Cognition and Cognitive Biases

Soft Aspects of Information Technology 

Cognition and Cognitive Biases

By

VIKRAM KARVE 
  

The term cognition refers to a faculty for the processing of information. 

It is the process of perceiving, thinking, reasoning, analyzing and remembering.

Information is the value or quality of a message or communication between a sender and a receiver. 

Data is observation of facts.

Information is a collection of data from which conclusions may be drawn and decisions taken and knowledge acquired.

       

Understanding Human Behaviour is sine qua non for the successful design and implementation of Soft Systems (Human Activity Systems), Management Information Systems and, indeed, all Information Processing Systems.

Human behaviour plays an important role in human information processing.

It must be remembered that Information Systems are not installed in a vacuum.

Information Systems are implanted into a living body, an organisation, in Human Activity Systems.

Human beings are being continuously exposed to an enormous number of stimuli. 

Cognition of all the stimuli is not possible and most stimuli are eliminated by a complex cognitive process. 

Even perceptions may be subject to cognitive biases.

A better understanding of human information processing enhances the usefulness of information technology and systems.

A FEW SALIENT COGNITIVE BIASES

Here are a few salient cognitive biases which affect information formulation, acquisition, analysis and interpretation:

Adjustment and Anchoring – In situations of information overload there is a tendency to resort to the anchoring and adjustment heuristic and to rely too heavily, or “anchor” on a past reference or on one trait or piece of information when making decisions. 

For example, you may emphasize too much on the first piece of information you encounter.

Selective Perception – You accept / absorb only that information that is in consonance with, or confirms, your views, beliefs and values.

Wishful Thinking – You interpret information according to what might be pleasing to imagine (as you would like things to be) rather than according to actual evidence or rational logical reality.

Self-fulfilling Prophecy – is the tendency to engage in behaviors that elicit results which will (consciously or not) confirm our beliefs. You seek, acquire and analyze only that information that confirms or lends credibility to your views and values and ignore any information that contradicts your views or values. This is a “Confirmation bias” exemplified by an irrational tendency to search for, interpret or remember information in a way that confirms your preconceptions.

Ease of Recall – Information which can easily be recalled or accessed affects your perception of the likelihood of similar events occurring again. 

You rely too much on information that is easy to recall from memory.

Conservation – You reach premature conclusions on the basis of too small a sample of information.

Order Effects – The order in which information is presented to you affects information retention in your memory. 

Typically, the first piece of information presented (primacy effect) and the last piece of information presented (recency effect) assume undue importance in your mind.

Overconfidence – The greater the amount of data the more confident you are about the accuracy of the data.

Availability – you only rely on and use easily available information and ignore significant information that may not be so easily sourced.

Bandwagon Effect – you develop a tendency to believe information because many other people believe the same information. 

This may be a manifestation of Groupthink and you tend to “jump on the bandwagon”.

Hindsight – you are unable to think objectively if you receive information that a certain outcome has occurred and then told to ignore this information. 

With hindsight, outcomes that have occurred seem to have been inevitable; sometimes this is called the “I-knew-it-all-along” effect, the inclination to see past events as being predictable. 

You see relationships more easily in hindsight than in foresight.

Habit – You choose some information because it was previously accepted for a perceived similar purpose (precedence syndrome) or because of superstition.

Illusion of Control – You develop a tendency for to believe you can control or at least influence outcomes that you clearly cannot and hence you will seek, interpret, process and use information accordingly in an irrational manner.

Gambler’s Fallacy – You falsely assume that an unexpected occurrence of a “run” of some events enhances the probability of occurrence of an event that has not occurred. 

You develop a tendency to think that future probabilities are altered by past events (when in reality it is not so) and process information accordingly.

Déformation Professionnelle – you tend to process information according to the conventions of your own profession, forgetting any broader point of view. 

You fall victim to the Law of the Hammer which states that – “When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail” – this may happen owing to overspecialization or too straitjacketed professional training which hampers a liberal broad perspective. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved) 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

  

This is an extract from an article that I wrote 35 years ago (in 1985) and posted earlier in my blogs a number of times including at url: https://karvediat.blogspot.com/2013/08/cognition-and-cognitive-biases-soft.html

 etc

How to Overcome Communication Mismatch

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION 

ARE YOU IN SYNC WITH THE PERSON YOU ARE COMMUNICATING WITH...?


MENTAL FILTERS AND COMMUNICATION MISMATCH
By
VIKRAM KARVE

THE 6 MESSAGES IN INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Suppose you are talking to someone – say your colleague – or your spouse – or your kid – or your friend – or even a stranger. 

