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Human decision-making is a mess. Sure, we like to believe our judgment is rational, formed by careful consideration of evidence and ideas. In reality, our opinions are often based on beliefs that have a fast-and-loose relationship with facts. Much of our thinking is tainted with bias. Rather than data driving our decisions, preconceptions cause us to filter or twist facts. We accept bad information because it reinforces our beliefs.
Dozens of cognitive biases in humans have been identified by researchers.
Here are a few:
Confirmation bias is when we search for and give greater weight to evidence that confirms what we already think and ignore or discount facts that contradict.