One of the key activities associated with learning is exploring and understanding the way the human brain functions, and using the results of this to properly hack the critical thinking process. For example, did you know that something called a cognitive bias exists? This term refers to the tendency to think in certain ways. Critical thinking is an increasingly important skill that has been overlooked by many as information becomes more accessible and superfluous. Today, a critical thinker is able to set him or herself apart by lending his or her brain to the many others who have not yet figured it out. Becoming this “thought leader,” if you will, is beneficial in many ways, including the ability to gain the trust of those with whom you wish to connect as well as the authority in the space in which you have established your expertise.

1. Learning to Learn:
Five Cognitive
Biases and
How to Fight Them
Ally Greer
Community Manager, Scoop.it
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

2. The goal: using our brains
to their fullest potential to become
better critical thinkers.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

3. The challenge:
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

4. What is a cognitive bias?
The tendency to think
in a certain way that
could affect the rationality
and accuracy of assertions.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

5. Why should I care?
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

6. As a good critical thinker, you can...
Gain authority and trust
Lead others to
intelligent conclusions
Become a thought leader
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

7. @allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

8. The backfire effect
The rejection of evidence that
contradicts your point of view.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

9. The anti-backfire
effect
View your opinions as hypotheses.
Accept contradicting data as
new knowledge.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

10. The hard-easy bias
Overconfidence in easy
situations
and under confidence
in difficult situations.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

11. The anti-hard-easy bias
Define, recognize, and
leverage your capabilities
and weaknesses.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

12. Irrational escalation
Compounding a bad investment
because “it’s already bad.”
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

13. Anti-irrational escalation
If one thing turns out badly, the
best thing to do is to make
the rest of it turn out well.
Crisis averted.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

14. The observer-expectancy effect
When expectations
influence outcome.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

15. The anti-observerexpectancy effect
Re-open your mind.
Data rarely lies.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

16. Reactance
The desire to do the opposite of
what you’re asked or advised,
simply to prove your freedom of
choice.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

17. Anti-reactance
Swallow your pride.
They have your best
interests in mind, and
are still aware of your
free will.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13

18. Read more info and find
examples here.
@allygreer
Friday, November 1, 13