2021-11-16How to overcome bias in decisions/thinking?

Chapter 9 Overcoming Bias

In the last chapter, we have already known that frames will endow bias to our thinking and decision making. The next question is about how to avoid the negative effects (Note that bias can also generate positive effects, such as growing up in a family be fond of reading) of those bias. The key is  "systematically considering alternatives."

Similarly, a 4-step procedures are reconmended by Ness, just as those used to jump outside of frames (2021-11-06Innovation generation: framing your thinking first, and then re-frame it consciously - (jianshu.com)): 1. be aware of the bias, notice the decision/thinking, outline the related information; 2. dig out the hidden frame; 3. propose alternative frames; 4. consider the consequences of the alternative frames.

Let's take an example about how to evaluate the novelty of a scientific study (Neural correlates, computation and behavioural impact of decision confidence, 2008).

1. Decision---it is not a good study, because no causal experiments were performed;

2. Frame---the cause and effect relations are required to bind a function with a brain area;

3. Alternative frame--good study is the ones who boost understanding or provide novel conceptual framework;

4. New decision---this study developed a new framework, that is "confidence", to account for the functions of orbitofrontal cortex. The novelty exists, so it's a good study.

I think two points play pivotal roles in overcoming bias: first, you must be consciously aware of the bias; second, you should be capable in digging out the hidden frame at work and then propose alternative frames by using "lateral thinking (by Edward de Bono)" (if...then...).