Understanding Cognitive Bias
Imagine you’re walking through a dense forest, and suddenly, you hear a rustling in the bushes. Your heart begins to race, and your mind jumps to a single, instinctual conclusion: danger.
In this split second, your brain has just demonstrated a classic example of cognitive bias, known as the “fight or flight” response. While this rapid judgment may have served our ancestors well in the wild, it’s just one of many cognitive biases that can influence our decisions and perceptions in the modern, complex world we inhabit.
In this article, I want to delve into the fascinating realm of cognitive biases, exploring how these mental shortcuts shape our thinking, often in ways we’re entirely unaware of, and how understanding them can lead us to be more effective in how we present information to people as an influencer.
Defining Cognitive Bias
Cognitive bias is a term that refers to the way our brains can make automatic and unintentional errors in thinking. These biases happen because our minds take shortcuts when processing information, leading us to make decisions and judgments that might not be entirely accurate or logical.
Imagine our brains as super-fast computers that sometimes use quick but imperfect methods to process information. These shortcuts can help us make decisions quickly, which is often useful in our daily lives.
However, they can also lead us to make mistakes or misinterpret things without even realising it.
For example, let’s say you meet someone new, and they remind you of a friend you like. You might assume the new person is friendly and trustworthy just because they resemble your friend. This is an example of a cognitive bias called “halo effect,” where one positive trait influences your perception of other unrelated traits.
Cognitive biases can affect how we interpret events, make judgments, and even influence our beliefs.
Being aware of these biases can cause us as influencers, to be a lot more thoughtful about how we approach the delivery of information to audiences of any size.
Unintentionally Causing Cognitive Bias
It is possible for a presenter to inadvertently cause an unwanted cognitive bias in an audience unintentionally.
Cognitive biases can arise from various factors including how information is presented, the language used, the order of information, and the overall framing of the message.
Even if the presenter does not intend to manipulate or influence the audience in a biased manner, certain communication choices can inadvertently trigger cognitive biases, leading to unintended effects on the audience’s perceptions and decisions.
Here are a few ways unintentional cognitive biases can emerge during presentations or communication:
1. Unconscious Biases:
Presenters may unknowingly hold certain biases themselves, which can subtly influence how they frame the information. These unconscious biases can manifest in language choices, examples, or the emphasis placed on specific points, leading to unintentional bias in the presentation.
2. Framing Effects:
The way information is framed at the beginning of a presentation can set the tone and influence the audience’s perception throughout the rest of the talk. If the framing inadvertently triggers a cognitive bias, it can impact how the audience interprets the subsequent information.
3. Anchoring Bias:
Providing a specific reference point or starting value in the presentation can anchor the audience’s subsequent judgments and decisions. If this anchor is unintentionally biased or misleading, it can skew the audience’s perceptions and evaluations.
4. Confirmation Bias:
Even without intending to do so, a presenter’s emphasis on certain evidence or examples that support their main argument might unintentionally reinforce the audience’s existing beliefs or preconceived notions.
5. Availability Heuristic:
If a presenter predominantly uses recent or vivid examples to illustrate their points, the audience may overweigh the importance of those examples, leading to biased judgments.
6. Cultural Biases:
Different cultures have distinct cognitive biases that influence how information is processed and interpreted. A presenter who is not aware of these cultural biases may inadvertently trigger unintended biases in their audience.
Minimising the Risk of Unintentional Cognitive Biases
To minimise the risk of unintentional cognitive biases, presenters should strive to:
– Be aware of their own biases and actively work to present information in a fair and balanced manner.
– Use evidence-based and objective language when presenting data or making arguments.
– Avoid leading or suggestive questions that may steer the audience’s thoughts in a particular direction.
– Provide a comprehensive and well-rounded view of the topic, addressing counterarguments and alternative perspectives.
– Be transparent about their intentions and any potential conflicts of interest.
Regularly seeking feedback from the audience and being open to constructive criticism can also help presenters identify and address any unintended biases in their communication.
Addressing Cognitive Bias by Providing Information
Let’s suppose that you are delivering a presentation with the intention of getting them to buy in to some idea.
Providing the audience with necessary background information and knowledge before delivering your pitch can be an effective way to address potential cognitive bias.
