Cognitive biases

Cognitive biases are systematic shortcuts and distortions in thinking that influence the evaluation of information, people, and decisions.

Definition

Cognitive biases result from, among others: from limited attention, memory, emotions, the need for coherence and quick conclusions. They help quickly simplify the world, but they can lead to mistakes: overestimating one's right, confirming beliefs, ignoring contradictory data, or judging based on first impressions.

Key ideas

  1. Skróty myślowe
  2. Systematyczne zniekształcenia
  3. Wpływ na decyzje

Practice and life

When making an important decision, ask: What cognitive error might I be missing here? Check especially the confirmation of your own thesis and the effect of the first impression.

Common misunderstanding

It is a mistake to think that cognitive biases only affect others. It is also a mistake to try to disable shortcuts completely instead of monitoring them.

Questions for self-reflection

  • Jaki skrót myślowy może działać w tej sytuacji?
  • Jakie dane pomijam?
  • Co powiedziałaby osoba o innym założeniu?

Sources