Why You Make Bad Decisions: Confirmation Bias and the 7 Sins of Lazy Thinking [Cognitive Biases #4]
Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement
Intro
Sam Webster Harris introduces the episode and frames confirmation bias and cognitive blind spots for growth mindset listeners.
How to make smarter decisions that improve your life by understanding your mind and it's hidden psychology.
We are all storytelling creatures, desperate to fit the world into a narrative that makes sense to us. Thus, we build echo chambers not because we are stupid, but because we are afraid.
The Confirmation Bias is a shield against the discomfort of being wrong. The Availability Bias shapes our worldview based on the loudest stories, not the most important facts.
This episode reviews 7 cognitive biases the explore the friction between what is comfortable and what is true. Learning helps us build tools for the art of long-term thinking in a short-term world.
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Audit your inputs: Step outside your algorithmic feed to find the friction of opposing views.
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Reframe the risk: Turn "Black Swan" surprises into "White Swan" predictions by analyzing the unsexy data.
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Choose commitment: Overcome the paralysis of infinite choice by making a "good enough" decision and sticking to it.
Go make a ruckus by choosing to think clearly today.
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Learn about the evolving story of the human species and our ideas told in chronological order.
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Growth Mindset Psychology:
Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Confirmation Bias
04:14 The Availability Bias
07:08 The Neglect of Probability Bias
09:12 Black Swan vs. White Swan Events
11:00 The Hindsight Bias
13:47 The Outcome Bias
16:15 The Paradox of Choice Bias
18:56 The Time Discounting Bias
21:10 Becoming More Rational Thinkers
22:14 Wrap Up
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