May 1, 2024
Updated May 11, 2025
19 minute read
Cognitive bias refers to systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment. Essentially, these are mental shortcuts, or heuristics, that our brains use to process information quickly and make decisions. While often helpful for navigating a complex world with speed, these biases can also lead to perceptual distortions, inaccurate judgments, illogical interpretations, and irrationality. Understanding cognitive biases is crucial because they can subtly shape our perceptions and actions in ways we may not realize, influencing a significant portion of our decisions.
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Find a path to becoming a Cognitive Bias. Learn more at:
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Reading list
We've selected 11 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Cognitive Bias.
Is an in-depth exploration of the cognitive biases that affect our decision-making, written by Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman, one of the world's foremost experts in this field. It provides a comprehensive overview of cognitive bias and offers practical strategies for overcoming them.
Examines the cognitive biases that lead us to make irrational decisions in many areas of life, from finance to relationships. Ariely, a behavioral economist, uses real-world examples and experiments to illustrate how these biases can affect our thinking and decision-making.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of 99 cognitive biases, offering practical advice for avoiding them and making better decisions. Dobelli, an investor and entrepreneur, draws on his experience in the financial world to illustrate how cognitive biases can affect our decision-making.
Tells the story of the friendship between two psychologists, Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, whose groundbreaking research on cognitive biases revolutionized our understanding of how we make decisions. Lewis, a bestselling author, provides a fascinating account of the men and their work.
Explores the concept of nudges, small changes to our environment that can help us make better decisions. Thaler and Sunstein, behavioral economists, provide a practical guide to using nudges to improve our decision-making in areas such as health, finance, and happiness.
Examines the science of habit formation and provides practical strategies for changing our habits. Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, draws on research from neuroscience, psychology, and business to explain how habits work and how we can use this knowledge to improve our lives.
Explores the cognitive biases that lead us to justify our own mistakes and bad behavior, even when confronted with evidence to the contrary. Tavris and Aronson, social psychologists, provide a fascinating look at the psychology of self-justification.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the cognitive processes involved in thinking and decision-making, including cognitive biases. Evans, a cognitive psychologist, offers a detailed examination of the latest research in this field.
Examines the use of heuristics, or mental shortcuts, in decision-making and how these heuristics can lead to cognitive biases. Gigerenzer, a cognitive psychologist, challenges the traditional view of rationality and argues that heuristics can often lead to better decisions than more complex and time-consuming methods.
Explores the unconscious forces that influence our thoughts and behaviors, including cognitive biases. Dutton, a psychologist, provides a fascinating look at the hidden motives that drive our decision-making.
Examines the cognitive biases that can affect financial decision-making, such as those that can lead to poor investment choices or excessive risk-taking. Thaler, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, provides a comprehensive overview of the research on cognitive biases in finance.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/c4iwq3/cognitive
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