Psych - cognitive bias (anchor & confirmation bias)

cognitive bias

a systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment. Individuals create their own "subjective reality" from their perception of the input

What are two kinds of cognitive bias?

• anchor bias

• confirmation bias

anchor bias

The tendency to be overly influenced by the first piece of information that we hear.

Why do we use anchoring bias?

To simplify complex decisions, especially when information is lacking + save cognitive energy

What is the decoy effect? (TBD)

a psychological phenomenon where a person's preference between two options changes after a third, "asymmetrically dominated" option is introduced

What is an example of anchor bias, using a decoy effect?

a 69-dollar dog makes an 18-dollar burger seem reasonable

What are two studies that demonstrate anchor bias?

• Tversky & Kahnemann (1974)

• Strack and Mussweiler (1997)

Describe the Tversky & Kahnemann (1974) study

Students were asked to find the multiples of 1-8 or 8-1. Ascending group has a lower median of 512 than the descending group, with a median estimate of 2250

Describe Strack & Mussweiler’s (1997) study

aim: test the influence of anchoring on decision-making

• High school students at a canteen in the US

• Two conditions: Did Gandhi die before or after 9? / ‘’140?

• Low anchor had lower estimate but seemed more influential - prob bc high anchor was seen as impossible, not implausible

confirmation bias

The tendency to give greater focus and credibility to information that conforms with one’s existing beliefs or theory

2 reasons why we use confirmation bias

• Lower cognitive load + avoid cognitive dissonance → confirmation is easier than constant questioning

• Self-validation → protect self-esteem and worldview

Name the three processes involved in confirmation bias

• selective exposure

• selective perception

• selective retention

define selective exposure and give an example

• People’s tendency to favor information that reinforces existing beliefs and attitudes, while actively avoiding contradictory information

• ex. Avoiding a liberal news channel bc they are conservative

define selective perception and give an example

• Perception of a situation through the filter of their existing beliefs or expectations

• ex. If a strong student says something incorrectly, the teacher might take it as a sign of their risk-taking, not being unprepared for class.

define selective retention and give an example

• people have a higher likelihood of remembering info that is consistent with their interests, values, and beliefs, not those that contrast

• ex. remembering only the good memories of high school, while forgetting negative ones (nostalgia)

Name a study that demonstrates confirmation bias

Lord, Ross, and Lepper (1979)

Describe the Lord, Ross, and Lepper (1979) study

• Stanford University, 48 undergrads

• Two false studies: one provided data in support of the argument that capital punishment deters crime, the other that it had no measurable effect

• Findings: pre-existing opinions heavily influenced responses to studies. Both groups felt more committed to their original positions → polarization

What are examples of confirmation bias in daily life?

• social media: ppl are more likely to see and engage with posts that align with existing views → echo chamber of belief reinforcement

• personal judgement: seeing someone as “annoying” leads you to notice every annoying thing they do and dismiss helpful actions

• product buying: only looking at reviews that align with what you’re interested in