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.

Welcome to the Course!

Who is Kevin deLaplante?

What Will I Learn in This Course?

What is a Cognitive Bias?

"Biased" does NOT mean "Prejudiced" or "Bigoted"

An Example: The Gambler's Fallacy

The Most Important Discovery of Modern Psychology

Cognitive Biases and Their Importance for Critical Thinking

A Central Aim of Critical Thinking

"Mindware": Tools for Smart Thinking

Why Are So Many Industries Offering Cognitive Bias Training To Their Employees?

Why is Everyone Talking About Cognitive Biases?

Reason 1: Avoiding Disasters

Reason 2: Improving Performance

Reason 3: Promoting Social Justice

All of This is Just APPLIED CRITICAL THINKING

A Gentle Introduction to Cognitive Biases

There Are Hundreds of Cognitive Biases

We'll Look at FOUR in Detail

(1) Confirmation Bias

What is Confirmation Bias?

Biased Memory and the Lunar Effect

Biased Search for Information (I): Interviews and Framing Effects

Biased Search for Information (II): How Questions Can Manipulate Memory

Biased Interpretation of Information: Mulder, Scully and Giant Alien Spiders

(2) Pattern Seeking

We're Very Good at Seeing Patterns ... Maybe Too Good

We See Faces Everywhere: Why?

Cognitive Biases and Adaptive Shortcuts

Stairway to Heaven, Britney Spears, and Backmasking

Looking for Meaning in German Carpet Bombing Patterns

(3) The Anchoring Effect

What is the Anchoring Effect?

How Much is This Jacket Really Worth?

The Basic Shortcut: "Anchor and Adjust"

Irrelevant Anchors: Judges Literally Roll Dice on Damages

How to Use Anchoring to Manipulate Public Opinion

(4) Hindsight Bias

What Is Hindsight Bias?

How Hindsight Bias is Demonstrated

Hindsight Bias, 9-11 and Earthquake Prediction

Introduction to Debiasing Strategies

Debiasing Strategies: Overview

What is Debiasing?

Debiasing the Decision-Maker

Debiasing the Environment

Why Businesses Often Resist Debiasing

Five Reasons Why Businesses May Resist Debiasing

We Have a BLIND SPOT When It Comes to Our Own Biases

Debiasing Strategies that Work

The General Problem: Narrow Thinking

(1) Consider the Opposite

(2) Make People Accountable

(3) PREMORTEM Analysis

(4) The Value of Checklists

(5-1) The Benefits and Risks of Group Decision-Making

(5-2) The Debiasing Effects of Diversity

(5-3) How to Get the Most Out of Brainstorming

Wrapping Up

What's Next?

Bonus Lecture: Other Courses I Teach and Services I Offer

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

Critical bias in thinking

Learners say this course effectively covers cognitive biases and how to use them to improve critical thinking. The course breaks down critical thinking, explains what biases are, and goes over strategies for identifying and overcoming them. The examples resonate with students and learners say they appreciate that strategies are provided. Many students have recommended this course to others, especially in leadership roles, and say the instructor is engaging and knowledgeable.

This course introduces cognitive biases and their impact on critical thinking. Learners say the course is well-organized and succinctly explains the concepts.

"Yes it was, The Illustrator made it very chatty, However, for subscribers from Africa, i would urge that he slow down a bit in his speech."

"So far the course is perfectly meeting my expectations, it flows very well, and the presenter speaks in a way that is clear and relatable."

The course is relatable as it uses real-world examples to illustrate the concepts being taught. Learners say the examples are memorable and help them to understand the material more thoroughly.

"Loved the examples, it made the course very lively and easier to understand concepts. Speaker is very easy to follow and course structure is clear"

"Really effective communication, that keeps the topic interesting for 2.5 hours. Is very knowledge and covers a good range of bias types and debiasing strategies."

"It was a good course, but I did not like the first section. Too many references to books and being read to from the highlighted sections. Good from Section 2 on."

The course provides practical strategies for overcoming cognitive biases that learners say they have found useful in their personal and professional lives.

"The course was very informative and helpful. I love the format of course and found it fascinating and a good starting point for sub-fields."

"This course is excellent. I am personally really interested in logic and critical thinking and this course explains these topics very well."

"Very nice overview with practical examples and some tools that I can use in my daily experiences. Very much enjoyed learning from this instructor!"

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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