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If you’re searching for the difference between cognitive bias vs. unconscious bias, chances are you realize you may not be as immune to bias as you hoped.
As we go through life, we often believe that we make decisions or judgments based on objective information shaped by past events and experiences. We also tend to imagine that our brains work like tiny but powerful supercomputers that take in facts and use logic to make rational judgments. But the truth is a little more complicated than that.
While we may hope to avoid biases, several types of cognitive biases can alter how we make decisions. These unconscious biases can lead us to make inaccurate judgments and behave in irrational ways. They can also hinder personal growth.
Being aware of the types of cognitive and unconscious biases can help you understand how they form, recognize them in yourself, and overcome them.
What is cognitive bias?
A cognitive bias is a systematic error in thinking that relies on your perceptions, observations, and experiences rather than on facts. It’s your brain’s attempt to behave more efficiently by creating mental shortcuts. These are also known as availability heuristics, and your brain uses them to speed information processing.
A cognitive bias is sometimes called an implicit bias, meaning these thought processes usually happen outside your self-awareness. This is different from a conscious bias, which is an explicit bias that you know exists. Cognitive biases can affect decision-making without your realization and lead you to avoid information you don’t want to see. They can also cause you to see patterns that aren’t actually there.
It’s important to try to recognize and counteract cognitive biases in yourself because they can distort your critical thinking and cause you to make irrational decisions. This can harm your relationships by leading you to make inaccurate judgments about others and treat them accordingly.
Cognitive bias vs. unconscious bias
While cognitive biases and unconscious biases are both common forms of implicit bias, there are some differences. The main distinction between the two is that cognitive biases are typically formed on an individual basis based on your own experiences and beliefs, while unconscious biases are social stereotypes typically held by certain societal groups. These biases are learned through interactions with others in your culture.
Types of cognitive bias vs. unconscious bias
Many types of bias can impact the way you think and interpret information. Here are some of the most common types of cognitive bias vs. unconscious biases and examples of what they look like in practice.
Types of cognitive bias with examples
Psychologists Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman first introduced the idea of cognitive bias in a 1974 paper published in the journal Science. Since then, research in social psychology and behavioral economics has confirmed dozens of cognitive biases.
Below are some common cognitive biases and cognitive bias examples that can impact how you navigate the world.
- Confirmation bias: This self-serving bias refers to your tendency to look for information that confirms what you already believe. It also causes you to ignore information that would disprove your beliefs.
Example: You only pay attention to news sources that reinforce your particular political or economic views.
- Anchoring bias: The anchoring bias refers to your tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information you encounter, even if you receive information later that contradicts it.
Example: Seeing a house that costs $1 million and then finding a second one for $500,000 and feeling as though the second house seemed inexpensive. However, if the first house you saw was $200,000, you’d feel differently about the $500,000 house.
- In-group bias: In-group bias causes you to support or believe in those in your social group but not anyone considered an outsider.
Example: When you find out you like the same sports team or went to the same university as another person, you automatically assume that they must be a “good person” because of this one factor you have in common.
- Fundamental attribution error: Fundamental attribution error (also called the actor-observer bias) refers to your belief that you act irresponsibly in response to a situation outside of your control but that others act this way because of a stable trait, such as their personality.
Example: If someone cuts you off in traffic, you may decide it’s because they’re rude or a terrible driver. But if you cut someone off in traffic, you believe it’s because of the situation. Maybe you were running late, or someone swerved into the lane in front of you.
- Hindsight bias: This bias refers to your tendency to perceive events as more predictable after they happen.
Example: When you see the outcome of a business decision or political election and feel you “knew it’d happen all along.”
- Halo effect: The halo effect bias refers to your tendency to allow your impression of others in one area to influence your overall impression.
Example: When it’s reported that a celebrity you admire has broken the law, the halo effect can cause you to believe this report is false. You may like this person too much to believe it’s true.
