An Introduction to the Concept of Cognitive Biases

The prism through which we view the world

I’ve always been fascinated in how people are motivated to make decisions. With even a little investigation, it is clear that we all have biases that can help or hinder us from doing what is wise and effective.

In adult life, emotional baggage comes to the fore in relationships in three main forms.

1. First, there are the often negative expectations created by previous relationships, perhaps of an abusive nature— a kind of bondage to the past that can contaminate new and potentially more positive interactions. This may be particularly apparent in a second marriage or relationship where, in Virginia Satir’s words:

“…shadows from the past are very real and must be dealt with by the new marital pair”.

2. Memories contributing to adult emotional baggage are recurrent bringing-up of the history of the current relationship, with the result that minor problems in the present become overwhelmed by negative currents from earlier times which cannot be resolved or set aside for good.

3. It causes stress, depression, and anger outbursts. In some advanced cases, it may also lead to suicidal thoughts. Emotional baggage weighs us down and lets past experiences undermine the prospects of a better future.

As a metaphorical image, it is that of carrying all the past disappointments, wrongs, trauma, and the self-loathing that often comes with around with oneself in a heavy load.

What are the 4 Main Trauma Symptoms?

When we experience any kind of trauma, we can respond to the threat in various ways to cope. We are all familiar with the fight or flight response.

There are actually four main trauma responses, which are categorized as “the four F’s of trauma”:

• Fight,
• Flight,
• Freeze,
• …And Fawn.

If memories bring feelings of deep pain, fear, or anxiety to mind, you’re likely suffering from emotional baggage. You also likely have some baggage if you have difficulty identifying or accepting emotions. Maybe you push them to the side, or you deny that you’re sad, when deep down, you indeed are suffering. If you actually feel these emotions you may act out dysfunctionally, or become lost, emotionally paralyzed, or confused about what to do about it.

Childhood

Behind adult problems, however, there may be deeper forms of emotional baggage rooted in the experiences of childhood, but continuing to trouble personality and behavior within the adult.

Men and women may be unable to leave the pain of childhood behind, or even realize they are in this mental prison. They may even and look to their partners to fix this, often partners who are themselves in mental prisons, rather than to address more adult concerns.

Cultural and parental expectations, and patterns of behavior drawn from the family of origin and still unconsciously carried around, will impact on a new marriage in ways neither partner may be aware of.

In my work as an Executive Coach, strategist, and forecaster I often come across articles, stories, and videos, about people who have made poor decisions because they allowed their cognitive biases to interfere with their rational thinking. I am now using A.I. to explore my own decisions and cognitive bias influences.

A cognitive bias is a common term used to describe systematic patterns of deviation from the norm, or rationality in judgment. Individuals create their own “subjective reality” from their perception of the input. An individual’s construction of reality, not the objective input, may dictate their behavior in the world. Thus, cognitive biases may sometimes lead to perceptual distortion, inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretation, or what is broadly called irrationality

While cognitive biases often have a negative influence, they can actually help us identify similarities and create shortcuts to navigate through common situations, and obstacles.

By exploring and even studying these biases you have the essential tools you will need for better and clearer critical thinking, and becoming more practical, effective, efficient, precise, productive, accurate, and self-aware — (PEEPPASA), in decision-making.

Many people struggle and suffer in life because they believe and have convinced themselves to believe that something is true, or a fact though it isn’t.

If they do not discard their misguided intuition, or a wrong conclusion based on actual facts, it is not because their reasoning attempts to solve the problem that feeds a false conclusion. Rather, it is failing because their reasoning seeks to identify reasons that support their intuition, and belief. This tendency of reasoning to provide argument that reinforce a person’s prior beliefs or decisions is commonly referred to as a cognitive or confirmation bias.

Those psychologists that even address the issue of cognitive bias usually focus on a handful of biases, but there are actually many more than this. A skilled professional helper (coach, mentor, consultant, advisor, therapist), can identify these. This is especially so, within the field of cognitive behavioral therapy, rational-emotional therapy, and family therapy can be extremely effective in changing a person’s dysfunctional assumptions and ways of thinking.

In my development of my HAGT method (Harrison’s Applied Game Thinking), it became clear that the more rational a client is the more effective the counseling might be.

It is extremely difficult to achieve PEEPPASA when burdened down by cognitive biases. I often speak about PEEPPASA as an essential part of decision making, forecasting, and a self Improvement Lifestyle. I have found in my own life that any strategy I create that cannot meet a PEEPPASA standard has a greater chance of failure, and causing me unnecessary struggle.

In a sense, embracing and applying PEEPPASA makes you a bit of an expert concerning your own life.

Here is a great story @benulansey

Here is one I drew from my archives @LewisCoaches

Author: Lewis Harrison is a public speaker, and has researched ways to acquire and use power and influence for over five decades all with the desired outcome of making the world a better place.

Lewis is the creator of the Ask Lewis Mentoring Method as well as HAGT — Harrison’s Applied Game Theory. He is the Executive Director of the International Association of Healing Professionals an educational organization that offers programs around the world in Intentional Living. He is also an Independent Scholar, with a passion for knowledge, personal development, self-improvement, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving.

For a decade, Lewis was the host of a humor-based Q&A, talk show on NPR (National Public Radio) affiliated with WIOX FM in NY.

“I am always exploring trends, areas of interest, and solutions to build new stories upon. Please share this article with others. It is appreciated.”

If you have any ideas you would like me to write about, just email me at [email protected] or check out all of my books, blogs, and videos through my portal www.asklewis.com