Information Sampling and Adaptive Cognition [Paperback]

This book proposes that environmental information samples are biased and cognitive processes are not.Even the most intelligent and informed judges and decision makers have been shown to be prone to errors and biases with potentially serious consequences. Previous scientific attempts to explain the causes of wrong decisions have mainly focused on shortcomings in the cognitive processing of the information given. The recent research reviewed in the present volume offers an intriguing alternative: it is the input of environmental information samples that are biased in the first place, whereas the cognitive processing of information samples is often unbiased and remarkably accurate.Even the most intelligent and informed judges and decision makers have been shown to be prone to errors and biases with potentially serious consequences. Previous scientific attempts to explain the causes of wrong decisions have mainly focused on shortcomings in the cognitive processing of the information given. The recent research reviewed in the present volume offers an intriguing alternative: it is the input of environmental information samples that are biased in the first place, whereas the cognitive processing of information samples is often unbiased and remarkably accurate.Even the most intelligent and informed judges and decision makers have been shown to be prone to errors and biases with potentially serious consequences. Previous scientific attempts to explain the causes of wrong decisions have mainly focused on shortcomings in the cognitive processing of the information given. The recent research reviewed in the present volume offers an intriguing alternative for consideration. Although the input of environmental information samples may be biased, the cognitive processing of information samples is often unbiased and remarkably accurate.Part I. Introduction: 1. Taking the interface between mind and environment seriously Klaus Fiedler and Peter Juslin; Part II. The Psychological Law olƒ<