The Limits of Intelligence Analysis

What are the cognitive limitations?

Perception, mindset and bias

What is Perception?

Active process that allows us to “construct reality”. Allows us to deal with massive amounts of information. Influenced by our past experiences, professional training, and culture. How we think about the world around us.

What is mindset? 

The lens through which analysis see the world. Based on beliefs, assumptions, and concepts of the world. New information is put into context based on our past experiences. Very resistant to change. 

What is the role of mindset in analysis?

Information can be discounted, misinterpreted, ignored, rejected, overlooked because it doesn’t fit into the pre-existing mental model