Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s essential to make quick decisions, often based on limited information. Our brains have developed shortcuts or “heuristics” to help facilitate this. However, these shortcuts can sometimes lead to cognitive biases—systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment. But what exactly are these biases? And how do they affect our day-to-day decisions?

What is a Cognitive Bias?

Cognitive biases are systematic patterns in thinking that can cause us to deviate from logical or rational judgment. They emerge because our brain, in an attempt to simplify the massive amount of information it receives, uses shortcuts.

Common Types of Cognitive Biases

1. Confirmation Bias: This is the tendency for people to search for, interpret, and recall information that confirms their existing beliefs. For example, if one believes that “all politicians are dishonest,” they’re more likely to remember instances that confirm this belief and ignore those that contradict it.
2. Availability Heuristic: People tend to overestimate the importance of information readily available, typically due to recent exposure. After a plane crash is reported in the news, for instance, people might perceive flying as more dangerous, despite it being statistically safer than driving.
3. Anchoring Bias: This is the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered (the “anchor”) when making decisions. For instance, if you first see a shirt priced at $100, and then another at $50, you’re likely to see the second shirt as cheap.

How Do These Biases Affect Us?

Cognitive biases can influence various aspects of our lives, from trivial decisions like which product to buy, to more significant ones like whom to vote for.

1. Decision Making: Biases can lead to flawed decisions. For example, due to the sunk cost fallacy (the misconception that one should keep investing in a lost cause simply because of the resources already spent), a person might continue investing in a failing project.
2. Interpersonal Relationships: Biases like the fundamental attribution error (attributing others’ behavior to their character rather than situational factors) can strain relationships. For instance, if a friend is late, you might think they’re irresponsible rather than considering external factors that could’ve caused the delay.
3. Professional Life: In the workplace, biases can influence hiring decisions, promotions, and team dynamics. For example, affinity bias (the tendency to favor those who are like us) can lead to a lack of diversity in teams.

Mitigating the Effects of Cognitive Biases

Awareness is the first step in combating cognitive biases. Once we recognize our predispositions, we can work towards addressing them. Some strategies include:

• Diverse perspectives: Surrounding ourselves with a variety of perspectives can help challenge and broaden our viewpoints.
• Pause and Reflect: Before making decisions, take a moment to assess if biases are at play.
• Education: Learning about common cognitive biases can make it easier to identify them in real-life situations.

In conclusion, while cognitive biases are an inherent part of human psychology, by understanding and recognizing them, we can make more informed, rational decisions in our everyday lives.