Thinking errors in psychology of popular psychology myth
Aims
1- gain greater awareness of common mistakes we make mentally processing
2-become more aware
What is psychology?
There are many specializations of psychology such as development, social, cognitive and many
more.
A lot of psychologists do not share the same basics which includes that psychology has many
fields,
Psychology depends on research and statistics
Cognitive heuristics: More efficient, faster
Helps process overwhelming information
limitations
Cognitive: related to the mind
Heuristics: rule of thumb
Availability bias
Judge the probability of events by the readiness with which they come to mind
Decision making or reasoning based on immediate example that comes to mind
Vivid events take precedence
Representative bias
Making assumptions based on whether an event, an object, or a person.
Evaluating something based on how similar it is to something else, based on superficial
resemblance
Helps make quick decisions (which can be helpful in dangerous situations).
Example: Heart diseases are a serious death cause for women because of representative bias.
Confirmation bias
Tendency to commit to one hypothesis without considering other explanations
Tendency to search for and interpret information in a way that confirms beliefs
Filter in what matches, filter out doesn't
Multiple bias
Other thinking errors
Illusory correlation
Perception that two variables are correlated with one another when statistically they are not
Assuming correlation = causation
Common sense
Hunches, intuitions, snapshot judgments, what appears to be obvious
Often not accurate
For example: Punching a pillow reduces anger.
How Myths spread
Exaggeration of a small truth
Exposure to biased sample
Validity effect
Increase in perceived validity of information when it is repeated
How rumors become facts
Bandwagon effect
Probability of adopting a belief increases with the proportion of people who already believe it
Like fads
Related to conformity
Emotional stress causes Ulcers = NOT ACCURATE
Representative bias
When tressed, stomach feels uncomfortable
Confirmation bias and illusory correlation
Patients with ulcer asked if they feel stress
Faith in common sense (“ first instinct fallacy”)
Availability bias
Negative feelings when missing an answer that was originally correct
Bandwagon effect
Opposites attracts
Decades of research are consistent: opposites repel
Two main predictors of attraction
Similarity and proximity
Mid-life Crisis
Time of highest mental health, productivity, happiness
A minority who have midlife crisis have chronic psychological problems
“Signs” of crisis are developmentally natural
Availability bias’
depictions in TV
EXamples of people you know
Women are worse drivers than men
Men cause around 65 to 70 percent more than women
More aggressive
More likely to speed
More likely to take risks
More likely to be under influence of alcohol and drugs
Women may underperform when stereotyped (STEREOTYPE THREAT)
Conclusion
Myths can cause harmful behaviors
Believing myths can lead to missing out on important opportunities
Believing in myths is related to impaired critical thinking
People waste money on ineffective and unnecessary products.
What to do
Avoid resistance due validity effect
Be aware of and recognize cognitive biases
