Only the bias is biased

Cognitive bias is a phenomenon that occurs when our brain processes information in a way that is systematically different from the way a rational, unbiased mind would. These biases can affect our decision-making, our perceptions and our memory, and they can have a significant impact on our lives.

Types of bias

There are many different types of cognitive biases, and they can be grouped into several categories. Some common types of cognitive biases include:

• Confirmation bias: This is the tendency to seek out and give more weight to information that confirms our preexisting beliefs and assumptions. This bias can lead us to ignore or downplay evidence that contradicts our beliefs, and it can make it difficult for us to change our minds even when presented with new or conflicting information.

• Anchoring bias: This is the tendency to give too much weight to the first piece of information we receive, even if it is not necessarily relevant or accurate. For example, if we are asked to estimate the number of jelly beans in a jar and are first told that there are 50, we may anchor our subsequent estimates to that initial number, even if it is not a reasonable estimate.

• Framing effect: This is the way in which the way a problem or situation is presented can influence our decision-making. For example, if we are asked whether we would rather have a 60% chance of winning $100 or a 40% chance of winning $150, we may choose the first option because it is framed in terms of probability, even though the second option is clearly a better deal.

• Representativeness bias: This is the tendency to judge the likelihood of an event based on how closely it resembles our mental concept of that event, rather than on statistical analysis. For example, if we are asked to estimate the likelihood that a person is a doctor based on the fact that they are wearing a white coat and carrying a stethoscope, we may judge that the probability is high, even though there are many other professions that also involve wearing a white coat and using a stethoscope.

Perceval and Karadoc - Kaamelott

These are just a few examples of the many cognitive biases that can influence our thinking and decision-making. Other common biases include the availability heuristic (the tendency to judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily we can recall similar events), the sunk cost fallacy (the tendency to continue investing in a project or course of action because of the resources we have already invested), and the halo effect (the tendency to judge a person or thing more favorably based on one positive characteristic).

Impact of bias

Cognitive biases can have a significant impact on our lives and decision-making, and they can lead us to make judgments that are not based on accurate or objective information. For example, confirmation bias can make it difficult for us to accept new or conflicting information, even when it is supported by evidence, and the sunk cost fallacy can lead us to continue investing in a project even when it is not likely to be successful.

It is important to be aware of these biases and to try to correct for them as much as possible in order to make more informed and rational decisions. There are several strategies that can help us to mitigate the effects of cognitive bias, including seeking out diverse sources of information, questioning our assumptions and beliefs, and using tools like decision trees and cost-benefit analysis to help us make more objective decisions.

Double Impact

By understanding the ways in which our brains can distort or simplify information, we can work to overcome cognitive bias and make more informed and rational decisions. This is important not only for our personal lives, but also for the many complex problems and challenges we face as a society.

Cognitive biases can have a significant impact on how we evaluate and make decisions about risks. The availability heuristic, for example, can lead us to overestimate the likelihood of rare or highly publicized events, such as plane crashes or terrorist attacks. This can lead us to make decisions that are not based on a realistic assessment of the risks we face, and it can also affect public policy and resource allocation.

Cognitive biases can also have an impact on how we perceive and remember events and experiences. For example, the misinformation effect is the tendency for new information to overwrite or distort our memories of events. This can have serious consequences in legal settings, where eyewitness testimony is often an important piece of evidence.

What next?

There is a growing body of research on cognitive biases and how to mitigate their effects, and there are several strategies that can help us to make more informed and rational decisions. These include:

• Seeking out diverse sources of information: By exposing ourselves to a wide range of perspectives and viewpoints, we can help to mitigate the effects of confirmation bias and other biases that can distort our perceptions.

• Questioning our assumptions and beliefs: By actively questioning our own assumptions and beliefs, we can help to identify and correct for biases that might otherwise distort our thinking.

• Using tools like decision trees and cost-benefit analysis: These tools can help us to make more objective and unbiased decisions by forcing us to consider multiple factors and to weigh the pros and cons of different options.

Overall, it is important to be aware of the ways in which our brains can distort or simplify information, and to take steps to correct for these biases in order to make more informed and rational decisions. By understanding and addressing cognitive biases, we can improve our decision-making and increase our chances of success in both our personal and professional lives.

Conclusion

Inspired by one of my extra-professional presentations during a monthly event at Enyx, I decided to try the ChatGPT experiment on the theme of cognitive bias. The question? “Rédige un article de 20000 caractères sur le biais cognitif en anglais” in French, as-is. What do you think of the result?