Cognitive biases
A cognitive bias is a systematic pattern in how people notice, remember, and judge things that drifts from sound reasoning, usually without our noticing. Here are 16 common ones.
- Cognitive Bias
Confirmation Bias
The tendency to search for, interpret, and recall information that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs while giving less attention to information that contradicts them.
- Cognitive Bias
Availability Heuristic
Overestimating the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind.
- Cognitive Bias
Dunning-Kruger Effect
When people with low ability in a specific area overestimate their ability, while experts tend to underestimate their abilities.
- Cognitive Bias
Anchoring Bias
The tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered (the "anchor") when making decisions.
- Cognitive Bias
Fundamental Attribution Error
Attributing others' behaviors to their personality or character while attributing our own behaviors to external circumstances.
- Cognitive Bias
Negativity Bias
Giving more weight to negative experiences or information than positive ones.
- Cognitive Bias
Hindsight Bias
The tendency to perceive past events as having been predictable.
- Cognitive Bias
Sunk Cost Fallacy
Continuing a behavior or endeavor due to previously invested resources (time, money, effort) despite new evidence suggesting it's no longer worthwhile.
- Cognitive Bias
In-Group Bias
Favoring members of one's own group over those in other groups.
- Cognitive Bias
Optimism Bias
Overestimating the likelihood of positive events and underestimating the likelihood of negative events.
- Cognitive Bias
Framing Effect
Drawing different conclusions from the same information when presented differently.
- Cognitive Bias
Self-Serving Bias
Attributing successes to our own abilities while blaming failures on external factors.
- Cognitive Bias
Halo Effect
When one positive trait influences our overall impression of a person or thing.
- Cognitive Bias
Recency Bias
Giving greater importance to more recent information compared to older information.
- Cognitive Bias
Survivorship Bias
Focusing on successful examples while overlooking failures, leading to overly optimistic beliefs.
- Cognitive Bias
Implicit Bias
Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that influence our understanding, actions, and decisions.