How do thinking traps hinder learning?

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Let's learn to recognize them and benefit from them
Cognitive distortions or “thinking traps” are common errors in the perception, interpretation and evaluation of information, which are largely due to the structure of our brain. Most tasks are performed automatically, according to templates that allow us to save time and energy. Since learning is a process of assimilating new information and new skills, it is important to understand how cognitive distortions interfere with our learning and try not to fall into the trap.

Our brain tends to attach too much importance to the first argentina phone number lead piece of information received, so much so that further thoughts and decisions on the topic are based on this “anchor”. Each of us knows that the first impression of a person is a long-term determining factor in our relationship with him. But there are many less obvious examples that have been discovered in experiments and confirmed in practice. Let’s consider several of the most common cognitive distortions that can prevent us from learning something new.

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, recall, or interpret information in a way that confirms previously held concepts.

The impact of this cognitive bias on the selection of arguments in a discussion or the formation of “information bubbles” is described in some detail in the specialized literature. Confirmation bias leads to the formation of a one-sided view of the problem. But what if we are taking a training course or a professional development program? Here, confirmation bias also “works”: of all the information we receive during training, we will hear and understand best the one that corresponds to our initial understanding of the issue. New or alternative approaches will be rejected by our brain, even causing hostility towards the teacher, because he offers us a view that does not coincide with ours, and, therefore, is “wrong”.

Status quo bias is the tendency to want things to stay the same, without changing. People with this cognitive bias don’t just deny the truth of another point of view; they avoid change altogether. They exaggerate the pain of change and downplay the benefits of the alternative. Why upgrade software if the old one works just fine?