Compensating for human nature: How to control "core" biases for the sake of better outcomes

old_uid15093
titleCompensating for human nature: How to control "core" biases for the sake of better outcomes
start_date2015/02/12
schedule11h-12h30
onlineno
summaryAt least some biases in human cognition and decision making are a core part of human nature in that they are cross-culturally universal and behave in a law-like manner. Occasionally such biases bring about undesirable outcomes in the form of poor policy decisions, cultural practices, or choices in individual action. Despite their law-like nature, the undesirable outcomes of cognitive biases can be avoided via intelligent and selective intervention. Here I discuss three examples of cognitive bias which illustrate these points: confirmation bias, biases of "social grouping," and a bias to overestimate the probability of encountering a frightening person/outcome. I argue that the negative consequences of each can be avoided by applying common principles of intervention.
responsiblesStrickland