Biases

Types of biases
Individually, you need to research the different types of bias that can occur and
write a brief definition in the table.

Type of bias

The tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing

beliefs or theories.
Confirmation
E.g. if we are convinced that a particular investment is good, we may
bias
ignore warning signs that it might not be

when you focus on the first piece of information you receive during a
decision-making process and fail to consider any other information that
Anchoring bias
followsE.g. if you first see a T-shirt that costs $1,200 – then see a second
one that costs $100 – you're prone to see the second shirt as cheap.

failure to publish the results of a study “on the basis of the direction or
strength of the study findings.”- E.g. publishing results of studies that
Publication bias
show a new treatment provides significant benefits, but not always
publishing studies that show less or no benefit

when we attribute positive events and successes to our own character or

actions but blame negative results on external factors. E.g. ace an exam-
The self-serving bias would lead you to believe that it's because you
Self-serving studied hard. 2 If you failed, on the other hand, you might believe it was
bias because the teacher didn't explain the subject correctly, the classroom
was too warm, or your roommate kept you up all night before the exam.

the tendency to see events as being more predictable than they were-
A spectator claiming, “I knew they were going to win!” after the game was
over.
Hindsight bias An investor thinking, “I knew that stock was going to go up!” after the
stock had already increased in value.
A person stating, “I knew that relationship wasn't going to work out!” after
a couple breaks up.

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 failure to publish the results of a study “on the basis of the direction or
strength of the study findings.” E.g. when Attorney General Spitzer of
Publication bias New York charged a pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline, with
concealing information about the safety and effectiveness of an
antidepressant.

Framing” refers to whether an option is presented as a loss (negative) or

a gain (positive). E.g. While doing your groceries, you see two different
beef products. Both cost and weigh exactly the same. One is labeled
Framing effect
“80% lean” and the other “20% fat.” Comparing the two, you feel that
20% fat sounds like an unhealthy option, so you choose the 80% lean
option.

Status quo bias refers to people's preference for keeping things the way
they currently are. E.g. having dinner with your friends at a restaurant you
go to often. Looking at the menu, you feel tempted to try a new dish.
Status-quo bias
However, you are really hungry, and you don't want to risk choosing
something you don't like. Because of status quo bias, you want to be on
the safe side.

The bandwagon effect refers to the tendency of people to adopt certain

behaviors, styles, or attitudes simply because everyone else is doing it.
Bandwagon E.g. Diets: When everyone seems to adopt a particular fad diet, people
effect become more likely to try it themselves.
Elections: People are more likely to vote for the candidate they think is
winning.

False consensus effect is a type of bias in which we think that our own
opinions, attitudes, beliefs, etc. are common and appropriate, so that
False
others must also feel the same way.
consensus
E.g. a child's assumption that their favorite snack is every other child's
effect
favorite snack. Because that child loves pudding, they assume that other
children do as well.

TThe illusory truth effect describes how, when we are repeatedly

exposed to misinformation, we are more likely to believe that it's true.
Illusory truth
E.g. Because of the illusory truth effect even if your child knows a fact to
effect
be true or not true, in hearing the fact over and over again they begin to
see the untrue fact as the truth.

Affinity bias Affinity bias is the tendency to favor people who share similar interests,
backgrounds, and experiences with us.
E.g. Hiring candidates who are not the most qualified for a given role.
Passing over deserving people for promotions.

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 Leaders dismissing new, different ideas.
Overlooking people for praise and rewards.

the tendency to explain a person's behaviour by referring to their

character rather than any situational factor.
E.g. Hiring candidates who are not the most qualified for a given role.
Attribution bias
Passing over deserving people for promotions.
Leaders dismissing new, different ideas.
Overlooking people for praise and rewards.

Challenge tasks:
1. Try and find other types of bias that are not in this table and add them to the list.

Contrast effect is an unconscious bias that happens when two things are judged
in comparison to one another, instead of being assessed individually. Our
perception is altered once we start to compare things to one another. We tend to
judge them relative to each other rather than on their own merit.
Survivorship Bias:

Focusing on the success stories (or surviving examples) while overlooking those
that did not survive. This can lead to an overestimation of the likelihood of
success or effectiveness.
Example: In historical research, examining only the empires that thrived while
ignoring those that collapsed can blur our understanding of what contributes to a
successful civilization.
Semmelweis Reflex: Explanation: The tendency to reject new evidence or
knowledge simply because it contradicts established norms, beliefs, or
paradigms. Example: In medical research, initial resistance to new treatments or
procedures (like the initial rejection of handwashing in hospitals) can be
influenced by this bias.
How might some of these apply to certain AOKs?

These apply to AOK’s because our understanding can be distorted by bias.

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