bias against you.
“In a review of goal-setting research, negotiation scholars Deborah Zetik and Alice Stuhlmacher of DePaul University found that when negotiators set specific, challenging goals, they consistently outperform those who set lower or vague goals. Perhaps not surprisingly, performance improves when negotiators are given rewards for reaching a goal, such as a $10,000 bonus for billing 2,000 hours. Even an unrewarded goal, however, such as running five miles today, boosts performance.”
Source: Adapted from “Aim High, Improve Negotiation Results,” by Maurice E. Schweitzer (professor, University of Pennsylvania), first published in the Negotiation newsletter.
Cognitive biases have been the subject of numerous studies, with some of the most interesting and relevant research focusing on their impact in legal contexts. One notable experiment involved German judges who, on average, had 15 years of experience. In this study, each judge was presented with a description of a woman who had been caught shoplifting. They were then asked to roll a pair of loaded dice, with the stipulation that the dice would only add up to either 3 or 9. After the dice had been rolled, the judges were asked to provide a sentence for the woman.
The results of the study were revealing. Judges who rolled a 9, on average, gave the woman an 8-month sentence, while judges who rolled a 3, on average, gave her a 5-month sentence. This discrepancy was not due to differences in the severity of the crime or the circumstances of the case; rather, it was the result of a cognitive bias known as the anchoring effect.
The anchoring effect occurs when people rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive when making decisions. In this case, the loaded dice served as an anchor, influencing the judges’ subsequent judgments about the appropriate sentence for the shoplifter. Even though the dice rolls were entirely random and had no bearing on the case at hand, they nonetheless had a significant impact on the judges’ decisions.
This experiment illustrates the importance of being aware of our cognitive biases, particularly in legal contexts where the consequences of our decisions can be significant. By recognising the potential influence of anchors and other biases, judges and other legal professionals can strive to make more objective and fair-minded decisions.
Learning More about Cognitive Behaviours:
If you’re interested in learning more about cognitive biases and their impact on decision-making, there are numerous resources available.
“Thinking, Fast and Slow” is a book by Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and psychologist, that explores the two modes of thinking: System 1 (fast, intuitive, and emotional) and System 2 (slow, deliberative, and logical). It discusses how these two systems influence our decision-making processes and how biases and heuristics can lead us to make irrational choices.
It’s a highly acclaimed and influential book that has been widely cited and referenced in psychology, economics, and other fields. If you’re interested in learning more about cognitive psychology and decision-making, I’d highly recommend giving it a read.
Is Cognitive Bias Affecting Your Decisions?
A cognitive bias is a flaw in your reasoning that leads you to misinterpret information from the world around you and to come to an inaccurate conclusion. Because you are flooded with information from millions of sources throughout the day, your brain develops ranking systems to decide which information deserves your attention and which information is important enough to store in memory. It also creates shortcuts meant to cut down on the time it takes for you to process information. The problem is that the shortcuts and ranking systems aren’t always perfectly objective because their architecture is uniquely adapted to your life experiences.
Cognitive biases are ingrained in the human psyche, leading us to make decisions and judgments that may not always align with objective reality. These mental shortcuts, developed over time through our experiences, play a significant role in shaping our thoughts and actions without us being consciously aware of it. Three specific cognitive biases, namely cognitive dissonance, the spotlight effect, and the anchoring effect, shed light on how our minds can deceive us and influence our perceptions.
Cognitive Dissonance occurs when we hold conflicting beliefs or attitudes, leading us to reevaluate our views to reduce internal discomfort. By acknowledging this bias, we can strive to address inconsistencies in our beliefs and attain a more coherent and balanced worldview.
The Spotlight Effect causes us to overestimate the extent to which others notice and judge us. Recognising this bias can help us overcome feelings of self-consciousness and alleviate social anxiety, allowing us to interact more confidently in various situations.
The Anchoring Effect shows how the initial information we receive can heavily influence our subsequent decisions. Awareness of this bias can help us make more rational and impartial judgments, especially in critical contexts like the legal system.
What Now for Cognitive Bias?
Understanding and addressing cognitive biases is crucial for making well-informed and rational decisions in both our personal and professional lives. By recognising the presence of these biases, we can take steps to minimise their impact and enhance our critical thinking abilities.
Here are some actionable steps you can take to mitigate the influence of cognitive biases:
- Educate Yourself: Familiarise yourself with various cognitive biases and their implications. Books like “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman offer valuable insights into human decision-making processes.
- Practice Mindfulness: Cultivate self-awareness to identify moments when biases might be affecting your judgments. Mindfulness techniques can help you stay present and vigilant of your thought patterns.
- Seek Diverse Perspectives: Encourage open discussions and seek input from diverse sources to challenge your assumptions and reduce potential biases.
- Question Your Assumptions: Continually question your beliefs and opinions to ensure they are based on evidence and not influenced by cognitive shortcuts.
- Consult Others: When making important decisions, seek input from trusted individuals who can offer unbiased viewpoints and constructive feedback.
By actively working to recognise and counter cognitive biases, we can improve our decision-making processes, foster better relationships, and ultimately lead more fulfilled lives.
Remember, knowledge of cognitive biases empowers us to break free from the invisible shackles that may hinder our growth and understanding of the world. Embrace this knowledge, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and clearer thinking.
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