By doing so, you level the playing field and ensure that everyone has access to the same information, reducing the chances of misinterpretation or skewed judgments based on incomplete data.
When the audience lacks crucial background information, they may be more susceptible to cognitive biases such as the availability heuristic or confirmation bias.
By giving them the relevant context and facts, you enable them to make more informed decisions and evaluations during your pitch.
Here are some benefits of providing background information before your pitch:
1. Clarity:
By establishing a common understanding of the subject matter, you can ensure that your message is clear and easily comprehensible to the audience.
2. Engagement:
When the audience is equipped with the necessary knowledge, they are more likely to engage with your pitch actively and ask relevant questions.
3. Transparency:
Providing background information shows transparency and a willingness to share essential details, fostering trust and credibility with the audience.
4. Reduced Likelihood of Misinterpretations:
When the audience has the same foundational knowledge as you, they are less likely to misinterpret your points or draw incorrect conclusions based on incomplete information.
5. Balanced Analysis:
Equipping the audience with background information allows them to critically assess your pitch, reducing the chances of solely relying on cognitive biases and encouraging more thoughtful evaluations.
However, it’s essential to strike a balance in the level of detail you provide. Avoid overwhelming the audience with excessive information, as that may lead to information overload or boredom. Tailor your explanation to the specific needs of the audience and the key points you want to convey in your pitch.
Remember that addressing potential cognitive bias is an ongoing process throughout your pitch. Engage with your audience, encourage questions and feedback, and be open to clarifying any points that might still be unclear to them. This approach will enhance the chances of getting their buy-in and support for your ideas or proposals.
The Presenter’s Pre-Framing Strategy
In influence psychology we talk about pre-framing which is establishing the frame of reference at the front end of a presentation. How does this relate to addressing cognitive bias?
Pre-framing, also known as framing or setting the frame, is a persuasive communication technique used to shape how an audience perceives information or a topic from the outset.
It involves strategically presenting information or context at the beginning of a presentation to influence the audience’s interpretation and judgment throughout the rest of the communication. The goal of pre-framing is to guide the audience’s thought process and create a favourable environment for the main message or argument.
When it comes to addressing cognitive bias, pre-framing can be an effective strategy to mitigate the impact of biases that might affect how the audience interprets the information presented. By setting the frame early on, you can direct the audience’s attention to relevant aspects and provide context that helps them process the information more objectively and accurately. Here’s how pre-framing can relate to addressing cognitive bias:
1. Guiding Attention:
Certain cognitive biases, like the availability heuristic or anchoring bias, can cause the audience to focus on specific information while overlooking other essential aspects. By pre-framing, you can draw attention to the most relevant and critical points, ensuring they are not overshadowed by less significant details.
2. Counteracting Confirmation Bias:
Pre-framing can present a balanced and neutral context for the information, making it more difficult for the audience to selectively interpret the data to confirm their existing beliefs or expectations. By setting an unbiased frame, you encourage the audience to consider the information more objectively.
3. Contextualising Information:
Cognitive biases may lead to misinterpretation or misjudgment due to a lack of context. Pre-framing allows you to provide the necessary background information, clarifications, and explanations, reducing the risk of misunderstanding or misapplying the data.
4. Engaging Curiosity:
Pre-framing can pique the audience’s curiosity and interest, leading them to approach the subsequent information with an open and inquisitive mindset. This can counteract biases like the bandwagon effect or affective forecasting, which might influence decisions based on social influence or emotional predictions.
5. Creating a Favourable Environment:
By setting a positive and receptive frame, you can create a psychological atmosphere that encourages the audience to be more receptive to your message. This can be particularly helpful in counteracting resistance or reactance biases that arise when the audience feels their freedom of choice is being threatened.
Remember that while pre-framing can help address cognitive biases, it’s essential to do so ethically and transparently.
Avoid using manipulative or deceptive techniques that exploit biases rather than mitigating them.
The goal should be to foster an informed and rational decision-making process in your audience by providing them with a fair and unbiased frame of reference.
More Information
For more information about the work of George Lee Sye, visit www.9skillsfactory.com where you’ll discover one of the most significant professional development programs in the world today covering topics of leadership, influence, business execution, and lean six sigma.