Cognitive Biases You Probably Fell For This Week (Without Realising)

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Every day, your brain takes shortcuts. It’s efficient, but not always accurate. These mental shortcuts—known as cognitive biases—can quietly influence your choices, beliefs, and even your relationships. The wild part? You probably fell for several this week without realizing it.

Let’s uncover the most common biases that sneak into your daily life and how to outsmart them.

1. ⚖️ Confirmation Bias

What it is: The tendency to seek out information that confirms your existing beliefs. How it showed up: You read an article that supports your opinion and ignored one that challenges it. How to beat it: Actively seek opposing viewpoints. Ask yourself, “What would someone who disagrees say?”

2. 🧍‍♂️ Fundamental Attribution Error

What it is: Overestimating personality-based explanations for others’ behaviour while underestimating situational factors. How it showed up: You thought your coworker was lazy for missing a deadline—without knowing they had a family emergency. How to beat it: Consider external factors before jumping to conclusions.

3. 🛍️ Anchoring Bias

What it is: Relying too heavily on the first piece of information you receive. How it showed up: You saw a shirt priced at £100, then found one for £60 and thought it was a bargain—even if £60 is still steep. How to beat it: Always compare prices and question your initial reference point.

4. 📈 Availability Heuristic

What it is: Judging the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind. How it showed up: You worried about plane crashes after seeing one in the news, even though driving is statistically riskier. How to beat it: Look at actual data, not just vivid stories.

5. 🧠 Dunning-Kruger Effect

What it is: People with low ability at a task overestimate their ability. How it showed up: You felt confident about a topic after watching a single YouTube video. How to beat it: Stay humble. Expertise takes time and depth.

6. 🧍‍♀️ Ingroup Bias

What it is: Favoring people who belong to your group over outsiders. How it showed up: You trusted advice from a colleague in your department more than someone from another team. How to beat it: Evaluate ideas based on merit, not group identity.

7. ⏳ Sunk Cost Fallacy

What it is: Continuing a behavior due to previously invested resources (time, money, effort). How it showed up: You kept watching a boring series because you’d already watched three episodes. How to beat it: Cut your losses. Focus on future value, not past investment.

🧭 Why This Matters

Cognitive biases aren’t flaws—they’re features of a brain built for speed, not perfection. But recognizing them is the first step toward better decisions, clearer thinking, and stronger relationships.

Next time you catch yourself making a snap judgment or clinging to a belief, pause and ask: Is this my bias talking?

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Steven Lucas MBACP PNCPS (Accred) is a professional counselling psychotherapist working in Northamptonshire. Read Full Bio.

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Disclaimer:

I am not a doctor so this guide should not be considered a replacement for seeking medical advice. It is also not a substitute for obtaining therapy as other factors, such as trauma, need to be considered.

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