5 Cognitive Biases That Are Controlling Your Decisions
These mental shortcuts shape your choices in ways you might not even notice.
- Daisy Montero
- 2 min read
Your brain takes mental shortcuts to make decisions faster, but these shortcuts are not always reliable. Cognitive biases can make you see things in a way that is not completely accurate. They affect everyday choices, from shopping to big life decisions. Here are five common biases that might be influencing you without you realizing it.
1. The Anchoring Bias
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Your brain grabs onto the first piece of information it sees and uses it as a reference point even when it is irrelevant. Whether it is the price of a negotiation, this bias can trap you into making choices based on arbitrary starting points. Recognizing when you are anchored can help you reset your thinking and make more rational decisions.
2. The Confirmation Bias
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Your brain loves to be right, so it seeks out information that confirms what you already believe. This bias can keep you stuck in an echo chamber, ignoring facts that challenge your opinions. The best way to fight it is to actively look for different perspectives before making a decision.
3. The Choice Supportive Bias
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Once you have made a decision, your brain tries to convince you it was the right one even when evidence suggests otherwise. This bias can lead to sticking with bad investments, toxic relationships, or outdated ideas. Being aware of it helps you reevaluate past choices with a clearer perspective.
4. The Sunk Cost Fallacy
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When you have already invested time, money, or effort into something, it feels painful to walk away even if it is the best choice. This bias can keep you in bad situations longer than you should be, just because you do not want to waste what you have put in. Learning to cut losses when necessary is a skill that frees you from bad decisions.
5. The Bandwagon Effect
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When everyone around you is doing something, it feels easier to follow along rather than think critically. This bias explains why trends take off and why people sometimes make questionable choices just because they are popular. The next time you feel swayed by the crowd, take a step back and consider if the decision actually aligns with your values.