SERIES: 24 BIASES OF THE MIND PART 2

G’day friends!

Welcome back to the second part of last week’s 24 BIASES OF THE MIND series.

**Tip: Underlined sections are links.

This week, I bring you another 12 biases we battle with daily. You can catch up on last week’s 12 BIASES OF THE MIND here if you missed it.

While we experience biases in different capacities, strengths, and times in life––no one is immune.

If you want to read more about one philosophers take on this, consider exploring Thomas Nagel, who I often mention, as he discusses the importance of objectivity but also that the human cannot ‘view from nowhere’, suggesting no neutral standpoint.

By the way, when I tell you to read an idea, it is just one person’s idea and perspective based on a rationale they have decided to use. It is up to the reader to approach information in a responsible way. Biggest tip, as long as it is coming from someone who seems to be logical and reasonable, try not to reject, try to reflect.

If you want to be a better thinker, you need to get behind, around, and under ideas and thoughts. To do this, you need to read more. This may sound complicated and time-intensive, but interestingly the more you realise how little you know the more flexible and open-minded you become, thus enhancing your intelligence!

We often make time for what we prioritise and reading should be right up there near the top.

Rigidity with thinking correlates with lower emotional intelligence (EQ) which affects social interactions and general well-being. Understanding diverse ways of thinking will make you a better critical thinker. You can improve your EQ btw; read more on EQ here.

Now let’s get into the remaining 12 biases:

13. Backfire Effect

Definition: Strengthening one's preexisting beliefs when presented with evidence that contradicts them.

We often witness the backfire effect online, where initial comments provoke reactions that escalate into resistance and contempt through subsequent exchanges. Despite the validity of counterarguments, individuals refuse to entertain reasoning behind the pushback. When our beliefs are challenged, discomfort arises, presenting an opportunity for critical thinking. For instance, when confronted with evidence that challenges a political stance, supporters often become more entrenched in their views. This phenomenon is increasingly evident among both the extreme left and right factions from the English-speaking West, shaping global politics towards more extreme positions.

14. Dunning-Kruger Effect

Definition: The phenomenon where people with low ability at a task overestimate their ability.

An illustrative instance would be a novice chess player who, after winning a few games against other beginners, perceives themselves as highly skilled. Similarly, it can manifest when individuals offer advice on topics or skills they lack success or experience in. Those affected by this bias often exhibit unwavering confidence and lack transparency about their limitations. They may not recognise when conversing with someone more knowledgeable. This bias affects individuals across various expertise levels, including those highly regarded in their specific fields. There's a critical juncture where even supposedly qualified individuals, such as scientists, may fall prey to believing they are all-knowing, potentially overlooking crucial information due to human tendencies towards self-assurance and ego.

15. Curse of Knowledge

Definition: Assuming others share the same background knowledge as oneself.

When a doctor explains a technical concept using jargon to a patient who doesn’t understand. This is common in medical settings where doctors may be disconnected from everyday language. It often widens the gap between doctor and patient, with the patient often remaining silent due to the disparity in knowledge. People with higher emotional intelligence (EQ) are generally better at simplifying complex ideas and being aware of the other person's perspective. Conversely, those with lower EQ may unintentionally use jargon without considering the listener's understanding. This creates a communication barrier where valuable information can be lost because people disengage when they don’t grasp the message.

16. Belief Bias

Definition: Assessing the strength of arguments based on how believable their conclusions are, rather than on the quality of their reasoning.

People may accept a weak argument if it aligns with a conclusion they already believe in. This tendency also ties into self-serving bias, where individuals are inclined to favor information that supports their existing beliefs. Consequently, when presented with supporting evidence, individuals tend to reinforce their beliefs even if the logical basis or the credibility of the evidence is weak. In contrast, a critical thinker evaluates arguments based on their logic and evidence, remaining open to revising their beliefs when presented with compelling reasoning.

17. Negativity Bias

Definition: The inclination to pay more attention to negative experiences over positive ones.

Focusing on a single negative comment about a presentation, despite receiving numerous positive remarks. Alternatively, consistently viewing life through a negative lens, ignoring the many positive aspects. This mindset is often summed up by the metaphor of seeing the glass as half empty rather than half full. Negativity bias significantly influences the mind, potentially leading to nihilism and depression when one habitually interprets the world as worsening and problematic. This negative feedback loop not only makes individuals challenging to engage with but also intensifies their biases.

18. Optimism Bias

Definition: Overestimating the likelihood of positive events happening to oneself.

