“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes. Including you.”

-Ann Lamott,

bestselling author of Bird-by-Bird

Today’s Big Idea:

Examining Bias Types

After this Spark, you’ll have a better understanding of:

• Why we fall into bias traps.
  
  
• What the different types of biases are.
  
  
• How these biases “trap” us into a certain pattern of thinking.
  

Why are humans susceptible to bias traps?

Bias traps are patterns of thinking or decision-making that are influenced by unconscious biases, stereotypes, or assumptions.

People are prone to falling into bias traps due to the way our brains process information. We rely on shortcuts and patterns to quickly process information, which can lead to biases that are often unconscious and automatic. 

Additionally, our personal experiences and backgrounds can influence our biases, leading to a skewed perception of reality.

Understanding our biases

Hear author Anne Chow talk about one particular bias trap she tends to be most prone to:

Society-reinforced biases

Biases are often reinforced by societal and cultural messages, which can create stereotypes and prejudice that we may not even be aware of.

For example, the media often perpetuates the idea that men are better at math and science while women are better at nurturing and communication. This reinforces gender biases and can lead to discrimination in education and employment.

Confirmation bias

Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency of individuals to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms their existing beliefs, while disregarding or dismissing information that contradicts their beliefs.

Anchoring bias

Anchoring bias refers to the cognitive phenomenon where individuals tend to rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive (the "anchor") when making subsequent decisions.

This can lead to a systematic error in judgment, where the anchor unduly influences the final decision.

In-group bias

In-group bias, also known as in-group favoritism, is a phenomenon where people have a tendency to favor, trust, and show more favorable treatment towards members of their own group, or "in-group." 

Pause and Reflect

Do you recognize any of these types of biases? Have you ever been subjected to them? Looking back, have you ever made decisions through the lens of these biases? 

Nothing to do now. Put that thought in your back pocket - it will come in handy later.

Negativity bias

Negativity bias is the phenomenon where people have a tendency to give more weight to negative information, experiences, and emotions than to positive ones.

Leaders who are prone to negativity bias may focus more on problems and flaws, rather than strengths and opportunities, and may be more critical of employees and their work. 

Attribution bias

Attribution bias refers to the tendency to make assumptions about the cause of someone's behavior based on limited or incomplete information. 

It can lead people to make assumptions about an individual based on their appearance, background, or behavior, rather than on their abilities or accomplishments.

We attribute a person's behavior to their character without taking into account the limitations and constraints within which the person might be operating. 

Sunk-cost bias

Sunk-cost bias refers to a cognitive bias that occurs when individuals make decisions based on the investments they have already made, rather than on the potential future outcomes. 

This happens when leaders or employees persist with a decision or project even though it is not producing the desired results, simply because they have already invested time, resources, or effort into it.

Trapped Takeaways:

• We fall into bias traps because our brains are hardwired for quick decisions based on limited information.
  
  
• The different types of biases are: confirmation, in-group, anchoring, negativity, attribution, and sunk-cost bias.
  
  
• The different types of bias traps are: information overload, need for speed, and feelings over facts.
  

Join the conversation

Which of the bias traps author Anne Chow just described have you fallen into? Which one do you fall into most regularly?

Leave a comment to join the conversation.