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In the psychological literature, under the concept of "cognitive" distortions, it is customary to mean errors in a person's thinking, adherence to stereotyped judgments about life, situations and people around them. "Mistakes of thinking", according to scientists, help to increase the adaptive ability of a person to the environment, to increase the speed of decision-making. However, getting rid of the most obvious "cognitive distortions" can increase the speed and quality of thinking, develop creativity and look at the world around us with a clearer look.
Scientists have identified a huge number of thinking errors. Most were proved experimentally, while others remained speculations. Here are some of the most common "cognitive biases" in your brain:
Illusion of control. The mistake of thinking lies in the fact that a person sincerely believes in his omnipotence. In his opinion, he is able to control the people around him, and even random events, although in fact this is very far from the truth. The illusion of control can lead to depression and nervousness when events are completely out of control.
Reassessing impact. An insignificant event and experience is perceived as a disaster. The event is attributed to great importance, and a significant impact on future life.
Craze effect. Striving to follow the "mainstream", common opinion. It is clearly manifested on the Internet, when one idea captures the masses, it is considered unconditionally correct. This cognitive bias is directly related to herd instinct.
Contrast effect. Two recent events are compared on the basis of contrast. For example, if you are being courted by two men, you might prefer a more physically and spiritually attractive person, although if you had no choice, you might have chosen a less attractive young person.
The Hawthorne effect - if a person is watched - it shows the best results in work and any other activity. For example, the installation of a video surveillance camera significantly increases the productivity of employees in an organization.
Excessive optimism - a person is too optimistic about his chances of success when there is no one hundred percent guarantee of victory.
Overconfidence effect - a person overestimates his abilities, strengths and dignity.
Stereotyping is the assignment of character traits characteristic of a group to another without knowledge of the individual traits of a given personality. For example: “all men are selfish”, “all rich are curmudgeons”, etc. It manifests itself daily in wrong judgments about people.
Embellishment of the past - ascribing more meaning and optimistic meaning to past events. For example, memories of adventures are much more interesting than the adventures themselves, where a person could endure boredom, discomfort, etc.
The phenomenon of a "just world" consists in a groundless belief in universal justice, equality, etc. A person expects a fair assessment of his actions and efforts and is very offended by any discrepancy in expectations.
Fundamental attribution error ”- the behavior of others is assessed in terms of their personal qualities, and the situational influence is not taken into account. For example, if on the street you are accidentally pushed and not apologized, you will consider the person an ill-mannered rude person, although he may simply not have noticed you in a hurry.
Halo effect. Persons who we like or have authority in society are considered infallible, and evidence of flaws is ignored or attributed to merit.
Dunning-Kruger effect. People with low qualifications highly value their achievements, ignore failures and draw erroneous conclusions, while really highly qualified specialists suffer from insecurity, consider others to be more competent.
Projection biases - the tendency to attribute your thoughts, beliefs, and values to others.
The effect of Lake Wobegon - a person gives his person too flattering and deceitful reviews, evaluating himself above others.
Self-fulfilling prophecies - a person is involved exclusively in those activities that are one hundred percent likely to confirm his beliefs. For example, the tendency to meet deliberately inappropriate people in order to confirm the belief: "I will always be alone, I have no luck with my personal life." Cognitive distortion affects all areas of life.
The effect of the first impression - the initial opinion about a person practically does not change over time, even if there are facts that refute it.
Justification of the system - any political, social and economic changes are denied by a person, even if the changes should improve the situation and are for the benefit of the person himself.
Illusion of transparency - a person significantly overestimates the ability of others to understand his thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
Devaluation is the tendency to sweep aside evidence of successes, failures, or people if they are contrary to a person's beliefs. For example, a beautiful, talented and successful woman will consider herself a failure to the last, no matter how much success she has achieved.
Overgeneralization is the tendency to draw global conclusions from a single event. For example, a failure at an interview will make a person consider himself a bad and useless specialist, and an unsuccessful date will make a person unattractive for the entire male sex.
