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Reflecting on past decisions can reveal cognitive biases from "summary" of Your Brain Is Playing Tricks on You by Albert Moukheiber
When we look back on past decisions we have made, we may uncover certain patterns or tendencies that influenced our choices. These patterns are known as cognitive biases, and they can impact how we perceive information, make judgments, and ultimately make decisions. One common cognitive bias is known as the confirmation bias. This bias occurs when we seek out information that confirms our preexisting beliefs or opinions, while ignoring or discounting information that contradicts them. Reflecting on past decisions can help us recognize instances where we may have fallen victim to this bias, leading us to make decisions that were not based on a full evaluation of all available information. Another cognitive bias that reflecting on past decisions can reveal is the anchoring bias. This bias occurs when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information we receive when making decisions. By reflecting on past decisions, we may notice instances where we anchored ourselves to a particular piece of information, even if it was not the most relevant or accurate. Additionally, reflecting on past decisions can highlight the influence of the availability heuristic. This bias occurs when we overestimate the importance of information that is readily available to us, such as vivid memories or recent events. By examining our past decisions, we may uncover instances where we gave disproportionate weight to information that was more easily recalled, rather than considering a wider range of relevant factors.- Reflecting on past decisions can provide valuable insight into the cognitive biases that may have influenced our choices. By recognizing these biases, we can work towards making more informed and rational decisions in the future.
