Transcription The labeling and classification bias
Labeling or pigeonholing is a cognitive bias that consists of applying a global, and often negative, label to a person (including oneself) or a group, based on a single characteristic, isolated behavior or membership in a category, such as profession.
Instead of describing a specific behavior ("I made a mistake"), the whole person is defined through that label ("I am a failure", "he is a klutz").
This process is an extreme form of generalization that oversimplifies the complexity of individuals and situations.
Global Label Formation
This bias manifests itself when, from a momentary failure, one concludes that one is a "disaster" or "incapable".
Similarly, there is a tendency to label others based on their profession, inferring personality traits, economic status, values or beliefs that do not necessarily correspond to reality.
For example, assuming that all individuals in a given profession share the same way of being is a form of pigeonholing.
The halo effect, where other unproven qualities (intelligence, success, goodness) are inferred from a positive characteristic such as physical attractiveness or elegant clothing, is also related to labeling.
Ignorance of Complexity and Circumstances
The main flaw of this bias is that it ignores the complexity of human behavior and the enormous influence of circumstances.
People do not act solely on the basis of a static "way of being".
Rather, their behavior is highly variable and dependent on context, mood, fatigue or recent events.
A clear example is observing someone stumble and fall, and instinctively thinking that "that person is clumsy", without considering that it could be the first time it has happened to them, that they are having a bad day or that there are situational factors involved.
It is difficult to know all the circumstances (past, present and future) surrounding a person or an issue.
"To Be" vs. "To Be". A More Flexible Perspective
To counteract labeling, it is more useful and accurate to think in terms of "being" rather than "bein
bias labeling pigeonholing
