25 more cognitive biases Elon Musk thinks every kid should learn:
Yesterday, I shared 25 cognitive biases Elon Musk thinks every kid should learn (Part 1).
In 24 hours, it’s been liked 7,200+ times.
I’ve linked that below in case you missed it.
Today is Part 2—the next 25.
Enjoy!
In 24 hours, it’s been liked 7,200+ times.
I’ve linked that below in case you missed it.
Today is Part 2—the next 25.
Enjoy!
False Memory
Remembering things differently from how they actually happened.
Example: You insist that the Monopoly man has a monocle.
Remembering things differently from how they actually happened.
Example: You insist that the Monopoly man has a monocle.
Declinism
We think nostalgically about the past and see the world going downhill from there.
Example: “Back then, we never even thought about locking our doors!”
We think nostalgically about the past and see the world going downhill from there.
Example: “Back then, we never even thought about locking our doors!”
Availability Cascade
Collective beliefs grow stronger the more people parrot them.
Example: A study linking vaccines to autism (despite being disproven) compels many to avoid them altogether.
Collective beliefs grow stronger the more people parrot them.
Example: A study linking vaccines to autism (despite being disproven) compels many to avoid them altogether.
Status Quo Bias
We take comfort in consistency and see any disruption as a burden.
Example: Despite being in a toxic relationship, Jack doesn’t want to go through the trouble of breaking up (and going on first dates again).
We take comfort in consistency and see any disruption as a burden.
Example: Despite being in a toxic relationship, Jack doesn’t want to go through the trouble of breaking up (and going on first dates again).
Sunk-Cost Fallacy (aka Escalation of Commitment)
We’re reluctant to pivot from a strategy in which we’ve already invested so much time and energy.
Example: You keep watching the movie or reading the book even though it sucks.
We’re reluctant to pivot from a strategy in which we’ve already invested so much time and energy.
Example: You keep watching the movie or reading the book even though it sucks.
Gambler’s Fallacy
Believing a random event is more or less likely to happen based on preceding events.
Example: The roulette ball landed on black the last four times, so you decide to put everything on red.
Believing a random event is more or less likely to happen based on preceding events.
Example: The roulette ball landed on black the last four times, so you decide to put everything on red.
Zero-Risk Bias
We would rather nip small risks in the bud even when another strategy would mitigate overall risk.
Example: You opt for that sugar-free soda, not realizing the artificial sweeteners it contains might actually be worse for you.
We would rather nip small risks in the bud even when another strategy would mitigate overall risk.
Example: You opt for that sugar-free soda, not realizing the artificial sweeteners it contains might actually be worse for you.
Framing Effect
The tendency to interpret the same information differently depending on context.
Example: You perceive wine as better tasting when it’s served in a crystal glass versus a plastic cup
The tendency to interpret the same information differently depending on context.
Example: You perceive wine as better tasting when it’s served in a crystal glass versus a plastic cup
Stereotyping
We fall back on surface-level beliefs about a group instead of looking at individuals within that group.
Example: “That guy with the tie-dye T-shirt must be a pothead.”
We fall back on surface-level beliefs about a group instead of looking at individuals within that group.
Example: “That guy with the tie-dye T-shirt must be a pothead.”
Outgroup Homogeneity Bias
We view our ingroups as diverse and outgroups as all the same.
Example: Brad doesn’t own a gun and assumes anyone who does has violent tendencies.
We view our ingroups as diverse and outgroups as all the same.
Example: Brad doesn’t own a gun and assumes anyone who does has violent tendencies.
Authority Bias
The tendency to put our faith in authority figures.
Example: “The President said it, so it must be true!”
The tendency to put our faith in authority figures.
Example: “The President said it, so it must be true!”
Placebo Effect
The power of the mind to bring about the desired effect from an ineffective treatment.
Example: In a clinical trial, 80% of those who took a sugar pill reported signs of improvement.
The power of the mind to bring about the desired effect from an ineffective treatment.
