Cognitive biases distort reality with good and bad results (like really bad).

Today is a fun experiment where we combine Psychology and History. We learn about the 7 perception-based illusions of Cognitive Biases whilst applying them to the life of Napoleon.

We understand how biases can be useful for us and lead us to greatness and how they can also be our downfall.

Cognitive biases covered:

• Selective Perception - Why we see things how we want to see them
• Exposure Effect - How repetition makes us likes stuff
• Baader-Meinhof Effect - Why we notice our car everywhere after we buy it
• Placebo Effect - How to make your leg being cut off less awful
• Illusion of Control - Why you can't roll dice
• Clustering Illusion - How we spot patterns that don't exist
• Contrast Effect - Why comparison makes things awful but also wonderful

Further reading:

• Napoleon The Great - Andrew Roberts - UK Book - US Book
• Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman - UK Book - US Book
• Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely - UK Book - US Book

Further Listening

Enjoyed this episode? Check out the rest of the Cognitive Ciases series:

1. Ego Blindspots: 9 Cognitive Biases to Avoid - [May 7th]
2. Human Nature vs. Money: Battling Irrationality & Thinking Traps [May 19th]
3. Confirmation Bias and the 7 Sins of Lazy Thinking - [June 4th]
4. [YOU ARE HERE] - Reality Distortion
5. Cognitive Rigidity and How Einstein Overcame the 5 Biases that Keep Us Stuck - [June 19th]
6. Thinking Fast and Slow: How to Make Better Decisions - [July 12th]

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Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement.

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Chapters:

00:00 Princeton Vs. Dartmouth

01:34 Selective Perception in Politics

02:26 Reality Distortion Fields

04:13 Napoleon's Rise and Fall

05:57 The Exposure Effect

09:06 The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon

11:24 The Placebo Effect

15:53 The Illusion of Control

18:59 Napoleon's Russian Campaign

21:25 The Clustering Illusion

25:29 The Contrast Effect

30:00 Reflections on Cognitive Biases

33:11 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

Topics:

overcoming selective perception for personal growth

using the mere exposure effect to build positive habits

Baader-Meinhof phenomenon and mindfulness practices

applying the placebo effect to boost self-confidence

illusion of control and decision making strategies

clustering illusion impact on personal finance

contrast effect in daily life and productivity

psychology of mindset and cognitive biases

cognitive biases and personal development

improving decision making through understanding cognitive biases

Napoleon cognitive biases analysis

how Napoleon's decisions were influenced by biases

cognitive biases in historical figures

psychological analysis of Napoleon Bonaparte

cognitive biases experiments and examples

Napoleon Bonaparte decision making

impact of cognitive biases on leadership

psychological insights into Napoleon's strategies

contrast effect in Napoleon's campaigns

illusion of control in historical decisions

mere exposure effect examples in history

Baader-Meinhof phenomenon historical examples

selective perception in Napoleon's battles

clustering illusion and military strategy

placebo effect in leadership confidence

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