A guide to psychology. Issue 13. Thinking Mistakes: How to Avoid the Traps of Your Mind

Description: This article focuses on common thinking mistakes that affect our decision-making and perception of reality. The author gives specific recommendations on how to identify cognitive distortions and form a more accurate picture of the world.


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A guide to psychology. Issue 13. Thinking Mistakes: How to Avoid the Traps of Your Mind

Introduction
Why do we sometimes believe we are right when the facts say otherwise?
Why we can hold illogical views or make financially unprofitable decisions
Even if you are aware of their irrationality? Our brain is an amazing organ, capable of incredible breakthroughs.
But at the same time, he's prone to standard-thinking errors.
What psychologists call cognitive biases.
These mind traps affect our perception of reality, make us misjudge risks.
It is more difficult to adapt to change and often leads to regrettable consequences in personal and professional life.

However, understanding the nature of these distortions opens the way to critical self-examination.
In this article, we will examine a few common "brain errors" and explain,
How to move beyond automatic biases to a more appropriate view of the world.
After all, if you recognize the trap in time, you can adjust your course and make life more conscious.




Main part

What are cognitive distortions?
“Cognitive distortions” are the systematic mistakes we make when processing information.
This is due to the nature of our nervous system and heuristic - "short ways of thinking,"
They save mental energy. Sometimes the brain tends to simplify or smooth out contradictions.
Which leads to wrong conclusions.

It is important to understand that such distortions are not the result of “laziness” or “stupidity”.
They are inherent in most people and perform a certain function, allowing you to quickly navigate the flow of data.
But because of these same "crutches" thought is vulnerable to delusions, myths and self-deception.




Typical thinking mistakes and ways to recognize them
Below we will look at some of the most common thought distortions. You may recognize your own habits in them.
And that would be the first step to change.


1. Confirmation Bias (Confirmation Bias)
We tend to look for and notice only information that confirms our original beliefs.
Ignore facts that suggest otherwise.
That is why the proponents of any conspiracy theory easily find “proof” of their position.
Skeptics, their counter-arguments. The way to fight. consciously examine alternative points of view
And ask yourself, "If my hypothesis is wrong, how can I test it?" ?


2. Survivorship Bias (Survivorship Bias)
We often take only “success stories” into account, ignoring thousands of failures.
As a result, we may misjudge risks and overestimate the likelihood of a positive outcome.
Think about how many startups get shot and how many disappear.
To avoid this trap, try to look at the full picture, considering not only the “heroes”.
But also "losers."


3. The Anchoring Effect (Anchoring Effect)
When we come across some kind of numerical score or benchmark in a conversation,
We are often “attached” to it, and the evaluation of further information is already taking place with an eye to this “point of reference”.
For example, in business negotiations, if one party says a high price, the other unwittingly begins to focus on it.
Even if the realistic cost is much lower.
The best defense is to determine a “fair” amount in advance and consciously check your estimates.


4. Illusion of Control (Illusion of Control)
We tend to overestimate our influence on events that objectively have little influence on us.
This can manifest itself in gambling, where it seems like “I’m going to be lucky right now if I throw the dice in a certain way.”
Or trying to “manage” random circumstances.
To minimize the effect, it is important to soberly assess what we can and cannot influence.


5. The Blind Spot Effect (Bias Blind Spot)
Perhaps the most insidious phenomenon: we perfectly see the distortions in the thinking of other people, but do not notice them in ourselves.
It seems as if their brain is stumbling, and ours is always sober thinking.
However, statistics show that cognitive distortions are common. everywhere.
There is only one way out: to regularly conduct an “intellectual audit” of one’s own beliefs.




How to protect yourself from the traps of the mind?
It is impossible to get rid of cognitive distortions completely: they are part of our nature.
But if you consciously practice several approaches, you can significantly reduce their impact.

• Develop critical thinking. Try to question the information, especially if it causes you strong emotions.
  Apply the principles of scientific analysis: look for evidence, check sources, compare facts.
• Create a “contradictory” environment. Talk to people of different views, listen to their arguments.
  Look for opponents in discussions and watch them criticize your ideas. This is useful for weakening the "confirming bias."
• Capture and analyze solutions. Keep a journal where you describe important decisions.
  Expectations and outcomes. Over time, you’ll notice patterns and be able to discover where you’ve been overly optimistic or biased.
• Practice mindfulness.. Meditation and mindful breathing techniques allow you to better notice automatic reactions.
  before they can add distortions to your perception. The pause between stimulus and response gives space for the mind.
• Look for alternative explanations. Get used to asking, “Maybe it’s different?”
  Build multiple hypotheses in situations where you’re usually sure of a single answer.

Conclusion
The mistakes of thinking are inevitable Any man's companion.
But they should not become an obstacle to development and an adequate perception of reality.
Cognitive distortion can be considered a kind of “price” for speed and efficiency.
It's the brain that navigates this huge data stream.
Nevertheless, conscious work on your rational apparatus helps to minimize the negative consequences of such distortions.

If you notice that you are too sure that you are right, especially when the facts indicate otherwise,
Or that you regularly fall for obvious tricks, it may be time to pay attention to tools.
critical thinking.
Whether it’s reading books on logic and psychology, taking special trainings, or simply a sincere desire for “intellectual honesty.”
Each step in this direction will increase your ability to see things as they are, not as your brain has painted them.

Ultimately, the ability to notice and correct mind-trap It opens up new horizons
for personal and professional growth. Well-understood reality is the foundation for more informed decisions.
productive interaction with people and deep self-knowledge.




Glossary
Cognitive distortions
Systematic errors of perception and thinking resulting from “short paths” and heuristics used by the brain.

Heuristics
Intuitive tricks, or simplified rules, to help us make decisions quickly under uncertainty.

Survivorship Bias (Survivorship Bias)
A tendency to focus on “successful” examples and ignore numerous failures, distorting the picture of reality.

The Anchoring Effect (Anchoring Effect)
The tendency to rely excessively on the first information received (or “anchor”) when evaluating subsequent data.

Illusion of Control (Illusion of Control)
Inflated confidence in our ability to influence events that are objectively beyond our control.

Bias Blind Spot (Blind Spot Effect)
Inability to notice cognitive distortions in oneself when they are clearly observed in other people.