Comparison - a tendency to constantly compare oneself with others, more successful in some types of activity, personalities. After comparison, regret and bad mood invariably come.
Scientists have identified a huge number of thinking errors. Most were proved experimentally, while others remained speculations. Here are some of the most common "cognitive biases" in your brain:
Illusion of control. The mistake of thinking lies in the fact that a person sincerely believes in his omnipotence. In his opinion, he is able to control the people around him, and even random events, although in fact this is very far from the truth. The illusion of control can lead to depression and nervousness when events are completely out of control.
Reassessing impact. An insignificant event and experience is perceived as a disaster. The event is attributed to great importance, and a significant impact on future life.
Craze effect. Striving to follow the "mainstream", common opinion. It is clearly manifested on the Internet, when one idea captures the masses, it is considered unconditionally correct. This cognitive bias is directly related to herd instinct.
Contrast effect. Two recent events are compared on the basis of contrast. For example, if you are being courted by two men, you might prefer a more physically and spiritually attractive person, although if you had no choice, you might have chosen a less attractive young person.
The Hawthorne effect - if a person is watched - it shows the best results in work and any other activity. For example, the installation of a video surveillance camera significantly increases the productivity of employees in an organization.
Excessive optimism - a person is too optimistic about his chances of success when there is no one hundred percent guarantee of victory.
Overconfidence effect - a person overestimates his abilities, strengths and dignity.
Stereotyping is the assignment of character traits characteristic of a group to another without knowledge of the individual traits of a given personality. For example: “all men are selfish”, “all rich are curmudgeons”, etc. It manifests itself daily in wrong judgments about people.
Embellishment of the past - ascribing more meaning and optimistic meaning to past events. For example, memories of adventures are much more interesting than the adventures themselves, where a person could endure boredom, discomfort, etc.
The phenomenon of a "just world" consists in a groundless belief in universal justice, equality, etc. A person expects a fair assessment of his actions and efforts and is very offended by any discrepancy in expectations.
Fundamental attribution error ”- the behavior of others is assessed in terms of their personal qualities, and the situational influence is not taken into account. For example, if on the street you are accidentally pushed and not apologized, you will consider the person an ill-mannered rude person, although he may simply not have noticed you in a hurry.
Halo effect. Persons who we like or have authority in society are considered infallible, and evidence of flaws is ignored or attributed to merit.
Dunning-Kruger effect. People with low qualifications highly value their achievements, ignore failures and draw erroneous conclusions, while really highly qualified specialists suffer from insecurity, consider others to be more competent.
Projection biases - the tendency to attribute your thoughts, beliefs, and values to others.
The effect of Lake Wobegon - a person gives his person too flattering and deceitful reviews, evaluating himself above others.
Self-fulfilling prophecies - a person is involved exclusively in those activities that are one hundred percent likely to confirm his beliefs. For example, the tendency to meet deliberately inappropriate people in order to confirm the belief: "I will always be alone, I have no luck with my personal life." Cognitive distortion affects all areas of life.
The effect of the first impression - the initial opinion about a person practically does not change over time, even if there are facts that refute it.
Justification of the system - any political, social and economic changes are denied by a person, even if the changes should improve the situation and are for the benefit of the person himself.
Illusion of transparency - a person significantly overestimates the ability of others to understand his thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
Devaluation is the tendency to sweep aside evidence of successes, failures, or people if they are contrary to a person's beliefs. For example, a beautiful, talented and successful woman will consider herself a failure to the last, no matter how much success she has achieved.
Overgeneralization is the tendency to draw global conclusions from a single event. For example, a failure at an interview will make a person consider himself a bad and useless specialist, and an unsuccessful date will make a person unattractive for the entire male sex.
Comparison - a tendency to constantly compare oneself with others, more successful in some types of activity, personalities. After comparison, regret and bad mood invariably come.
