Cognitive Biases

Definition

Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, where individuals create their own 'subjective reality' from their perception of the input. These biases can significantly impact decision-making and how feedback is interpreted and processed, leading to potential misunderstandings and ineffective communication in feedback scenarios.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cognitive biases can lead to distorted thinking and affect how constructive feedback is perceived, making it crucial to recognize them during evaluations.
2. Feedback may be skewed by biases such as the halo effect, where an individual's overall impression influences how specific traits or behaviors are judged.
3. Awareness of cognitive biases can enhance the effectiveness of giving and receiving feedback by promoting more objective assessments.
4. Biases can cause individuals to dismiss constructive criticism if it contradicts their self-image or beliefs about their abilities.
5. In team settings, cognitive biases can impact group dynamics, leading to conflicts or miscommunications when feedback is given or received.

Review Questions

• How do cognitive biases affect the process of giving and receiving constructive feedback?
  • Cognitive biases can significantly distort the way feedback is both given and received. For example, if a giver is influenced by the halo effect, they may overlook specific weaknesses because they have a positive overall impression of the person. On the other hand, a receiver who experiences confirmation bias might focus only on aspects of feedback that validate their existing beliefs about their performance, ignoring valuable critiques that could lead to improvement.
• Discuss the implications of self-serving bias when receiving feedback in a collaborative environment.
  • Self-serving bias can have major implications in collaborative settings. When individuals attribute successes to their skills while blaming failures on external factors, it creates a divide among team members. This attitude can hinder personal growth, as individuals may not take constructive feedback seriously if they view criticism as unfair. Consequently, the team's ability to develop trust and effectively communicate may be compromised.
• Evaluate strategies that can mitigate cognitive biases during feedback sessions to enhance learning outcomes.
  • To reduce the impact of cognitive biases during feedback sessions, several strategies can be employed. Encouraging a culture of open dialogue where feedback is framed positively can help lessen defensiveness. Utilizing structured feedback methods, such as specific examples rather than general statements, can also minimize subjective interpretations. Additionally, training on recognizing cognitive biases can empower both givers and receivers to engage more constructively with feedback, fostering an environment focused on growth and improvement.

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 human tendency to rely heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions.

Self-Serving Bias: The habit of attributing positive events to one’s own character while attributing negative events to external factors.