Cognitive biases play a big part in how we interact with others, often without us realizing it. These biases are mistakes in our thinking that can change our choices and judgments. They affect how we see others and how we react to social situations.

Let’s look at the fundamental attribution error. This bias makes us think that people’s actions come from their personality instead of their circumstances. For example, if someone cuts us off while driving, we might think they are reckless. But they could be in a hurry to get to the hospital. This way of thinking can lead to arguments because we don’t consider what others might be going through, which can make us less understanding.

Next is the confirmation bias. This happens when we only look for information that backs up what we already believe. We might ignore facts that tell us something different. In social situations, if we meet people from different backgrounds, our biases might make us only notice things that support our old beliefs. This can stop us from being open-minded and connecting with others.

Another important bias is in-group bias. This is when we prefer people who are like us and overlook those who are different. This can lead to excluding others because we might not see their value or contributions. For example, in a workplace, this bias could cause people to form cliques, making it hard for everyone to work well together.

Lastly, we have the halo effect. If we like someone, we might also think they are good at their job, even if there’s no proof of that. This can lead to unfairness at work and can affect the team's overall performance and teamwork.

In summary, cognitive biases are like filters that change how we see social interactions. They can mess with our judgments and make it hard to form real connections. By being aware of these biases, we can improve our understanding and strengthen our relationships.