Example: In a clinical trial, 80% of those who took a sugar pill reported signs of improvement.
Survivorship Bias
Focusing on successes and ignoring failures.
Example: You assume entrepreneurship is easy because all you see are successful founders in magazines.
Focusing on successes and ignoring failures.
Example: You assume entrepreneurship is easy because all you see are successful founders in magazines.
Tachypsychia
We perceive time differently when under stress or trauma.
Example: “When the robber pulled a gun on me, everything seemed to stop.”
We perceive time differently when under stress or trauma.
Example: “When the robber pulled a gun on me, everything seemed to stop.”
Law of Triviality
We spend inordinate amounts of time and effort on trivial issues while ignoring the ones that matter.
Example: The mayor devotes an entire committee to keeping the sidewalk clean but does nothing to help the homeless.
We spend inordinate amounts of time and effort on trivial issues while ignoring the ones that matter.
Example: The mayor devotes an entire committee to keeping the sidewalk clean but does nothing to help the homeless.
Zeigarnik Effect
We tend to recall interrupted tasks more than completed ones.
Example: Despite earning perfect marks in his annual company review, Bill fixates on that one project he dropped the ball on and feels guilty every time he comes to work.
We tend to recall interrupted tasks more than completed ones.
Example: Despite earning perfect marks in his annual company review, Bill fixates on that one project he dropped the ball on and feels guilty every time he comes to work.
IKEA Effect
We tend to value things more when we have a part in their creation.
Example: “Isn’t this a beautiful coffee table? I put it together myself!”
We tend to value things more when we have a part in their creation.
Example: “Isn’t this a beautiful coffee table? I put it together myself!”
Ben Franklin Effect
Doing a favor for someone else makes us more likely to do more versus returning a favor they did for us.
Example: You didn’t like Brad at first, but after he asked for your advice, you've been looking for more ways to help him.
Doing a favor for someone else makes us more likely to do more versus returning a favor they did for us.
Example: You didn’t like Brad at first, but after he asked for your advice, you've been looking for more ways to help him.
Bystander Effect
We are less likely to intervene in a bad situation when there are more people around.
Example: Everyone just watched instead of calling 911 when the bar fight turned ugly.
We are less likely to intervene in a bad situation when there are more people around.
Example: Everyone just watched instead of calling 911 when the bar fight turned ugly.
Suggestibility
When your self-perception changes in response to a leading question.
Example: You call in sick from work, and your boss asks, “How did you get COVID?”
When your self-perception changes in response to a leading question.
Example: You call in sick from work, and your boss asks, “How did you get COVID?”
Clustering Illusion
Our tendency to see patterns in randomness.
Example: “That cloud looks like a rider on horseback.”
Our tendency to see patterns in randomness.
Example: “That cloud looks like a rider on horseback.”
Pessimism Bias
The overestimation that only bad things will happen.
Example: “It can only get worse from here!”
The overestimation that only bad things will happen.
Example: “It can only get worse from here!”
Optimism Bias
The overestimation that only good things will happen.
Example: “It can only get better from here!”
The overestimation that only good things will happen.
Example: “It can only get better from here!”
Cryptomnesia
Insisting that real memories are just figments of your imagination.
Example: Bill thinks he’s created the perfect slogan, forgetting that he heard it on TV.
Insisting that real memories are just figments of your imagination.
Example: Bill thinks he’s created the perfect slogan, forgetting that he heard it on TV.
Blind Spot Bias
We call others out for biases while insisting we have none.
Example: “I’m not biased; you are.”
We call others out for biases while insisting we have none.
Example: “I’m not biased; you are.”
Those were 25 more cognitive biases Elon Musk thinks every kid should learn.
If you learned something here, please RT the first tweet. Together, we can help the world think better!
Also, follow me @systemsunday
Tomorrow you'll get my favorite thread yet.
All systems go,
Ben
If you learned something here, please RT the first tweet. Together, we can help the world think better!
Also, follow me @systemsunday
Tomorrow you'll get my favorite thread yet.
All systems go,
Ben
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