Types of Cognitive Biases - Logic Fundamentals: What's a Good Argument? | PHIL 1105 - Week 1 Readings

What is the Bandwagon Effect?

The tendency to think or act in ways because other people do.

Ex. People buying apple phones because of its popularity.

What is the Confirmation Bias?

The inclination to seek out information that supports our own preconceived notions.

Ex. Following shows/podcasts that support or reinforce our political views.

What is the illusion of control?

The tendency to believe that we have more control over a situation than we actually do.

What is the semmelweis reflex?

The predisposition to deny new information that challenges our established views.

What is the causation bias?

The tendency to assume a cause-effect relationship in situations in which none exists.

Ex. Believing that someone is angry with you because they haven’t responded to your email.

What is the overconfidence effect?

Having unwarranted confidence in one’s own knowledge.

What is the false consensus effect?

The inclination to believe that others agree with you more than they actually do.

What is the fundamental attribution error?

The tendency to attribute other people’s behavior to their personalities and our behavior to the situation.

Ex. Saying that someone mistreats you because they are a jerk but you treat someone bad because you had a bad day.