We all know someone like this—charming, positive, and always bringing life to any gathering. However, they often find themselves in sticky situations because they tend to underestimate potential risks. For instance, believing they are less likely to have a car accident than others with the same risk factors, leading to lax vehicle maintenance. Similarly, assuming their relationship will always thrive may cause them to overlook serious issues that could threaten its stability. Couples, too, might underestimate the possibility of divorce despite clear signs of relationship strain. Being aware of this bias helps individuals curb overconfidence and make more realistic, balanced decisions in life.

19. Pessimism Bias

Definition: Overestimating the likelihood of negative events happening to oneself.

Assuming you will fail an exam despite adequate preparation, which leads to anxiety, loss of sleep, and potentially creates other problems that hinder your performance. People may also believe they cannot improve their intellect due to age, personal history, or general pessimism, resulting in less time spent reading or learning new things. Fear that a partner will leave might lead to self-fulfilling prophecies through negative behaviors and lack of trust. This bias reduces the experience of life's positive aspects and discourages learning and personal advancement by avoiding new experiences. Pessimistic people also are less likely to believe in logical facts.

20. Reactance

Definition: The tendency to do the opposite of what someone wants you to do due to perceived restrictions on freedom.

Reactance manifests in various ways; some individuals are more resistant and rebellious than others, influenced by multiple factors. For instance, in politically turbulent societies, people may engage in activism as a form of rebellion against perceived oppression. Teenagers, seeking independence, might defy parental advice or requests to assert their autonomy. Persistent and insistent messaging on a particular issue can also provoke reactance, causing recipients to ignore or oppose the request out of irritation. Reactance can impede critical thinking by fostering resistance to new information or perspectives.

21. Spotlight Effect

Definition: Overestimating how much others notice and judge our actions.

Example: Feeling self-conscious and believing everyone is staring at a small stain on your shirt. Individuals affected by this bias are often overly concerned with how others perceive them, leading to anxiety and distraction from more important matters. Fear of judgment may prevent someone from sharing innovative or valuable ideas, missing opportunities to develop and refine their thoughts. It's important to remember that, in reality, people are generally focused on their own concerns and perceptions and you are not that important. Overcoming this fear allows one to progress more effectively and seize opportunities that self-doubt might otherwise debilitatingly hinder.

22. Sunk-Cost Fallacy

Definition: The tendency to persist with a behavior or choice despite knowing it has not been fruitful in the past.

Originating from the financial sector, this fallacy influences everyday decisions. An example is someone continuing to study a subject they've lost interest in simply because they've already invested significant time. Eventually, they may quit or lose motivation to pursue a career in that field, setting themselves back further than if they had made a different decision earlier. This bias leads people to make irrational choices based on emotions and past investments, rather than objectively evaluating present and future benefits.

23. Groupthink

Definition: The practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility.

We witness this phenomenon daily on the internet. It also manifests in real-life scenarios, such as within families or social groups with strong collective values that expect adherence from all members. This trend is particularly pronounced online, where increasing numbers of people, feeling isolated in the physical world, seek connection in virtual 'social' groups. Upon joining, individuals often adopt the group's ideology to fit in, fearing repercussions like being 'cancelled' or deleted if they diverge from groupthink. Hesitating to voice oppositional views is a sign that you are potentially susceptible to groupthink or part of a group that is at risk of that. Groupthink stifles diverse opinions and inhibits the generation of new ideas crucial for advancing intellectual content and critical thinking.

24. Halo Effect

Definition: This bias is where our overall impression of someone influences how we feel about their specific qualities, abilities, or behaviours.

When we hold someone in high regard, we tend to overlook their faults. This perception can be advantageous or detrimental. It explains why dressing well for an interview or meeting our partner's parents is crucial; initial impressions strongly influence perceptions. Individuals who articulate themselves well and exude confidence may be perceived as more capable, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. While first impressions matter, this bias can lead to problems when we inaccurately assume someone's innocence or competence based solely on our subjective admiration for them. It's important to critically assess people we admire, acknowledging that even those we hold in high esteem make mistakes and exhibit behaviors that may not align with our expectations. True critical thinking requires us to approach such assessments impartially and without bias.

I hope you enjoyed reflecting on these automatic defaults we tackle daily. If we know about this, we become less uptight about what we expect. We are flawed and there is nothing wrong with that. Actually, it is a fact. LOL.

I teach you this because the more you understand yourself, the better position you are to convince others to listen to you. Becoming a good thinker can only be known when you can effectively communicate your “good“ thoughts.

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Until next Sunday, take care.

Dr. Esha.