Cognitive Bias: we all have them but no one believes they do.

Ritesh Bawri

19 Feb 2025 — 2 min read

Photo by Jr Korpa / Unsplash

A cognitive bias is a “systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.”

We all suffer from biases. The biggest bias, perhaps, is that we are unbiased.

I don’t know anyone who does not like to believe that they are completely free of biases.

That they have the magical ability to be objective, free from all influences of experiences.

So much so that we have a codex of cognitive biases.

Biases come in all forms and shapes. For example, we fill in attributes of people with characteristics that we are aware of, regardless of whether the person has them or not. “She is very stingy,” for example.

Or “I am sure that is what she is planning.” You are attributing complete knowledge and awareness of another persons motives, actions and thoughts regardless of whether you have complete information or not.

Here is the problem.

Since most people have low self-awareness of their biases, they operate from the biases. Worse, they dont know they are.

Since the brain has managed to trick itself, everything seems fine. Often you dont even learn of the consequences of your thoughts and actions.

So what can you do?

Step back. Start by accepting that everyone has cognitive biases. Yes, you too!

Study the codex and then reflect on the kinds of biases that exist. Reflect on your own behaviour.

Ironically, your cognitive bias to seek pattern will kick in. The fog will lift and slowly you will see the biases in your thought and action.

I tried my own. For example, I love to believe I am focused. Therefore to validate my belief, I will complete what ever it is that I am doing, regardless of whether it is useful or not.

But when you peel back from your biases, your ability to think and act improves stemming from a purer objective state of mind.

Reach out to me on twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial and YouTube at www.youtube.com/breatheagain

Ritesh is the founder of BreatheAgain a platform that helps you live a long and healthy life. He is the host of TheRiteshBawriShow and the author of The Amazing Health Transformation.

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