avatarSmillew Rahcuef

Summary

This article discusses 17 cognitive biases through a persuasive and humorous approach, encouraging readers to engage with the content by clapping, commenting, and sharing.

Abstract

The article titled "17 Types of Cognitive Bias to Trick Your Mind Big Time" humorously employs cognitive biases to entice readers to interact with the content. It playfully uses biases such as framing, in-group, and overconfidence to create a compelling argument for why the reader should clap, comment, and share the article. The author, a Medium writer known as Smillew, also uses the piece to promote their newsletter and Medium membership, leveraging cognitive biases like loss aversion and the Ikea effect to foster a sense of ownership and participation in the article's success. The article concludes with additional resources for readers to explore more about cognitive biases.

Opinions

  • The author suggests that readers are more likely to engage with the article due to their membership on the platform, appealing to the in-group bias.
  • An incentive is offered to readers who clap 50 times and comment, which is an example of the incentivization bias.
  • The observer expectancy effect is invoked by suggesting the author is watching the reader's engagement.
  • Overconfidence bias is evident as the author predicts the article's widespread interest and sharing.
  • The self-serving bias is used to claim the article's success based on its perceived quality, while also acknowledging potential algorithmic misfortune.
  • Anchoring bias is employed by asking for a single clap instead of 50, making the request seem more reasonable.
  • Herd mentality is leveraged by implying that influential people and the author's grandma have endorsed the article.
  • Loss aversion is used to encourage following the author and subscribing to the newsletter to avoid missing out on future content.
  • Confirmation bias is targeted by flattering the reader's intelligence and generosity, suggesting these types of individuals would clap for the article.
  • Hindsight bias is presented by the author claiming they knew the article would go viral from the start.
  • The availability heuristic is applied by referencing the success of previous articles to suggest this one will also be well-received.
  • The hot-hand fallacy is used to suggest the author's recent success will continue with this article.
  • The endowment effect is utilized by metaphorically giving the article to the reader and asking how many claps they would give in return.
  • The identifiable victim effect is evoked by asking for help for the author specifically, rather than a general group of writers.
  • The Ikea effect is mentioned by inviting readers to contribute to the article through comments, implying their input enhances its value.
  • The illusory truth effect is demonstrated by repeating a statement about the article's quality and the action of following the author, suggesting repetition will make it seem true.
  • Additional resources are provided for readers interested in learning more about cognitive biases, indicating the author values informed readership.
  • The author promotes their writing on bananas, their newsletter, and their Medium referral link, expressing confidence in their content's value to the reader.

17 Types of Cognitive Bias to Trick Your Mind Big Time

Or 17 reasons why you’ll follow me this year

Photo by Fakurian Design on Unsplash

Framing cognitive bias

You can clap for this article or leave a comment, choose one.

In-group bias

Like you, I’m a distinguished member of this platform. Not a loser like all these outsiders that aren’t members of our club. Clap for me, clap for one of your kind.

Incentivization

If you clap 50 times and comment on this article, I’ll share a link to the piece of your choice on Twitter and Medium.

Observer expectancy effect

Before deciding to clap or not for this story, imagine I’m standing right behind you and looking at your screen.

Overconfidence bias

This article is so interesting that you’ll clap for it, comment on it, and share it with your friends all over the world.

Self-serving bias

This article will get 10,000 claps because it’s deeply researched and very clever. Unless I have bad algorithmic luck and it remains in the dark and sad corners of internet loneliness.

Anchoring bias

I’m not asking you to clap 50 times for this article; I know you’re busy. You can clap only one time.

Herd mentality

Several famous readers will clap for this article in the future. Influencers shared it on their socials. Presidents of different countries might read it. Well-known and popular individuals you admire are likely to read this article.

Also, my grandma clapped for it.

Loss Aversion

Make sure to follow Smillew and subscribe to my newsletter if you don’t want to miss more articles like this one.

Confirmation bias

You’re a brilliant and generous individual. No matter the topic, your ideas are fascinating and original. Brilliant and generous individuals clap for this article.

Hindsight bias

From the very beginning, I knew this article would get viral.

Availability heuristic

Many people clapped for my last two stories, so many people will clap for this one too.

Hot-Hand fallacy

I already had two viral articles this week; I’m on a winning streak! This article is very likely to be viral as well.

Endowment effect

Imagine this article is yours. There, I give it to you. Now decide how many claps you want to give.

Identifiable victim effect

You can help me by clapping for this article, or you could help the vague group of writers over there by clapping for their articles.

Ikea effect

Help me create this article by leaving one of your clever comments. Doesn’t the article look better thanks to your wit?

Illusory truth effect

Repeated misinformation becomes true. Repeat with me:

This article is so good I clapped 420 times and followed Smillew once. This article is so good I clapped 420 times and followed Smillew twice. This article is so good I clapped 420 times and followed Smillew thrice. This article is so good I clapped 420 times and followed Smillew quatrice. This article is so good I clapped 420 times and followed Smillew cincice. This article is so good I clapped 420 times and followed Smillew seisice. This article is so good I clapped 420 times and followed Smillew sietice.

(According to fake research I just made up, seven times is the goldilocks number for the illusory truth effect to work)

Find additional resources on cognitive biases here or there.

Smillew is a Medium writer who writes mainly about bananas, his Medium newsletter, and his Medium referral link. No need to follow him; he’ll show up in your feed.

Satire
Humor
Psychology
Cognitive Bias
The Bad Influence
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