Checklist: Lesson 5 - Understanding Cognitive Biases
Recognizing Common Cognitive Biases
Confirmation Bias: Notice when you seek information that confirms existing beliefs
Availability Heuristic: Be aware when you judge likelihood based on how easily examples come to mind
Anchoring Bias: Identify when initial information unduly influences your judgment
Dunning-Kruger Effect: Recognize when confidence exceeds competence in unfamiliar areas
Hindsight Bias: Notice when past events seem more predictable in retrospect
Sunk Cost Fallacy: Identify when past investments influence decisions about future actions
Fundamental Attribution Error: Catch yourself judging others’ behavior by character while excusing your own
Negativity Bias: Be aware when negative information has disproportionate influence
Bias Detection Strategies
Monitor emotional reactions that might signal biased thinking
Watch for simplified black-and-white thinking on complex issues
Notice resistance to changing your mind despite new evidence
Identify when you dismiss contradictory information without consideration
Recognize when you’re overconfident in your predictions or judgments
Be alert to stereotypical thinking about groups of people
Debiasing Techniques
Slow down your thinking process for important decisions
Deliberately consider the opposite of your initial conclusion
Seek diverse perspectives, especially from those who think differently
Use structured decision tools like checklists or decision matrices
Practice intellectual humility by acknowledging the limits of your knowledge
Create psychological distance by imagining advising someone else
Quantify information when possible rather than relying on impressions
Practical Bias Management
Develop awareness of which biases you’re most susceptible to
Create personal systems to counteract your common biases
Schedule regular reviews of important beliefs to check for bias
Build diverse information sources into your regular media diet
Practice changing your mind when evidence warrants it
Celebrate identifying your own biases rather than feeling embarrassed