Nature of cognitive biases

Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from the norm or rationality in judgment.

These are inherent tendencies in human thinking that can lead to inaccurate perceptions, illogical interpretations or irrational decisions.

Although they often operate unconsciously, understanding their nature and origin is the first step in developing more critical and objective thinking.

Definition and Operation

Cognitive biases manifest themselves as an inclination to think in certain ways, often as mental shortcuts or "heuristics" that the brain uses to simplify information processing and speed up decision making.

While these shortcuts can be useful in many situations to save mental energy, they can also lead to significant errors in judgment.

It is not so much about the things that happen to us in themselves. It is about the idea we have of them and our perception of them.

This perception is influenced by multiple factors, including accumulated beliefs and personal circumstances.

Evolutionary Origin and Purpose

Many cognitive biases have an evolutionary origin.

In ancestral environments, the ability to make quick decisions, even if they were not perfectly accurate, could be more advantageous to survival than slow, detailed analysis.

For example, quickly assuming that a noise in the brush is a predator (even though it often is not) is safer than not reacting.

The human brain tends to be "lazy" in the sense that it seeks to save energy. Thought patterns and biases enable this saving by providing automatic and simplified responses.

When we find patterns that fit with what we already know or believe, these pathways of thought are reinforced.

Impact on Perception and Decisions

These thought patterns profoundly influence how we interpret reality and the decisio