Cognitive Bias
Cognitive bias is a phenomenon in which a person’s perception of reality is distorted by their own preconceptions and beliefs. It is a form of cognitive distortion that can lead to inaccurate judgments and decisions. Cognitive biases can be caused by a variety of factors, including personal experiences, cultural influences, and even the media. Cognitive biases can lead to a variety of errors in judgment, such as overconfidence, confirmation bias, and the availability heuristic.
History of Cognitive Bias
The concept of cognitive bias was first introduced by psychologist Amos Tversky and economist Daniel Kahneman in the 1970s. They argued that people often make decisions based on their own preconceptions and beliefs, rather than on objective facts. This phenomenon is known as cognitive bias. Since then, cognitive bias has been studied extensively in the fields of psychology, economics, and decision-making.
Comparison Table
| Type of Bias | Description |
|---|---|
| Confirmation Bias | The tendency to search for, interpret, or recall information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions. |
| Availability Heuristic | The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of an event occurring based on how easily it can be recalled. |
| Anchoring Bias | The tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions. |
Summary
Cognitive bias is a phenomenon in which a person’s perception of reality is distorted by their own preconceptions and beliefs. It is a form of cognitive distortion that can lead to inaccurate judgments and decisions. Cognitive biases can be caused by a variety of factors, including personal experiences, cultural influences, and even the media. To learn more about cognitive bias, visit websites such as Psychology Today, Harvard Business Review, and the American Psychological Association.
See Also
- Confirmation Bias
- Availability Heuristic
- Anchoring Bias
- Hindsight Bias
- Framing Effect
- Representativeness Heuristic
- Status Quo Bias
- Outcome Bias
- Overconfidence Bias
- Illusion of Control
