Meaning & use

cognitive bias

noun·Academic

A systematic error in thinking that affects judgments and decisions, often based on flawed assumptions or mental shortcuts.

See it in a sentence

Confirmation bias is a common cognitive bias that leads people to favor information supporting their beliefs.

The training taught managers to recognize cognitive bias before making hiring decisions.

A note on using this word

Cognitive biases are unconscious and predictable, unlike random errors; well-known examples include confirmation bias and anchoring.

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