Communication is a “two way process”. 

Assume that there are two of you talking to each other – engaging in interpersonal communication. 

Now – when you speak to someone – you will be watching her – and observing her body language – and similarly – she in turn will be doing the same.

So interpersonal communication will comprise not only verbal speech – but non-verbal cues as well. 

Let us assume that – you say something to the person in front of you – and she says something back to you in reply. 

There will be six messages present in this person-to-person communication process:

1. What you MEAN to say

2. What you ACTUALLY say

3. What the other person HEARS

4. What the other person THINKS is heard

5. What the other person SAYS

6. What you THINK the other person says

Interpretation of Communication (deriving messages from a communication) depends on many factors – ranging from intellectual to emotional to cognitive – all these factors form your MENTAL FILTER.

How you interpret a communication depends on your mental filters at that point of time – which – apart from your intellectual, emotional and cognitive aspects – is also governed by various factors – like your mood, quality and type of relationship with the other person – and – the environment in which the communication is taking place.

And – it is similar for the other person talking to you.

In order to reduce communication mismatch – it is essential that your “mental filter” is in “sync” with the person talking to you – and vice versa. 

Otherwise – there will be ambiguities in the messages exchanged – and this may have undesirable ramifications – and – at times – may even lead to discord and conflict.


AN EXAMPLE OF HOW MENTAL FILTERS DISTORT MESSAGES IN A COMMUNICATION DUE TO SELECTIVE INTERPRETATION 

Let me try to explain this with an illustrative example: 

Imagine that a husband and wife are driving right across Pune – from Wakad to Koregaon Park – one evening – for a party.

Their car crawls at snail’s pace in the heavy traffic on the busy crowded roads of Pune – a city where traffic is the worst nightmare – especially in peak hours like evenings. 

The car is waiting at a red traffic signal.


Suddenly – the traffic signal turns green. 

The wife says to her husband: 

“The signal has become green...!!!”

Now – in his mind’s eye – the husband can interpret this simple communication from his wife in a number of ways.

The way in which he interprets this simple statement made by his wife – depends on his “mental filter” at that point of time. 

The husband’s response to his wife’s simple statement will depend on how he interprets his wife's communication – which in turn will depend on his mental filter (at the point of time). 

Here are a few examples of how the husband will interpret his wife’s simple communication (“The signal has become green...!”) – and how the husband may reply back to his wife: 

1. One husband may think his wife means to say: 

“Can’t you see...? The traffic light has turned green...!!!”

So –he may retort angrily to his wife:  

“Of course I can see that the light has turned green – I am not blind...!!!”

(Remember – the wife merely said: “The signal has become green...!!!”. 

The wife never stated that her husband is blind...)

2. Another husband may think his wife is hurrying him up – and he interpret the meaning of what his wife’s communication as: 

“Come on – you slow-poke – hurry up – we are already late...!!!” 

On interpreting his wife’s communication in this fashion – the husband may snap back at his wife: 

“Don’t unnecessarily hustle me – let me drive properly...!!!”

(Remember – the wife merely said: “The signal has become green...!!!”.

The wife never stated that her husband is a slow-poke and drives too slowly...) 

3. A third “hen-pecked” husband may assume that his wife has started off her nagging again.

So – this husband will say irritably to his wife: 

“Stop your nagging and backseat driving – why don’t you drive the car yourself instead of passing comments...?”

(Remember – the wife merely said: “The signal has become green...!!!”. 

The wife just wanted to draw the attention of her husband to the traffic signal – she had no intention of nagging him...)  

Now – in each of these three cases above – on hearing her husband’s remarks – the wife may either choose to remain silent – or she may “appropriately” respond to the husband’s comments and give him a “befitting reply”. 

If she decides to retort – the husband may reply back. 

And then – the conversation will go on and on. 

The result will be that more “heat” and less “light” is generated – leading to a heated argument – which may escalate into a fight between husband and wife.

What happens if a husband just ignores the wife’s remarks – he remains silent – and he says nothing...?

Well – the wife may interpret her husband’s silence in a number of ways – depending on her mental filter – and she will respond accordingly – and she may say something to her husband again. 

Or – the wife too may remain silent – like her husband. 

This silence of both husband and wife may result in breakdown of verbal communication – though – non-verbal communication may continue.

Remember – SILENCE is a very effective way of conveying non-verbal messages 

Sometimes – silence can be quite powerful too – like they say “a deafening silence”...!!!

