The Psychology of Decision Making: How Cognitive Biases Affect Our Choices

 

You Think You’re a Rational Genius?

Of course you do. You read labels before buying shampoo. You once said “pass” on a timeshare. You even watched a documentary on Netflix called The Brain Explained, so clearly you’re running a tight cognitive ship.

Except… your brain is probably lying to you. Constantly. Like a sneaky little gremlin in your head whispering, “Buy the name brand. It’s better. Trust me.” This article is your wake-up call, your decoder ring, your Scooby-Doo unmasking scene for the mysterious monster known as cognitive bias.

Ready to discover why you think you’re in charge—when your subconscious is actually running the show like a caffeinated toddler with a steering wheel? Let’s go.

Meet the Villains – Cognitive Biases Assemble

You’re just out here living your life—ordering coffee, picking health insurance, choosing which socks to wear—and meanwhile your brain is like, “Hey, let’s base this major life decision on what Karen said in 2008.” 

Take a closer look. 

Media Bias Exposed: How to Identify Slanted News Coverage

 

Ah yes, you, the all-seeing, all-knowing news consumer. You scroll through headlines like a boss, skim opinion columns with the grace of a caffeinated scholar, and—if you’re feeling wild—maybe even leave a comment that isn’t written in ALL CAPS.

But now you’re stepping into murkier waters. You’ve decided to decode media bias, because apparently your morning doom-scroll isn’t stressful enough. And why not? You already survive Monday meetings and family WhatsApp groups. How hard can spotting slanted news be?

Spoiler alert: Harder than separating M&Ms by color while blindfolded. But way more fun.

The “I’m Totally Objective” Delusion

You start your journey with a noble heart and questionable confidence. You declare, “I just want the facts!” while clicking on the same news site you’ve used since 2009. It loads, the familiar layout comforts you, and—oh look—another article that totally confirms your opinion. Amazing! 

Unpack the strategy.