Name That Cognitive Bias!

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Well, yes. Psychology is deemed a "soft science." Soft indeed. So soft it's mushy. Lab Pet likes hard science. Granted, cognitive bias theory falls under psychology, BUT, at the same time, logic. Logic is a disciplined branch of philosopy. Thought I'd clarify.

Or, as Dr. Phil (the anti-Aspie) would say: "Reality is just perceptual"
No it isn't. It is what it is. Perceptual is just the icing on the cake.

Last edited by LabPet on 10 Jun 2010, 4:00 am, edited 2 times in total.

Yes! Awesome thread, and I think *sticky* material even.

No worries, sinsboldy, it's not tangential: tan = sin/cos

Wow, thanks LabPet for all those comments! And for proposing that this thread be 'stickied'. That would make it a first for this forum section!
Also, while there's no doubt that psychology is a soft science, the subfield of cognitive psychology is a little harder, which is where CBs get investigated.

I had fun.....last evening I printed, from Wikipedia, the entire list of cognitive biases.

Just to add: I cannot *sticky* threads any longer since I do not have access - I had informally left the WP due to academic obligations. I have a bit of time in the interim, so I now get to visit sometimes. There are other moderators though.

Re the question whether psychology is a science: I'm convinced neuroscience will gradually take over all psychotherapy theories and provide a physical explanation of all our puzzling quirks. You just wait.

I agree. Everything that exists is physical.

ruveyn

... however, I tend toward the opinion that current-day neuroscience may be likened to throwing stones into a room with a laptop in it, in order to conclusively decide the Shakespeare authorship question.

Liked the Shakespeare link.......quite like asking, "Who was Jack-the-Ripper?" The question, although somewhat moot, is now academic and appeals to one's curiosities. But, about neuroscience: We are a science of the CNS, inclusive of chemistry, physics, biology, (electro)physiology, etc. incorporating analytical methods. Research oriented upon known principles with experimental methods to analyze.

As far as psychology (entirely different realm) - Yes, a soft science. Depends upon application but there is interpretative value. Still, psychology does not predict behavior nor is that the intent. Addresses human behavior, emotions, motivation, learning and more. Many approaches with no one consensus and variable application clinically.

No comparing the two at all (neuroscience & psychology); Apples & oranges.

Oh, back to Name That Cognitive Bias....hmm. About the Shakespeare authorship question...................A putative perpetuated behavioral bias - akin to how some regard the American 9/11 event. Since we've been staunchly taught, over time, of established authorship to these esteemed works, then we take it as truth. Good example, lau!

In grade school, Alaskans are taught about Native Alaskan peoples and how the American settlers "helped" them, but that's not the whole truth by any means! With some parallels to lau's example (like the bandwagon effect).

In actuality, I've enjoyed this thread. I printed-out the entire list of cognitive biases too - whew! Each one spawns a hallmark historic or social event/phenomena and provides a comforting description. In neat packaged labels. Cool thread.

Pop Quiz! Name that Cognitive Bias: Jack-the-Ripper was Shakespeare (disregard the wrong time-frame).

Last edited by LabPet on 13 Jun 2010, 9:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Illusory Correlation.

Wow, cool thread MrDiamondMind! I have a question for you about a possible past cognitive bias of mine (I am still not sure whether I know what that means or not) and what it would be called if it was one. I used to always blame everything on myself, regardless of what it was. I immediately apologized for anything I said or was about to say or anything that someone was upset over because I assumed everything was my fault. Name that cognitive bias (assuming it is one)? :D

This sounds most like Egocentric Bias.

What's a cognitive bias? It's a systematic interpretation of data that is bound to be misleading, not due to evidence or lack of intelligence, but to the way the brain happens to be designed.
Think of a cognitive bias as a mental vortex. Whatever angle you approach a problem, the cognitive bias will suck your interpretation towards the center and produce the same (almost always misleading) solution, hence being systematic.

Wow, sounds close enough anyway! Very interesting thread! Now I'm getting in on the fun...

Glen's phone rings and he answers it to hear Justine sobbing on the other side of the phone.

Glen asks, "What's wrong?" and Justine explains that she and her boyfriend were in a horrible car accident and was told by an ER doctor that her boyfriend was going to have one of his legs and arms amputated and would lose a good deal of his motor functions. Glen says bluntly, "Well, that's what he gets for not answering the phone when I got arrested."

Glen's reaction to Justine's boyfriend's tragedy can be attributed to which cognitive bias?

So Glen thinks that's what Justine's boyfriend deserves. Sounds like the Just-World Phenomenon.

Yeah, and further, Glen is a heartless jerk and does not get invited to our party. Because we are exclusionary that way. And that's a cognitive bias.....Name that Cognitive Bias!


< On a separate note, nevermind the emoticon. I usually pay little attention to emoticons but I'm trying to get the hang-off emoticons. Sort-of. Honestly, who has that many emotions? Besides, I don't regard most of these emoticons as emotive anyway. Case in point, elephant-emoticon is not an emotion, and so forth. I think emoticons are a cognitive bias in and of itself, but that's another topic. Just nevermind. Waaay past my bedtime. Oh wait, there's an emoticon for that! =

DINGDINGDINGDINGDING! Correct, both of you. :]

Sorry it took a while to reply, I am pretty bad about checking my e-mails. Good job everyone.

Aslo, is Justine a subject to the Omission Bias?