Cognitive Biases
We first spoke about this in Episode 281, and now we’re returning for a part 2.
Cognitive Biases are ways our brains can trick us into certain beliefs and behaviours without realising, and in this episode, I’ll cover a few of them such as the IKEA Effect, the Recency Effect, and the Negativity Bias.
They’re fascinating to learn, but will also give you some insight to make you a better language learner.
Cognitive Biases Summary
🔄 Status Quo Bias
Meaning: The preference to keep things as they are, avoiding change even when it's beneficial.
Example: Learners might avoid switching to a new study method (like speaking more instead of just memorizing vocabulary) because they feel comfortable with their current routine.
🕒 Recency Effect
Meaning: The tendency to remember the most recent information more clearly than older information.
Example: A student who makes a mistake at the end of a conversation might feel like their whole performance was bad, even if they spoke well for most of it.
🛠️ The IKEA Effect
Meaning: People place a higher value on things they have put effort into creating, even if the final product isn’t the best.
Example: A learner who has spent a lot of time on ineffective flashcards may be reluctant to switch methods, simply because they put so much work into making them.
⚠️ Negativity Bias
Meaning: The tendency to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones.
Example: A learner might feel like they are bad at English because they remember struggling in conversations more than their successful interactions.
📉 The Dunning-Kruger Effect
Meaning: People with low ability in something tend to overestimate their competence, while experts often underestimate theirs.
Example: A beginner might feel fluent after learning a few phrases, while an advanced learner might feel like they still struggle because they are more aware of nuances.
⭐️ Transcript & Bonus Lesson
Can you think of any examples from your own life where you experienced one of these?
Comment your thoughts below.
Hello Micheal, thank you for making such fantastic episodes every week! I like every episode you have made. Keep up the good work!