Cognitive approach KC6: cognitive biases

Question 1

cognitive bias

Answer 1

errors in information processing

Question 2

fundamental attribution error (FAE)

Answer 2

fundamental attribution error occurs when we explain other peoples behaviour due to their personality and not the situation

Question 3

conformation bias

Answer 3

confirmation bias is when we notice, store and recall information that supports our existing beliefs

Question 4

hostile attribution bias (HAB)

Answer 4

someone with hostile attribution bias wrongly believes someone else’s behaviour is threatening (hostile) when it is actually neutral

Question 5

what are the 3 types of cognitive biases?

Answer 5

fundamental attribution error, conformation bias, hostile attribution bias

Question 6

application of conformation bias to social media

Answer 6

on social media, algorithms detect an individuals preferences and then customise what they see, creating an ECHO CHAMBER. therefore, the person only sees items that match their preferences which reinforce their existing views/beliefs. they rarely get to see information that contradicts or challenges such existing beliefs/views

Question 7

name 1 strength of cognitive biases

Answer 7

has practical application so is useful

we can overcome conformation bias by deliberately seeking out information that challenges our existing views. we can do this by reading a variety of sources and applying critical thinking skills to political views, footballs teams etc. this is useful because by understanding cognitive biases, we can improve our decision making and so reduce negative effects of behaviour

Question 8

name 1 limitation of cognitive biases

Answer 8

the fundamental attribution error is not universal

a limitation is that the fundamental attribution error only exists in certain cultures. individualistic cultures (such as the USA) value individual needs over the needs of the group/community, so behaviour tends to be attributed to individual characteristics. however, collectivistic cultures (such as India or China) prioritise the needs of the group/community, so behaviour tends to be attributed to situational factors rather than to personality. this suggests that behaviour is understood differently in different cultures and so FAE is culturally specific and not a feature of all human information processing (which may also be true of other biases)