Cognitive Biases

Definition

Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, leading individuals to make decisions based on subjective factors rather than objective reality. These biases can influence the way characters perceive situations, interpret events, and make choices, often leading to flawed decision-making and unexpected outcomes in storytelling. Understanding cognitive biases is crucial for creating psychologically rich characters who feel authentic and relatable.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cognitive biases can lead characters to misinterpret the intentions of others, affecting their relationships and decisions throughout the story.
2. These biases can create dramatic tension by causing misunderstandings or conflict between characters due to their skewed perceptions.
3. Incorporating cognitive biases into character development adds depth, making them more complex and believable.
4. Recognizing cognitive biases can help writers craft more engaging plots by exploiting characters' flawed reasoning for narrative twists.
5. Characters exhibiting cognitive biases can demonstrate growth as they learn to recognize and overcome these mental shortcuts over time.

Review Questions

• How do cognitive biases affect a character's decision-making process in a story?
  • Cognitive biases significantly impact a character's decision-making by skewing their perception of reality. For instance, if a character has confirmation bias, they may ignore evidence that contradicts their beliefs, leading them to make poor choices. This flawed judgment can create tension in the narrative, as other characters might be trying to reveal the truth while the biased character remains oblivious. Ultimately, this dynamic not only shapes the character's actions but also influences the plot's direction.
• Discuss how a writer can use cognitive biases to enhance plot development and conflict within a story.
  • Writers can leverage cognitive biases to create compelling plot twists and conflicts by having characters act on faulty reasoning. For example, if a character relies on the anchoring effect, they might base critical decisions on misleading initial information. This reliance can lead to miscalculations that drive the story's conflict forward, as other characters may have different perspectives or possess more accurate information. By introducing such biases, writers can enrich the narrative with complexity and unpredictability.
• Evaluate the role of character growth in relation to overcoming cognitive biases in storytelling.
  • Character growth often hinges on the ability to recognize and overcome cognitive biases. As characters face challenges and confront their flawed perceptions, they can undergo significant development. This transformation not only makes them more relatable but also provides an opportunity for deeper themes such as self-awareness and personal growth. By illustrating a character's journey from ignorance shaped by biases to enlightenment through experience, writers can create powerful arcs that resonate with audiences and drive home the importance of critical thinking.

Related terms

Confirmation Bias:

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.

Anchoring Effect: The cognitive bias that describes the common human tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions.

Overconfidence Bias: A bias in which someone's subjective confidence in their judgments is greater than their objective accuracy, often leading to poor decision-making.