Master Cognitive Biases and Improve Your Critical Thinking from Udemy

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills anyone can learn. Let philosopher Kevin deLaplante introduce you to the cutting edge of critical thinking education, with this entertaining and enlightening introduction to cognitive biases and their importance for critical thinking.

Interest in Cognitive Bias Training Has Exploded

Books and articles on the impact of cognitive biases in business, finance, management, teaching, science, politics, and many other fields, have exploded in popularity in recent years. Many industries have started offering cognitive bias training to management and workers, and the trend is growing.

Benefits of Understanding and Mastering Cognitive Biases

Cognitive biases undermine critical thinking by making us vulnerable to faulty beliefs and bad decisions. Cognitive bias training is motivated by a desire to avoid disasters, improve performance, and promote social justice.

The good news is that there are proven strategies for neutralizing or minimizing the negative effects of cognitive biases. These "debiasing" techniques can be surprisingly simple and effective.

What You Will Learn in This Course

This course will get you up to speed on what cognitive biases are, why they're important for critical thinking, why cognitive bias training has become popular, and what sorts of "debiasing" techniques have been shown to be effective in improving the quality of thinking and decision-making.

Check out the free preview videos in the "Getting Started" section for a full breakdown of the topics covered in the course, and how the course is organized.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand what cognitive biases are and why they're so important for critical thinking.
Understand the concept of "mindware" as a component of improving critical thinking and reasoning.
Understand how ignoring cognitive biases can open the door to disastrous decisions, reduced performance and social injustice.
Understand why many businesses and industries are offering cognitive bias training to their managers and employees.

Be able to describe several important cognitive biases -- such as confirmation bias, pattern-seeking, anchoring, and hindsight bias -- and give examples that illustrate how they operate.
Understand what "debiasing" is, and be able to describe several effective strategies for reducing the harmful effects of cognitive biases.
Explain why many businesses and organizations resist implementing debiasing strategies.

Understand what cognitive biases are and why they're so important for critical thinking.
Understand the concept of "mindware" as a component of improving critical thinking and reasoning.
Understand how ignoring cognitive biases can open the door to disastrous decisions, reduced performance and social injustice.
Understand why many businesses and industries are offering cognitive bias training to their managers and employees.
Be able to describe several important cognitive biases -- such as confirmation bias, pattern-seeking, anchoring, and hindsight bias -- and give examples that illustrate how they operate.
Understand what "debiasing" is, and be able to describe several effective strategies for reducing the harmful effects of cognitive biases.
Explain why many businesses and organizations resist implementing debiasing strategies.

Syllabus

Students will learn about the background and qualifications of the instructor, how the course will be organized, and what the learning goals are for the course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Examines cognitive biases, which are highly relevant to critical thinking in various fields

Taught by Kevin deLaplante, who is recognized for his work in critical thinking and cognitive biases

Provides strategies for neutralizing or minimizing the negative effects of cognitive biases

Covers proven strategies for improving the quality of thinking and decision-making

Explores the importance of cognitive biases for critical thinking, a skill highly valued in the job market

Requires no prerequisites and is suitable for students at various levels of expertise

Reviews summary

Practical guide to cognitive biases

According to learners, this course is a highly practical and engaging introduction to cognitive biases and critical thinking. Students consistently praise the instructor's clear explanations and his ability to make complex topics easily digestible. Many highlight the actionable debiasing strategies, such as PREMORTEM analysis, which they found immediately applicable to real-world decision-making, especially in professional contexts. While it provides a solid foundation for most, some learners with prior knowledge noted it might be too introductory or lacking deeper insights or more interactive exercises if you've already studied the subject extensively.

Well-structured, makes complex topics digestible.

"This course breaks down complex cognitive biases into easily digestible and actionable insights."

"The structure is logical, moving from definitions to specific examples and then to debiasing."

"Well-structured course that provides a solid foundation."

Ideal introduction for those new to cognitive biases.

"A very solid introduction to cognitive biases... Great for understanding the basics."

"Good for total beginners, but not much new for someone with some prior knowledge."

"It mostly rehashed common knowledge about biases. Perhaps better suited for those entirely new to the subject."

Highly practical, actionable debiasing techniques.

"The 'debiasing' strategies; they're genuinely practical and I've started applying them at work."

"The PREMORTEM analysis technique alone made this course worth it. Strongly recommended for professionals."

"The focus on 'mindware' and actionable strategies for debiasing is exactly what I needed. This isn't just theory."

"The practical tips for debiasing are incredibly useful. This course has definitely changed how I approach decisions."

Instructor praised for clear, engaging style.

"The instructor, Kevin, is fantastic at explaining the concepts with clear, relatable examples."

"Kevin's presentation style is clear and engaging, making potentially dry topics fascinating."

"The instructor's explanations are superb, simplifying complex ideas without oversimplifying them."

"Kevin deLaplante makes the concepts of cognitive biases accessible and fun to learn."

May lack depth/novelty for advanced learners.

"I felt some parts could have gone a bit deeper, perhaps with more case studies or interactive exercises."

"It felt a bit superficial at times, especially if you've already read a few books on the topic."

"I was expecting more advanced debiasing techniques or complex scenarios. My previous readings covered much of it."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Master Cognitive Biases and Improve Your Critical Thinking with these activities:

Read 'Thinking Fast and Slow' by Daniel Kahneman

Show steps

Enhances the understanding of cognitive biases by exploring real-world examples and practical applications, offering a comprehensive perspective on the topic.

View Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book thoroughly and make notes
Summarize key concepts and their implications for critical thinking

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete Master Cognitive Biases and Improve Your Critical Thinking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Philosopher

Philosophers research the principles of reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Learners may wish to take this course to strengthen their philosophical foundations for professional research and academic writing.

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Science Writer

Science writers break down complex scientific concepts and turn them into easy-to-understand articles for the public. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking and writing skills, which are essential for success in this field.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their reporting.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help businesses make better decisions. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to identify and avoid biases in data.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts help businesses improve their performance by analyzing their operations and recommending changes. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to identify and avoid biases in their analysis.

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Project Manager

Project managers plan, organize, and execute projects. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their decision-making.

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Consultant

Consultants help businesses solve problems and improve their performance. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to identify and avoid biases in their consulting work.

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Teacher

Teachers plan, prepare, and deliver lessons to students. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their teaching.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their patient care.

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Social Worker

Social workers help people overcome challenges and improve their lives. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their work with clients.

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Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in court and provide legal advice. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their legal work.

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Politician

Politicians make laws and policies that affect the lives of citizens. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their decision-making.

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Salesperson

Salespeople sell products and services to customers. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their sales pitches.

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Recruiter

Recruiters find and hire qualified candidates for open positions. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their hiring decisions.

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Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives provide support to customers and resolve their issues. Learners may wish to take this course to improve their critical thinking skills and learn how to avoid biases in their interactions with customers.

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