cognitivebias

Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment. They are often a result of the brain's attempt to simplify information processing. These biases influence our perceptions, decisions, and behaviors, and can lead to errors in thinking. They are not necessarily a sign of intellectual deficiency but rather a reflection of how the human mind operates.

Numerous cognitive biases have been identified. Confirmation bias, for instance, is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses. The availability heuristic is another common bias, where people overestimate the likelihood of events with greater "availability" in memory, often due to vividness or recent exposure. Anchoring bias occurs when individuals rely too heavily on the first piece of information offered (the "anchor") when making decisions.

These biases can affect decision-making in various contexts, including personal finance, medical diagnoses, legal judgments, and everyday social interactions. Understanding cognitive biases is important for critical thinking and for mitigating their influence on our judgments and actions. While completely eliminating them is difficult, awareness can help individuals make more rational and objective decisions.