- Self-serving bias: Self-serving biases describe your tendency to claim successes but not failures. In other words, you may blame external forces when bad things happen but give yourself credit when good things occur.
Example: A student credits their intelligence and hard work when they get high test scores but think their teacher is at fault if their grade is low.
- Sunk cost fallacy: This logical fallacy refers to a tendency to continue a behavior because of previously invested resources. Another term for this can be “throwing good money after bad.”
Example: Even though you’re full, you feel you have to finish a meal because the food was expensive.
- Negativity bias: This bias refers to the idea that something you perceive as negative has a stronger impact on you than something you perceive as positive.
Example: You receive compliments from five people on your presentation skills but get slight criticism from one colleague, and all you can think about is the negative comment.
- Attentional bias: This refers to the way your perception gets shaped based on what you’re paying attention to.
Example: You buy a new car, and suddenly, you start seeing the same model everywhere you go, even though the number of those automobiles on the road hasn’t changed.
- Overconfidence bias: An overconfidence bias occurs when you hold a false idea about your level of talent, intellect, or skills. This bias is closely related to an optimism bias, which is thinking that you’re less likely to experience a negative event.
Example: You think you have more knowledge of the stock market than you do and invest a significant amount of money, only to lose it all quickly.
- Consensus bias: Also called the false consensus effect, the consensus bias is when you overestimate how similar your beliefs or values are to another person or group of people.
Example: If you’re into fitness, you might assume everyone else is interested in exercise and healthy eating.
Types of unconscious bias with examples
Unconscious biases are often social stereotypes you are unaware you hold. Some of the most common unconscious biases include the following.
- Affinity bias: The affinity bias refers to your tendency to gravitate toward people who are similar to you or who share the same qualities.
Example: A hiring manager may be more likely to hire someone who went to the same school as them or who grew up in the same city, even if another candidate has more experience.
- Conformity bias: Conformity bias happens when you change your views or beliefs to match the opinions of others. This often occurs due to peer pressure.
Example: You show up to a new job wearing casual clothes and notice that your colleagues are dressed more formally. Starting the next day, you begin to dress much more professionally.
- Gender bias: This type of bias happens when you either favor someone or think less of them because of their gender.
Example: You seek out a man to help you hang a decoration even though a woman is nearby.
- Authority bias: Authority bias is your tendency to give more credibility to someone who holds a position of authority or power.
Example: You believe everything your college professor says because of their credentials.
- Name bias: This refers to the potential of judging someone based solely on their name, as a name can give you insights into a person’s gender, race, cultural background, and age.
Example: When choosing between two mentors, you decide to pick the one named Sarah over the one named Abdul simply because “Sarah” sounds more familiar or comfortable to you.
- Distance bias: When you’re dealing with distance bias (also called proximity bias), you tend to prioritize the input of other people in the room or those who are physically close to you over the thoughts of those who are farther away.
Example: As a manager, it’s part of your job to give performance reviews. You award higher scores to in-office workers than to those who are working remotely because they’re physically in the room with you.
- Nonverbal bias: You judge someone positively or negatively based on nonverbal cues, such as posture or body language.
Example: You favor someone who has a firm handshake over someone who gives you an awkward handshake.
How to know if you have a cognitive or unconscious bias
Even though a cognitive bias is unconscious, there are still a few ways to recognize whether you may be influenced by an underlying bias. Signs that you could be experiencing cognitive bias or unconscious bias include the following:
- Only tuning in to news outlets and stories that confirm your opinions
- Attributing other people’s success to luck but taking personal credit for your own accomplishments
- Constantly blaming others and outside factors when things don’t go your way
- Assuming you’re always correct
- Forming an opinion or making a decision before having all the facts
- Always agreeing with the people who are most similar to you
- Assuming that everyone else shares your opinions or beliefs
Bias: the psychological explanation
According to an article published in The Permanente Journal, having unconscious bias is a human condition that is unavoidable because of how our brains work. People often have gaps in their knowledge and experiences that they aren’t consciously aware of. When this happens, our brains seek out patterns to help fill these gaps.
