Our brain takes shortcuts. These mental shortcuts are necessary to solve complex problems at quick rates and allow us to function efficiently, but may lead to errors. Mental shortcuts are called heuristics and sometimes produce errors called cognitive biases. Cognitive basically means mental abilities related to knowledge like attention, memory, evaluation, judgment, comprehension and problem solving.
As our brain is constantly involved in information processing, more often than not we can become overloaded with incoming sensory input. In order to not spend too much time weighing options, trying to come to truly rational conclusions, our brain will instead come to conclusions that satisfy.
By using heuristics, our brain avoids the mental energy it would take to run algorithms (like a computer) and seek out all information by way of optimization, to come to an optimal conclusion. By using the ability to simplify complex calculations, the brain uses a process known as satisficing. Satisficing occurs when previously known, available information is used. These known alternatives are run through until an acceptable solution is found to serve as a conclusion.
When we are making decisions or judgments, an optimal decision-making strategy is not something most of our brains can afford. Instead we process vast amounts of information on a constant basis by using our mental rules of thumb, our heuristics, in order to succeed in the every day world. We don’t have time to dilly-dally.
Plus, we only have so much mental effort available and this is called working memory. Working memory is the conscious part of us that is processing information, whereas heuristics are mostly unconscious and running below the surface. WM can hold around four to seven bits of information at one time that last for about 10 seconds. One can assume the idea of multitasking is a myth. We can focus on only one thing at a time and flip between our focus by using our limited working memory, constantly pulling information from our long-term memory.
What about stress, distractions and too much information at once?
The amount of stress put onto our working memory is called cognitive load. As cognitive load increases, through the amount of mental activity imposed on working memory, much of our thinking is moved to our heuristics running below the surface. This can lead to errors in the form of a cognitive bias.
There are many of these biases, but three major ones discussed in the mainstream are often: confirmation bias, availability bias and representativeness bias.
Confirmation bias uses selective thinking to support already held beliefs. This happens when we often only believe, or search out new information that coincides with what we already think, instead of weighing all the information possible for a truly objective conclusion.
The availability bias uses information that quickly comes to mind. Decisions and judgments are made based on whatever thoughts we think that are most easily recalled. This can lead to an effect called illusory correlation when we think there is a relationship between people, events, or behaviours, when no such relationship exists. This is often evident in stereotyping or false associations between unrelated items. This could be a problem when a task at hand is similar to a recent task, but may not be exactly the same.
The representativeness bias occurs when we unconsciously use similarities to categorize new information in order to classify it. We sometimes estimate to the nearest category if something does not fit into a known category. Similar to the availability bias, this bias can also create illusory correlations when we relate new events or information with past events or information. This may lead to representations of one thing for another, such as assuming someone in the United States with long hair and a laid back attitude is from California, if previous information says it is so.
Sometimes taking a step back and allowing ourselves time and space to think can lead to cognitive bias mitigation. By reducing cognitive load we reestablish our focus. By seeking out all information we become more objective and reasonable.
Even so, heuristics aren’t all that bad to begin with. They do allow us the ability to quickly make decisions and judgments. Anyone familiar with Malcolm Gladwell’s idea of thin slicing will tell you research shows it’s actually quite accurate. But as they say, “you can’t judge a book by its cover” and more often than not “haste makes waste.” Like my father always said, “Measure twice and cut once.”
