What do you know about cognitive biases? We make many decisions in our daily lives. Most of them quickly, almost without thinking. The truth is that we rarely assess the consequences that each of the options we have in mind would have, if we chose them as a solution.
At other times, especially when we think decisions are important, we evaluate the information we have to find the best option, however, cognitive biases that influence the solutions we imagine and give are barely taken into account in decision-making, these prejudices are dangerous. because they can lead us to make unrealistic decisions.
- However.
- Cognitive and heuristic biases are not bad.
- It could be said that they are somewhat mental shortcuts (sometimes a bit complicated).
- In that sense we say that they are shortcuts because we use them to save cognitive resources (mental energy).
For example, if every time I go to a bar, I spend half an hour thinking about which drink will be the most suitable, evaluating each of its components separately and together, I will end up getting tired and wasting the time I could invest in. Therefore, heuristics and cognitive biases will accelerate our thinking, saving resources that we will use for other more important tasks.
According to Daniel Kahneman, there are two ways to think. Does this author place both forms of thought in two systems he calls?Think fast and “think slowly. ” The first system, by which we think fast, is automatic, this system usually works below our level of consciousness, emotions greatly influence this type of thinking and often lead to stereotypical thoughts, its function is to generate intuitions that can help us, but also betray us.
The second system is slow reflection, this type of thinking is less frequent and requires more effort, this thought is given consciously, unlike a fast, logical and calculating thought, its main function is to make the final decisions, after observing and controlling. the intuitions of quick thinking.
The first system tends to be more dominant. On the other hand, the second system tends to be more vague, usually we allow ourselves to be guided by rapid reflection, a trend that can have negative repercussions, such as reaching hasty conclusions, exaggerating the effect of first impressions, confusing causal relationships, and relying excessively on data that is already known (regardless of other data also available).
A heuristic is seen as a shortcut to active mental processes and is therefore a measure that saves mental resources. Because our cognitive (mental) ability is limited, we share resources, dedicating more resources to elements that require greater mental work such as worries, activities, people, etc.
We can walk without paying attention, but if the road is uneven and we believe we can stumble and fall, we will give you more cognitive resources, attention and look where we are going. Among the existing heuristics, some of the most important are:
Cognitive biases are psychological effects that distort thoughts, like heuristics, biases have the function of saving cognitive resources, although they can lead us to mistakes that can be serious, leading us in some contexts to make faster and more effective decisions. the most well-known cognitive biases are:
Knowing cognitive and heuristic biases will make us more effective in making decisions, although biases are difficult to avoid, sometimes impossible, can be reduced by knowing how they work, evaluating all alternatives, and seeking information that supports and contradicts our initial beliefs is one way In addition, avoiding prejudice can make our thinking much more creative.