Our brains use these patterns to achieve efficiency in cognition by helping us draw conclusions faster. This process also fosters social learning by helping us acquire knowledge through the observation of others.
This is especially true when it comes to social status, as filling these gaps helps us relate to other people in the social hierarchy. For example, when you see a metal band around someone’s left ring finger, you may assume they’re married. That’s because, in the past, you’ve recognized a pattern where a ring on that particular finger signifies marriage.
Unfortunately, these patterns are not always correct, which is where bias seeps in. When you make decisions, despite having gaps in knowledge or experience, your choices are biased.
How to overcome cognitive biases
Because cognitive biases can affect the decisions you make and cause challenges in your personal and professional life, it’s important to do your best to overcome them. Here are a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood of different types of bias.
1. Be aware
First, you will want to acknowledge that biases exist and your judgments are not always accurate. You’re more likely to be careful as you make assumptions or decisions when you know there are factors that can alter the way you see things.
Participating in a program like unconscious bias training can be helpful. These programs help you strengthen your ability to notice and challenge your own biases. One study published in Psychological Science found that debiasing training programs can improve decision-making in professional and private life.
You can also take an implicit association test, such as the one offered by Harvard, to see if you have an implicit bias or attitude you aren’t aware of.
2. Consider current factors that may be influencing your decision
Consider whether there is anything in the current situation that could lead you to feel overconfident in your convictions or cause you to ignore certain information. Make sure not to fall victim to the bandwagon effect. This happens when you adopt attitudes simply because others are.
3. Reflect on the past
Look for patterns in how you’ve perceived prior situations and where you might have made mistakes. For example, if you see that you tend to ignore facts or overemphasize your gut feelings, lean into opportunities to further explore the data presented to you.
4. Be curious
Being curious can help you avoid cognitive bias. Curiosity causes you to pause long enough to ask good questions, which stops you from making assumptions that you’re always right.
5. Strive for a growth mindset
People with a growth mindset tend to learn from criticism and believe they can develop improved cognitive abilities. Rather than covering up errors, they know it’s possible to learn from mistakes.
They don’t believe that factors are “fixed” or unchangeable, but that cognitive bias modification is possible with some work and effort. A growth mindset is one of many heuristics that can help move you in the right direction.
6. Identify what makes you uncomfortable
Consider whether there are people or situations that rub you the wrong way. Ask yourself what makes you respond as you do and whether a bias could be impacting your perspective. Then, keep this knowledge in mind when you’re in similar situations in the future.
7. Embrace the opposite
Trying to understand an issue from both sides can make you a stronger critical thinker and help you see the world with more empathy. Challenge yourself to believe the opposite of your initial reaction and pay attention to what happens.
8. Seek multiple perspectives
Solicit feedback and perspectives from others. Asking others for input can help you find potential blind spots and stop you from being overconfident and biased.
9. Look for disconfirming evidence
Go out of your way to seek information that challenges your beliefs, and watch for any shifts in your perspective. This can help you understand others better and give more credibility to whoever is on the other side of a disagreement.
10. Practice intellectual humility
Intellectual humility is about remaining open to the idea that you might be wrong. Rather than blindly standing by your convictions, ask, “What might I be missing here?” This can be a great learning experience and help you become more open-minded.
Cognitive bias vs. unconscious bias: how to overcome both
Despite the differences between cognitive bias vs. unconscious bias, humans naturally struggle with both. To make better, more sound decisions, it’s up to you to recognize your biases and put in effort to overcome them.
If you’re having trouble identifying your biases, consider working with a coach. Coaches are trained to help you uncover and resolve the parts of yourself you may be blind to so you can become the best version of yourself.
Start your self-improvement journey by working with a BetterUp Coach to mitigate unconscious patterns that may hinder your growth.
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