We think we know what other people are thinking

Deep Dive

All Biases

Curse of Knowledge

Once we know something, we find it hard to imagine what it's like not to know it.

Illusion of Transparency

We overestimate the degree to which our internal states are known by others.

Spotlight Effect

We overestimate how much others notice our appearance or behavior.

Illusion of External Agency

We believe that good or bad outcomes are caused by external agents rather than chance.

Illusion of Asymmetric Insight

We believe we know others better than they know us, and that we know ourselves better than others know themselves.

Extrinsic Incentive Error

We believe others are more motivated by external rewards than intrinsic satisfaction, while seeing ourselves as the opposite.

Sexual Overperception Bias

We (particularly men) tend to overestimate the sexual interest or flirtation of others based on neutral cues.