Heuristics Quote by Sheena Iyengar
““When heuristics don’t yield the results we expect, you’d think we would eventually realize that something’s wrong. Even if we don’t locate the biases, we should be able to see the discrepancy between what we wanted and what we got, right? Well, not necessarily. As it turns out, we have biases that support our biases! If we’re partial to one option—perhaps because it’s more memorable, or framed to minimize loss, or seemingly consistent with a promising pattern—we tend to search for information that will justify choosing that option. On the one hand, it’s sensible to make choices that we can defend with data and a list of reasons. On the other hand, if we’re not careful, we’re likely to conduct an imbalanced analysis, falling prey to a cluster of errors collectively known as “confirmation biases.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Art of Choosing” by Sheena Iyengar, 2011
People often favor information that confirms existing beliefs, leading to biased decisions.
In simple terms: We seek evidence that supports what we already think.
Key Takeaway
Beware of confirmation bias in decision‑making.
Themes
bias
decision‑making
self‑awareness
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- investment choices
- hiring decisions
- research analysis
- everyday judgments
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
confirmation bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you check for bias in your choices?
- What steps can you take to seek contrary evidence?
A Different Perspective
Biases can be subtle and hard to detect.
