Cognitive Biases

Definition

Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, which can lead to illogical conclusions and poor decision-making. These biases affect how characters perceive their reality, influencing their actions and interactions based on flawed reasoning. Understanding cognitive biases is crucial for developing believable character backstories, as they shape the motivations, fears, and beliefs that drive character behavior throughout a narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cognitive biases can be deeply rooted in a character's upbringing and experiences, influencing their worldview and behavior in the story.
2. Different characters may exhibit various cognitive biases based on their personalities and past experiences, adding depth to their psychological profiles.
3. Recognizing a character's cognitive biases can help writers create internal conflicts and drive plot developments, as characters struggle against their flawed reasoning.
4. Cognitive biases can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications between characters, creating tension and conflict that enrich the narrative.
5. Incorporating cognitive biases into character backstories allows for more authentic character arcs, as they evolve through experiences that challenge their preconceptions.

Review Questions

• How do cognitive biases influence character development and relationships within a story?
  • Cognitive biases shape how characters perceive themselves and others, influencing their motivations and interactions. For example, a character with confirmation bias may only seek out information that supports their beliefs, leading them to misunderstand other characters’ intentions. This misinterpretation can create tension in relationships and serve as a catalyst for conflict or growth as characters confront their biases.
• Analyze the impact of cognitive biases on a character's decision-making process throughout a narrative.
  • Cognitive biases significantly affect a character's decision-making by skewing their judgment and perception of situations. For instance, if a character experiences the anchoring effect, they may fixate on an initial piece of information when evaluating a later situation, which could lead them to make poor choices based on incomplete data. This misjudgment can drive the plot forward by creating consequences that challenge the character to confront their flaws.
• Evaluate how understanding cognitive biases can enhance the complexity of a character's backstory and overall narrative structure.
  • Understanding cognitive biases allows writers to craft intricate backstories that reveal how past experiences shape a character's thoughts and actions. By weaving these biases into the narrative structure, writers can create layered characters who evolve through challenges that force them to confront their flawed reasoning. This evaluation of cognitive biases not only enriches character development but also enhances thematic depth by illustrating universal human struggles with perception and reality.

Related terms

Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs or values.

Anchoring Effect: The cognitive bias where an individual relies too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions.

Availability Heuristic: A mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to mind when evaluating a specific topic or decision, often leading to overestimation of their importance.