Cognitive biases are patterns in how we think that can make us see things differently from what they really are. These biases can change how we understand the world around us and how we make decisions.

First, it’s helpful to know that perception—how we see and understand things—is not just about passively taking in information. Rather, it's an active process that involves several steps, like noticing things, registering information, and making sense of it all. At every step, cognitive biases can act like filters that twist our view of reality. When we encounter new information, our brains quickly interpret it based on what we already know, what we expect, and how we feel. This can lead to interpretations that are unique to each person, which means we all see the world in different ways.

One common cognitive bias is called confirmation bias. This means we tend to look for, understand, and believe information that supports our existing thoughts and ideas. For example, two people might read the same article about climate change but understand it in very different ways because they already have different opinions. The person who believes in human-caused climate change might pay attention to facts that back up their view, while a skeptic might focus on any evidence that argues against it. In this way, confirmation bias shapes how each person sees reality and can keep them from seeing other viewpoints.

Another bias is the availability heuristic. This is a mental shortcut where we think about things based on examples that quickly come to mind. If someone hears a lot about plane crashes, they might become really afraid of flying, even though flying is statistically very safe. Their worry is influenced by the strong examples in their memory, making them see a risk that isn’t as big as they think.

There’s also the anchoring bias, which happens when we rely too much on the first piece of information we get. This first piece of information can stick in our mind and affect our choices afterward. For example, if you see a very expensive car first, you might think that a mid-priced car is a great deal just because it’s cheaper than the first car you saw. This shows how our first impression can change how we judge what’s valuable.

The Dunning-Kruger effect is another interesting bias. It happens when people with less skill or knowledge believe they are much better than they really are, while those who are more skilled often doubt their own abilities. For example, a beginner chess player might think they are great at the game, even though they have a lot to learn compared to experienced players. This misunderstanding can distort how they see themselves and others.

Another bias to think about is the framing effect. This is when the way information is presented affects our decisions and opinions. For example, if you hear that a treatment has a “90% success rate” versus a “10% failure rate,” you might feel differently even though both say the same thing. How the information is framed can change how we react to it.

The self-serving bias is also important. This bias leads us to think we are responsible for our successes but blame outside factors for our failures. For example, a student who does well on a test might think it's because they are smart or worked hard, but if they do poorly, they might blame the test being too hard or the teacher being unfair. This can create a skewed view of reality and affect how we feel about ourselves.

Cognitive biases can also change how groups of people think. Groupthink is when group members ignore different opinions and just try to agree with each other. This can lead to bad decisions. A famous example is when people didn’t see the 2008 financial crisis coming because everyone was just going along with each other’s opinions instead of challenging them.

Social and cultural reasons can also mix with cognitive biases. For example, in some cultures, people may view situations in ways that reflect their own societal standards. In individualistic cultures, there might be a focus on personal success, while collectivist cultures might focus more on the well-being of the group. This can affect how people see responsibility and behavior in groups.

Being aware of cognitive biases is a great first step in understanding them. Knowing that everyone can be affected by these biases can help us think more openly and critically. We can try to question our assumptions, seek out different viewpoints, and analyze our decisions more carefully.

There’s also a helpful technique called reframing, which comes from cognitive-behavioral therapy. Reframing encourages us to look at situations in different ways, which can help lessen the effects of biases like confirmation and anchoring. By checking out different perspectives, we can gain a better understanding of reality that includes varied information.

In summary, cognitive biases greatly affect how we see reality. By understanding biases like confirmation bias, availability heuristic, anchoring, Dunning-Kruger effect, framing, self-serving bias, and groupthink, we can learn how our thinking shapes our decisions and views. It’s important to realize that reality is often more complicated than it seems. Recognizing these biases can improve our self-awareness and promote better interactions with others. With an informed approach, we can better navigate our perceptions, leading to a clearer understanding of reality.