Human beings perceive reality based on various factors, including those that are, on many occasions, responsible for the distorted way in which we perceive what surrounds us.
What are cognitive biases?
Cognitive biases are nothing more than shortcuts that our mind uses, they are also known as cognitive prejudices. These types of processes occur unconsciously and have the quality of being automatic.
These types of ‘shortcuts’ help us react quickly when making decisions and, although they appear rational, the truth is that it is quite the opposite, since they completely defy logic if we pay attention to them.
How do cognitive biases influence?
According to Concha et al. (2012), our entire lives can be influenced by cognitive biases, as our brain uses these shortcuts to respond quickly to certain situations. But it is necessary to keep in mind that cognitive biases can seriously affect us in a negative way.
Problem-solving abilities can be overshadowed by cognitive biases, distorting the way memories are stored, losing much of the reliability of our ability to remember the things we have experienced.
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They can even affect people’s academic or work performance and, in many cases, are an aggravating factor in problems such as depression and anxiety. Thus, these shortcuts can also affect our personal life and the way we relate to other people.
“We are incapable of unraveling the complexity of the world, so we tell ourselves a simplifying story to be able to decide and reduce the anxiety that we believe is incomprehensible and unpredictable.”, Daniel Kahneman.
Types of cognitive biases
Since they were first described in 1972 by psychology specialists Tversky and Kahneman, more than 100 types of cognitive biases have been described, a number that seems to continue increasing today, so addressing each of them is be a complex task.
However, there are some cognitive prejudices that occur relatively frequently in people. Below we will describe some of them:
Confirmation bias
It is the tendency to seek information that validates what we believe to be true. This bias pushes us to remember, search and, in many cases, interpret certain information based on whether it confirms what we decide to believe.
halo effect
Under this we tend to rate positively people whom we have previously valued for good qualities. This type of bias is widely used as a marketing strategy, using physically attractive people to try to sell a product or service.
Anchor bias
This bias causes us to ‘anchor’ ourselves on certain information, which is generally the first that is presented to us, causing us to completely discard what we are shown later. This causes us not to take other information into account or evaluate it rationally.
Loss aversion
This is one of the most common cognitive biases in which we do not evaluate situations based on the gains we can obtain, limiting ourselves to not acting for fear of a possible loss.
We focus on what we can lose, missing even very good opportunities to make profits.
Selective observation bias
This bias is very common when we have something in mind and then our attention focuses only on it, completely discriminating against the rest of the information. For example, when a woman is pregnant, it is common for her to only notice other pregnant women on the street, completely ignoring the other people around her.
Forer effect
Also know as . It is the tendency to identify with the information that is presented to us even if it is ambiguous.
A perfect example of this effect is what happens with horoscopes, which present ambiguous and sometimes contradictory information; However, people decide to keep only the part they identify with.
Status quo bias
This type of cognitive bias limits people’s decision-making, relegating them to choosing only those alternatives that do not greatly alter their current life. That is, they choose based on keeping their life unchanged.
Hindsight bias
Under this we tend to think that we could foresee things that already happened. We felt it was obvious that we could determine what was going to happen although this may not be true.
Negativity bias
This bias causes us to focus on the bad things in situations or on negative information, completely ignoring the positive things, completely abandoning the neutral perspective of the situation.
Endowment effect
It is a cognitive bias that leads us to give a higher value to things for the simple fact that they are ours or that we have made them ourselves.
This value does not correspond to reality and is usually higher than it should be. This bias is usually seen in people who sell things at a premium just because they are made by themselves.
Reactance
It happens when we do the opposite of what we have been recommended, only as a reactive response to the perception of some type of threat.
It can also be presented if we are offered the freedom to choose. We make impulsive decisions that go against what we are advised.
Zero risk bias
Under this cognitive prejudice we limit our actions in order to limit the risks as much as possible. It can produce a non-action in order to avoid risks.
Blind spot bias
It is a very interesting bias and it makes us think that we are less prone to the effects of cognitive biases than most people may be.
And you, did you know these biases? Do you think you reproduce them without realizing it? What impact do they have on your life? We encourage you to reflect on all this!
References:
- Castillo, MD, & Villar, MDC (2010). Explanatory mechanisms of cognitive biases in anxiety. In Ansiedad Interpsiquis 2010. 11th Virtual Congress of Psychiatry At: http://hdl-. handle. net/10401/1188.
Concha, D., Ramírez, M. Á. B., Cuadra, IG, Rovira, DP, & Rodríguez, AF (2012). Cognitive biases and their relationship with subjective well-being. Health & Society, 3(2), 115-129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22199/S07187475.2012.0002.00001