Bias Recognition

Mental Shortcuts Gone Wrong

Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from rationality. They're not bugs—they're features of a mind optimized for quick decisions in a dangerous ancestral environment. But in our modern information landscape, these shortcuts can be exploited.

The Purpose of Biases

Biases exist because our ancestors who made fast decisions survived better than those who deliberated too long. When a rustle in the grass could be a predator, assuming danger and running was safer than careful analysis.

Today, this same machinery responds to:

• Clickbait headlines triggering curiosity gaps
• Scarcity claims creating urgency
• Social proof signals driving conformity

Understanding why biases exist helps us recognize them without self-judgment.