Why It’s Worth It | In our quest to make the right choices, we often find ourselves wrestling with unseen forces—our cognitive biases. These sneaky biases, with names like “fundamental attribution error” and “bias blind spot,” quietly influence our decisions, leaving us unaware of their hold. Can we learn to see our own weaknesses, though? For years, scientists thought not, but recent research tells a different tale. 

In this eye-opening episode of Choiceology, Katy introduces listeners to the art of overcoming cognitive biases—a feat once deemed nearly impossible. The episode begins with an intriguing tale of a video game that immerses US intelligence agents in real-life scenarios, training them to avoid common decision-making pitfalls.

Katy’s first guest, James Korris, shares insights into “Missing: The Pursuit of Terry Hughes,” a game designed to challenge players’ biases as they step into the shoes of a New Yorker unraveling a neighborhood mystery. The game cleverly triggers biases, prompting players to struggle to discern which clues matter.

Enter professor Carey Morewedge, who joins the discussion to reveal his pioneering work on debiasing techniques. He created two games with James, each targeting three of six fundamental biases—bias blind spot, confirmation bias, fundamental attribution error, anchoring, representative heuristics, and social projection. The impact? A staggering 30% reduction in bias immediately post-play and a 23% reduction lasting months later.

Realizing that overcoming our biases is within reach is empowering. But having a concrete action plan is even more so. Professor Jack Soll brings to the table a straightforward four-step checklist for effective decision-making:

1. Be decision-ready: Make important decisions when alert and focused, not tired or emotional.
2. Broaden the frame: Explore a broader range of options and potential outcomes.
3. Seek independent advice: Gather unbiased perspectives by consulting others without revealing your thoughts.
4. Experiment and seek disconfirmation: Challenge your assumptions and be open to unexpected findings.

Background | In this episode, Katy speaks with James Korris, President and CEO of Creative Technologies Incorporated, Dr. Carey Morewedge, professor of marketing at Boston University, and Dr. Jack Soll, professor of management and organization at Duke University. Key takeaways include: 

• Debiasing is possible: Research shows that targeted training can reduce cognitive biases by up to 30%, with effects lasting for months. This challenges the previous notion that biases are unchangeable aspects of human cognition.
• Use immersive learning: Video games and other interactive formats are particularly effective for teaching debiasing techniques because they engage multiple learning pathways and provide immediate feedback.
• Be decision-ready: Make important decisions when well-rested, focused, and emotionally balanced, postponing if not the right time.
• Expand perspective: When facing a decision, we should consciously broaden our frame of reference. This means considering a more comprehensive range of options, potential outcomes, and how our preferences might change in the future. We can uncover better solutions and avoid narrow thinking by thinking beyond the immediate choices presented to us.
• Embrace experimentation: Test ideas using low-cost methods like A/B testing to challenge our assumptions and gather empirical evidence. This experimental mindset helps us overcome confirmation bias and can lead to unexpected discoveries and better outcomes.
• Seek diverse, independent advice: We should consult others without revealing our own thoughts first to avoid influencing their opinions. This approach helps us gather more diverse and potentially valuable insights. Additionally, we can use the “devil’s advocate” technique by actively seeking out opposing viewpoints or assigning someone to argue against our preferred option to uncover potential flaws in our reasoning.
• Practice is critical: Learn to spot common cognitive biases like confirmation bias, fundamental attribution error, and anchoring. By staying aware of these tendencies in our thinking, we can more easily recognize when they influence our judgment. This ongoing practice of self-awareness and reflection is crucial for long-term improvement in our decision-making processes.

Source | Choiceology: Choiceology’s Guide to Better Decisions – Season 13, Episode 4About | Katy Milkman is a behavioral scientist, Wharton professor, national bestselling author, and host of Choiceology, a Charles Schwab original podcast that melds conversations about science, research, and human quirks to help us make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes. She also produces an insightful free newsletter, Milkman Delivers (sign up on her website!). Katy believes the key to changing ourselves for good lies in better understanding the internal obstacles that hold us back.