Whichever way the wife chooses to give her husband a “befitting reply” – this may provoke the husband further – and the “communication” cycle will continue.


HARMONY OF MENTAL FILTERS FOR EFFECTIVE INTER-PERSONAL COMMUNICATION
HOW TO BE IN SYNC WITH THE PERSON YOU ARE COMMUNICATING WITH

Interpretation of communication – drawing inferences – it all depends on your “mental filters” – doesn’t it...? 

Your mental filters “colour” your cognition – and influence your interpretation of the message in a communication due to various biases or prejudices. 

The sine qua non for Effective Communication is Harmony of Mental Filters. 

And – if there is a “Mismatch in Mental Filters” – the result is “Misinterpretation of Messages” – due to persons interpreting “Implied Meanings” – where there were none.

Like we highlighted in the example of communication between husband and wife – repeated misinterpretation of communication can snowball and spiral into an unhealthy communication cycle – and this can damage inter-personal relationships both at work and at home. 

For example  in a marriage – repeated misinterpretation of mutual communication between husband and wife – due to mismatch in mental filters – may cause disharmony in the relationship – and lead to marital discord – which in turn may snowball into disastrous consequences – and which can – in extremis – even lead to breakdown of the marriage.

So – before you communicate with someone – at work, in society and at home – make sure that your “men–tal filters” are in “sync” with each other (mutually synchronized).

Otherwise – when you talk to someone – you will mean something – but the other person will interpret something else – and this may create serious misunderstandings.

Remember – there are six messages present in a person-to-person communication process. 

So – when you are talking to someone – both of you must make sure that you are in “perfect sync” with each other – so that there is no ambiguity or confusion – and you achieve seamless effective inter-personal communication.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

Disclaimer:

1. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

Abridged and updated of my article on Effective Communication by Vikram Karve posted in my blogs a number of times including at url links: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/09/are-you-in-sync-with-person-you-are.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/04/effective-communication_20.html and http://creative.sulekha.com/communication-and-mental-filters_66733_blog and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/06/miscommunication.html etc

IS DAUGHTER’S MARRIAGE A “FINANCIAL GOAL”

IS DAUGHTER’S MARRIAGE A “FINANCIAL GOAL” ?

Musings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

This morning – in ‘The Times of India’ – I read an article on Financial Planning titled: “FAILING TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL”.

[Reference: The Times of India (Pune Edition) Tuesday, April 7, 2015, Page 11 – Article Titled: “Failing to plan is planning to fail” by Sanjeev Govila, CEO, Hum Fauji Initiatives]

It is a good article which illustrates the advantages of financial planning to meet future goals.

By way of illustrative example – there is a Table with a heading: COMPARATIVE SAVINGS – which lists three FINANCIAL GOALS:

1. CHILD’S HIGHER EDUCATION

2. OWN HOUSE

3. DAUGHTER’S MARRIAGE

The first two examples are fine.

But why is “Daughter’s Marriage” considered as a “Financial Goal”?

What about “Son’s Marriage”?

If “Daughter’s Marriage” is a financial goal – then shouldn’t “Son’s Marriage” also be a financial goal?

The fact that “Daughter’s Marriage” is considered a “Financial Goal” indicates that nothing much has changed in our society as far “patriarchal mindset” is concerned – despite all the tall claims about “gender equality” in our “progressive” culture.

Please notice that the ‘Financial Goal’ at Serial No. 1 in the list: “Child’s Higher Education” is “gender neutral” – it says “Child’s Higher Education” – and not “Son’s Higher Education” or “Daughter’s Higher Education”.

Accordingly – shouldn’t the financial goal at Serial No. 3 of the list be written in a ‘gender neutral’ manner as “Child’s Marriage” instead of “Daughter’s Marriage”?

If there is no discrimination between sons and daughters in education – then why this discrimination in marriage?

Of course – the basic issue is that – in today’s modern world – where children (both sons and daughters) pursue careers and are financially independent – why should parents spend on their children’s marriages at all?

In today’s progressive society – is children’s marriage a financial responsibility of parents?

But despite this – suppose some parents decide to spend lavishly on their children’s marriages – then why should they spend on their daughters’ marriages alone?

Is it not unfair to their sons?

Why not spend equally on their sons’ marriages?

If we want to make our society progressive – is it desirable to endorse retrograde financial goals like “daughter’s marriage”?

However – if you insist on doing so – then will it not be better to specify the ‘Financial Goal’ at Serial No. 3 of the abovementioned list in a ‘gender neutral’ manner as “Child’s Marriage” instead of “Daughter’s Marriage”?

Do you agree?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.