you're biased (and that's okay)

Ever bought something just because it was "70% off," even though you didn't need it?

Or noticed how after buying a blue Honda, you suddenly see blue Hondas everywhere?

Our minds play fascinating tricks on us daily, and understanding these mental shortcuts can help us make better decisions.

Let's dive into three more common thinking patterns that might be secretly influencing your choices more than you realize.

In this edition, I’m gonna be covering:

1. Anchoring Effect

2. Confirmation Bias

3. Baader-Meinhoff Phenomenon / The Frequency Illusion

Into the thick of it, we go.

The Anchoring Effect: When First Impressions Stick Too Well

Picture this: You're shopping for a new laptop, and the first one you see is $2,000. Later, when you find one for $1,200, it suddenly feels like a "good deal" – even though that might still be more than you planned to spend.

That's the anchoring effect in action.

This mental shortcut makes us rely too heavily on the first piece of information we receive.

It's why car dealers show you the expensive model first, or why stores display the "original" price crossed out next to the sale price.

Ever notice how stores put their most expensive items front and center? That $800 designer dress at the entrance isn't just there to look pretty - it makes everything else seem like a bargain in comparison.

Quick reflection: Next time you're making a decision, ask yourself: "Am I letting the first number (or idea) influence me too much?"

Confirmation Bias: Your Brain's Yes-Man

We all have that friend who's convinced their zodiac sign explains everything about their personality, right? They'll remember every time their horoscope was "spot on" but conveniently forget all the times it wasn't.

Welcome to confirmation bias – our tendency to search for and remember information that confirms what we already believe.

It's like wearing rose-colored glasses that only let you see what you want to see. This bias can show up everywhere: in our political views, our relationships, and even in simple everyday decisions.

Think about the last time you bought a product on Amazon based on reviews.
Chances are, you spent more time reading reviews that confirmed what you already thought about it, right?

Try this: The next time you're absolutely sure about something, challenge yourself to find three pieces of evidence that might prove you wrong. It's uncomfortable, but that's where growth happens.

The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon: When the World Seems Full of Coincidences

Remember that blue Honda example at the start? That's the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon, also known as the frequency illusion.

Once something catches your attention, you start noticing it everywhere. Buy a particular brand of shoes, and suddenly "everyone" is wearing them. Learn a new word, and it pops up in every conversation.

Here's the thing: these items were always there – your brain just wasn't tuned in to notice them before. It's like when you learn a new song and suddenly hear it playing everywhere.

Reality check: Next time you experience this, remind yourself: that the world hasn't changed – your attention has.

Putting It All Together

Here are three simple ways to stay grounded:

1. Before making important decisions, sleep on it. This helps break the anchoring effect's spell.
   

2. Actively seek out views that challenge your existing beliefs. Your confirmation bias won't like it, but your understanding will grow.
   

3. When you notice patterns everywhere, ask yourself: "Is this really new, or am I just more aware of it now?"

Remember, our brains developed these shortcuts for a reason – they help us process the overwhelming amount of information we face daily.

The goal isn't to eliminate these biases (we can't), but to dance with them more mindfully.

Stay curious about how your mind works. After all, the first step to making better choices is understanding how we make them in the first place.

The mind is like an iceberg—we're only conscious of what floats above the surface.

What lies beneath... well, that's where things get interesting.

😉