Blind Spot-an area in which one fails to exercise right judgment or discrimination.
Every human being has blind spots. One type can occur when we are driving and there is an area of the road that isn't visible to us in the rear-view or side-view mirrors. So you see(pun unintended) some blind spots can be dangerous. What's more, we have a natural blind spot in our eyes. Don't believe it? Then try this test.
Mental blind spots are called cognitive biases or mindsets. They are errors in reasoning, remembering, or evaluating. Often they exist because of our stubborn choice to continue to believe a falsehood despite evidence and facts to the contrary. Below is a small list and summary of some biases we might possess:
1. Confirmation bias-filtering out anything that doesn't go along with our belief system or preferences. (Stubborness?)
2. Groupthink-agreeing with others to avoid conflict. Going along with the crowd. (Cowardess?)
3. Anchoring effect-When making decisions you rely too much on the information you receive first. (Slothfulness?)
4. Framing Effect-drawing different conclusions from same information based on how the information was presented to you. (lack of discernment or false perception?)
5. Outcome bias-judging decisions by the eventual outcome rather the quality of the decision. (Foolishness?)
6. Status Quo bias-preferring the present state of things or a natural bias toward current or previous choices. (Fearfulness or Indifference?)
7. Optimism bias-a cognitive bias that causes someone to believe that they themselves are less likely to experience a negative event. (Pride?)
8. PESSIMISM Bias- overestimating the likelihood that bad things will happen. (depression or unbelief?)
#8
Let's look at number 8 first. A prime example of this comes from the Old Testament. God had miraculously delivered the Israelites out of the hands of their enemies when He parted the Red sea for them. In the beginning of Exodus 15 they are singing and rejoicing because of their victory. Dancing and playing the timbrels. Yet three days later they murmured and complained because they hadn't found water to drink. How quickly they had forgotten the powerful and wonderful God who had recently delivered them from slavery.
Once again God supplied their needs. Did it produce faith or trust in their hearts for the One, true, living God? No. As you can read in Exodus 16, they started complaining, saying they wished they had died as slaves in Egypt where there was plenty of food. They really turned out to be a rebellious and unthankful people. When we become pessimistic like this we need to remember this scripture for our good:
21This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord Lamentations 3
#7
The opposite bias is optimism. When we erroneously think no harm, pain, or sorrow can touch us then we are seriously delusional. Trouble comes to everyone as long as we are in these mortal bodies. Your problems may not be the same as someone else's but you'll have them like every other human being that lives. Yes, optimism can be a good thing if it's balanced with reality, not arrogant presumption.
#6
If you don't like any kind of change in your life you might have status quo bias. Sometimes things or situations need to progress or improve. If you choose not to take any positive actions to move forward then you might be comfortable with the status quo. As a result you'll be indifferent and your life will become stagnant. Do you know what happens to a stagnant pond? Scum begins to build upon it and the smell is often odorous like rotten eggs.
If you don't like any kind of change in your life you might have status quo bias. Sometimes things or situations need to progress or improve. If you choose not to take any positive actions to move forward then you might be comfortable with the status quo. As a result you'll be indifferent and your life will become stagnant. Do you know what happens to a stagnant pond? Scum begins to build upon it and the smell is often odorous like rotten eggs.
#5
If a person decides to get drunk at a bar and then drives home because they don't want to spend money on a cab, is that a good decision? Does it matter that they didn't wreck? If a student studies hard for a test and they fail it, does that mean they shouldn't have studied? If a christian witnesses in a foreign country and they are murdered as a result, then should they have stayed silent? These are examples of how outcome based bias can manifest. You can also read Paul's Story here that gives an example of disregard for this bias.
#4
Basically, the framing effect is about how our perspective of a situation is skewed.(make biased or distorted in a way that is regarded as inaccurate, unfair, or misleading). This happens constantly in the media. Here is a simplistic example-An opinion poll about Capital Punishment was taken: 1) Fifty-three percent of people believe capital punishment is murder(the negative spin). 2) Fifty-three percent of people believe capital punishment is justice(positive spin).They will put a negative spin on an issue they want you to see as negative. Conversely, they will put a positive spin on an issue they want to be seen as positive.
#3
Anchoring effect occurs when a person is influenced unconsciously by the first piece of information (considered to be the anchor), which in turn affects their final decision. For instance, if you're shopping for a computer and you find one you like for $1000. Then you see a sign that reads "15% discount on all computers. You say "Great! This is a good deal. I'm buying it." But you didn't check any other store's prices on that same computer. If you had, you would've found one just like it for $200 less.
#2
Groupthink bias is also called the Bandwagon effect. Human beings are prone to go along with the crowd. And there can be a variety of reasons for it, depending on the situation. Maybe it's no big deal-the majority at work want blue paint on the break room walls but you'd prefer green. So you agree with the consensus. Then again, it might be a far more important matter such as the best care for an elderly grandparent. Don't forget that the majority isn't always right. The decision should be made with polite discussion and informed debate. Remember this-If everybody is always thinking the same then something is wrong.
#1
When we believe something to be true we often search for information that confirms those preconceived ideas. But what if we're wrong? The best way to know the truth is to seek for it in a logical and rational manner. We have to put aside our emotions and opinions and desire truth alone. Here is a good article about how to overcome confirmation bias.
Since perusing this list, I've come to realize how Bible readers may misinterpret scriptures from the use of these same biases. And that would be dangerous and harmful indeed. I plan to address this in an upcoming post. Prayers appreciated..
#3
Anchoring effect occurs when a person is influenced unconsciously by the first piece of information (considered to be the anchor), which in turn affects their final decision. For instance, if you're shopping for a computer and you find one you like for $1000. Then you see a sign that reads "15% discount on all computers. You say "Great! This is a good deal. I'm buying it." But you didn't check any other store's prices on that same computer. If you had, you would've found one just like it for $200 less.
#2
Groupthink bias is also called the Bandwagon effect. Human beings are prone to go along with the crowd. And there can be a variety of reasons for it, depending on the situation. Maybe it's no big deal-the majority at work want blue paint on the break room walls but you'd prefer green. So you agree with the consensus. Then again, it might be a far more important matter such as the best care for an elderly grandparent. Don't forget that the majority isn't always right. The decision should be made with polite discussion and informed debate. Remember this-If everybody is always thinking the same then something is wrong.
#1
When we believe something to be true we often search for information that confirms those preconceived ideas. But what if we're wrong? The best way to know the truth is to seek for it in a logical and rational manner. We have to put aside our emotions and opinions and desire truth alone. Here is a good article about how to overcome confirmation bias.
Since perusing this list, I've come to realize how Bible readers may misinterpret scriptures from the use of these same biases. And that would be dangerous and harmful indeed. I plan to address this in an upcoming post. Prayers appreciated..
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12 (Repeated again in Proverbs 16:25)
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Psalms 19:12, 13
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalms 139:23, 24
