To avoid mistakes, we aim to preserve autonomy and group status, and avoid irreversible decisions

Deep Dive

All Biases

System Justification

We defend and justify the existing social, economic, and political systems, even at personal cost.

Reactance

When we feel our freedom is threatened, we react by wanting the opposite of what we're being pushed to do.

Decoy Effect

Our preference between two options changes when a third, asymmetrically dominated option is introduced.

Social Comparison Bias

We favor potential candidates who don't compete with our own strengths when making hiring or selection decisions.

Status Quo Bias

We prefer the current state of affairs and resist change, even when change would be beneficial.

Abilene Paradox

A group collectively decides on a course of action that is counter to the preferences of all individuals in the group.

Law of the Instrument

We over-rely on a familiar tool or approach ("If you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail").

Chesterton's Fence

We should understand why something exists before removing it, as it may serve a purpose we're unaware of.

Ambiguity Effect

We avoid options where the probability of a favorable outcome is unknown, preferring options with known probabilities.