From the confirmation bias to the halo effect, cognitive biases are everywhere – and affect us far more than we think.
In today’s fast-moving world, we make hundreds of decisions every day — from choosing what to eat, to how we respond to colleagues, to what we believe online. We like to think these decisions are based on logic and reason. After all, with so much practice, surely we are rational beings.
But what if the way we make these decisions isn’t as rational as we think?
Time and again, science has shown us that our choices aren’t just shaped by logic and reason, but also by mental shortcuts that can skew our judgement.
These mental shortcuts are our cognitive biases.
What Are Cognitive Biases?
Whether it’s picking a brand just because it is familiar, dismissing someone else’s point of view for being different from yours, or believing an influencer’s opinions on health are more valuable than the conclusions defined by academic research, cognitive biases are stamped into practically every choice we make.
Cognitive biases are automatic patterns of thinking that influence how we interpret information, remember events, and make choices. They are not always bad. In fact, they help us make rapid decisions in moments where time matters. But in everyday life, they can lead us astray.
And some of the most common ones include:
Confirmation Bias – Focusing on information that supports existing beliefs
This bias is defined by our tendency to search for and interpret information that confirms our present beliefs.
Part of the reason we do this is because our brains are wired to seek comfort in consistency. Looking for opinions that affirm our own helps conserve our mental resources. However, it can also lead to poorer judgement calls, and cause us to “other” people for thinking differently.
Example: Following only news sources or influencers who share your views.
Actor-Observer Bias – Judging ourselves differently from others
This occurs when we attribute our own actions to external factors, yet blame others’ actions on personal traits.
This is often because we don’t have any insider information on someone else’s life, and the assumptions we make can lead to misunderstandings.
Example: You blame a poor work presentation on being unwell, but if your colleague does the same, you think they are lazy.
Hindsight Bias – “I knew it all along”
This involves our tendency to believe, after an event has occurred, that we could have expected the outcome anyway. But this comes from a disposition for misremembering events, such that when we look back on it, we end up reconstructing it in a way that makes the result seem inevitable.
It makes us overestimate our predictive abilities, and can sometimes cause us to take risks we shouldn’t.
Example: After a stock market crash, people claim they “saw it coming.”
Halo Effect
This refers to the tendency for our initial impression of someone to shape our overall opinion of them. Also thought of as the “physical attractiveness stereotype”, and the “what is beautiful is ‘good’ principle”, it highlights the shallowness in all of us.
When we like someone or something, our want to be correct drives us to generalise this positiveness to other attributes, even when they’re unrelated. However, this can distort our judgement.
Example: Assuming someone is kind or intelligent just because they are attractive or confident.
Anchoring Bias
Under this bias, we end up relying too heavily on the first piece of information we encounter when making decisions. The causes behind this are still a mystery, though it could have something to do with priming, and the influential role of mood.
After we make a judgement on an initial reference point, it can be hard to adjust it even when we receive new information, which means we don’t always consider all relevant factors.
Example: If a product first appears at $500, a “discounted” price of $300 seems like a bargain, even if it is objectively overpriced.
Are Cognitive Biases Always Bad?
The thing about cognitive biases is that, as negative as they seem, they’re also necessary for daily functioning. Humans can’t always handle the magnitude of each and every factor that makes up a truly neutral choice – and in some circumstances, such as one that is dangerous, we definitely don’t have the time to meander through our options. It’s our ability to make decisions quickly that can save our lives.
In addition, while some of these biases seem healthy to our psyche, the beliefs we form based on them could also have an adverse effect on our perspectives and self-worth, such as in the case of confirmation bias when we have imposter syndrome.
“As these beliefs become internalised, we are likely to magnify our flaws while minimising or even nullifying our strengths. Consequently, it can feel ludicrous to accept positive affirmations about ourselves,” explained Ms Lisa Tang, a clinical psychologist from Annabelle Psychology, in CNA.
At the end of the day, biases are simply part of the human experience. How we take them – and whether we let them take over – is up to us to decide.
Overcoming Our Own Biases
It’s a hidden instinct for us to lean into our biases, but it doesn’t mean that we’re helplessly caught up in their grasp.
There are proactive actions we can take to guard against flawed judgements, such as:
1. Developing Awareness
Regardless of the perceived integrity of our character, we need to acknowledge that these biases do exist. If you don’t believe it to be an issue in the first place, then you’ll be a lot less accepting of differing points of view, and even incapable of thinking about matters in a different way.
In addition, it could help to consider possible factors that might be influencing a current decision you’re making. Just knowing this could help you make a more informed judgement.
2. Being Open to Different Perspectives
Consider engaging in opportunities or conversations that help expand your mind. There is value in diversity, because it enables us to challenge any preconceived notions that we have, and consider situations in a new light.
3. Practicing Cognitive Flexibility
Before making a quick judgement, pause and fully consider the situation. Understanding that your own perspective is not the only one, and being able to consider different viewpoints can enhance the way you adapt to changing circumstances.
TLDR
Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts that help us make fast decisions but often distort judgement.
Common ones include confirmation bias, actor-observer bias, hindsight bias, the halo effect, and anchoring bias.
Biases are not always harmful, but they can limit thinking, reinforce stereotypes, and affect self-worth.
Building awareness, openness, and flexibility helps us make more balanced decisions.
Maybe we can’t eliminate our biases entirely, but we can at least ensure they’re not completely dictating our decisions.
So the next time you’ve got an opinion forming out of seemingly nowhere, take a moment to ask yourself: Is this based on solid reasoning, or is it just my bias talking?
External References
- Cherry, K. (2024, February 22). 13 Types of Common Cognitive Biases That Might Be Impairing Your Judgment. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/cognitive-biases-distort-thinking-2794763
- Cherry, K. (2024, May 7). How Cognitive Biases Influence the Way You Think and Act. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-cognitive-bias-2794963
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023, May 2). Cognitive Bias 101: What It Is and How To Overcome It. Retrieved from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cognitive-bias
- Lam, N. (2024, September 30). Gen Zen: It may seem small, but here’s how setting passwords with positive messages boosted my confidence. CNA. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/today/mental-health-matters/gen-zen-positive-affirmation-password-4648441
