- Explain common roadblocks to problem-solving
- Explain choice blindness
Pitfalls to Problem-Solving
Cognitive Biases
Cognitive biases, which are automatic ways of thinking that can influence our judgments and decisions, can sometimes hinder our problem-solving abilities and lead to less effective outcomes. Let’s review them here:
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An anchoring bias occurs when you focus on one piece of information when making a decision or solving a problem.
As a college student, imagine you’re looking for an apartment to rent. You come across a listing that states the rent is $1,000 per month, which seems like a great deal considering the average rent in your area is $1,500. Anchoring bias might cause you to fixate on this initial price and overlook other important factors like the apartment’s condition or location. Consequently, you might make a hasty decision based solely on the lower rent, without fully considering other important aspects.
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Confirmation bias is the tendency to focus on information that confirms your existing beliefs.
Let’s say you are someone who is passionate about environmental issues. You have a strong belief that renewable energy is the key to mitigating climate change. You come across an article online that supports your viewpoint, presenting evidence of the benefits of renewable energy and its potential to solve the energy crisis.
Confirmation bias might cause you to enthusiastically share this article with your peers, focusing on the positive aspects and dismissing any counterarguments or skeptical viewpoints. You might also seek out and pay more attention to sources that reinforce your existing beliefs while ignoring or downplaying information that challenges or contradicts your stance. In this case, confirmation bias can prevent you from critically evaluating alternative perspectives or considering the limitations or potential drawbacks of renewable energy. It can hinder your ability to engage in balanced discussions and make informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
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Hindsight bias leads you to believe that the event you just experienced was predictable, even though it really wasn’t. In other words, you knew all along that things would turn out the way they did.
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Representative bias describes a faulty way of thinking, in which you unintentionally stereotype someone or something.
Imagine you’re attending a networking event. During the event, you meet someone who is dressed in casual attire and seems relaxed and laid-back. Representative bias might lead you to stereotype this person as someone who is not very ambitious or hardworking. You may assume that they are not serious about their career or lack the necessary skills and drive to succeed. However, this bias overlooks the fact that appearances can be deceiving, and people’s external characteristics may not accurately reflect their abilities or dedication. In reality, the person you met at the networking event could be highly motivated, accomplished, and have valuable insights to offer. Representative bias in this scenario could cause you to miss out on a potential networking connection or valuable professional relationship.
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The availability heuristic (also known as the availability bias) is a heuristic in which you make a decision based on an example, information, or recent experience that is readily available to you, even though it may not be the best example to inform your decision.
Functional Fixedness
You can view the transcript for “Functional Fixedness: Think outside the box” here (opens in new window).
Choice Blindness