Self-Reflection - Biases
Related Chapters: Chapter 13 - Cognitive Biases • Chapter 63 - Taming our Biases
Purpose
Our brains are remarkable problem-solving tools, but they were not
designed to be perfectly objective. To help us make quick decisions, they often
rely on mental shortcuts. Most of the time these shortcuts serve us well.
Occasionally, however, they lead us to conclusions that are incomplete,
inaccurate, or unfair.
These thinking habits are known as cognitive biases. They are not
signs of low intelligence. In fact, highly intelligent people experience them
just as everyone else does. The difference often lies in how willing we are to
recognize and question our own thinking.
This reflection isn't about finding out whether you have biases—you do,
as we all do. Its purpose is to help you notice which biases may deserve a
little more of your attention.
Reflection Statements
Scoring:
1 = Rarely 2 = Sometimes 3 = Often 4 = Almost Always
Write your score in the blank preceding each statement.
_______ 1. Before forming an opinion, I intentionally look for credible evidence that challenges my current view.
_______ 2. When I hear about a dramatic event, I resist the urge to overestimate how likely it is to happen again.
_______ 3. My first impression of a person or idea sometimes changes after I learn more.
_______ 4. When someone behaves badly, I usually consider that circumstances may have contributed to their behavior.
_______ 5. I am as willing to question information that supports my beliefs as information that contradicts them.
_______ 6. I recognize when past investments of time, money, or effort make it difficult for me to abandon an unwise course of action.
_______ 7. I recognize that my emotions can influence how I evaluate evidence.
_______ 8. I am comfortable saying, "I don't know," when the evidence is uncertain.
_______ 9. I occasionally discover that I have been more confident than correct.
_______ 10. I make an effort to understand viewpoints different from my own before judging them.
_______ 11. I am willing to change my mind when convincing evidence is presented.
_______ 12. I try to distinguish between what I actually know and what I am merely assuming.
Total Score: ________
One Small Experiment
During the coming week, notice one moment when you feel especially
certain that you are right.
Instead of defending your conclusion immediately, pause and ask yourself:
"What evidence would convince me that I might be mistaken?"
You don't need to change your mind.
Simply become curious about your own thinking.
Understanding the Questions
|
Question |
Primary Bias |
A Helpful Counter-Habit |
|
1 |
Confirmation Bias |
Look for credible evidence that
challenges your conclusion. |
|
2 |
Availability Heuristic |
Ask whether memorable examples
represent typical reality. |
|
3 |
Halo Effect / First-Impression Bias |
Delay final judgments until you have
more information. |
|
4 |
Fundamental Attribution Error |
Consider circumstances before
judging character. |
|
5 |
Confirmation Bias |
Hold supporting and opposing
evidence to the same standard. |
|
6 |
Sunk Cost Fallacy |
Base decisions on future value
rather than past investment. |
|
7 |
Affect Heuristic |
Notice when strong emotions are
influencing your judgment. |
|
8 |
Overconfidence Effect |
Become comfortable with uncertainty. |
|
9 |
Hindsight & Overconfidence |
Treat mistakes as opportunities to
improve your thinking. |
|
10 |
In-group Bias |
Seek to understand before
evaluating. |
|
11 |
Belief Perseverance |
Let evidence, rather than identity,
guide your conclusions. |
|
12 |
Jumping to Conclusions |
Separate observations from
assumptions. |
Reflection Notes (Optional)
Use this space to capture any thoughts, insights, questions, surprises, or intentions that came to mind while completing this reflection.
Final Reflection
Biases are not flaws in a few unfortunate people—they are part of being
human. They developed because they often helped our ancestors make quick
decisions in an uncertain world. Today, however, many of our most important
decisions benefit from something our ancestors had less opportunity to
practice: slowing down, asking better questions, and remaining open to new
evidence.
Perhaps wisdom is not the absence of bias, but the willingness to
recognize that none of us sees the world with perfect objectivity.