The Science of Cognitive Bias
The mental shortcuts that usually help and sometimes mislead. A route through the most common biases and how to think past them.
9 steps · roughly 27 minutes to read · Reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA
Cognitive Miser
We default to the cheapest thinking that seems good enough for the moment.
Confirmation Bias
Beliefs often shape attention before evidence shapes beliefs.
Anchoring Bias
The first number, idea, or impression often influences everything that follows.
Availability Heuristic
The easiest memory isn't always the best estimate.
Negativity Bias
The brain naturally overweights potential threats.
Hindsight Bias
Knowing the outcome changes how we remember uncertainty.
Overconfidence Effect
Our certainty runs ahead of our accuracy, especially on hard questions.
Dunning-Kruger Effect
The skill you lack can be the same skill you would need to notice you lack it.
Clinical Debiasing
Question your first conclusion.