Tag: Heuristics

  • It Tells You Everything You Need to Know

    It Tells You Everything You Need to Know

    No, it doesn’t.

  • Availability Cascade

    Availability Cascade

    In an Availability Cascade, beliefs become widely accepted through frequent public repetition. This phenomenon, crucial in shaping public discourse, is driven by psychological factors and media influence, extending its reach beyond cultural limits.

  • Oversimplification

    Oversimplification

    Oversimplification reduces intricate ideas to basic summaries, potentially obscuring important details and fostering generalizations that might mislead, often affecting both the individual understanding and broader public discourse.

  • As-If

    As-If

    Originating from the works of philosopher Hans Vaihinger, the “As-If” approach facilitates the analysis of complex systems using hypothetical scenarios. This methodology, while not always reflecting true conditions, aids in rendering intricate concepts more comprehensible.

  • Cui Bono

    Cui Bono

    Derived from Roman legal traditions, “Cui Bono” translates as “To whom is it a benefit?”. Historically used to discern motives by pinpointing beneficiaries, it’s now a widely-used tool for navigating complex societal and economic dynamics.

  • Gall’s Law

    Gall’s Law

    Gall’s Law posits that effective complex systems evolve from simpler, functional predecessors. Widely applied in fields like engineering and organizational design, the principle advocates for an iterative development process that starts with basic, operational systems.

  • WYSIATI – What You See Is All There Is

    WYSIATI – What You See Is All There Is

    The principle of WYSIATI highlights humanity’s propensity to draw conclusions from visible data while neglecting what might be omitted. Originally identified by Daniel Kahneman, this cognitive bias has significant ramifications across various fields, from politics to finance.

  • Cognitive Bias

    Cognitive Bias

    Cognitive biases, prevalent yet often unnoticed, shape decision-making processes. These systematic thinking errors—confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and more—affect individual choices, societal views, and interpersonal relationships. Strategies for minimizing their influence are part of a complex cognitive landscape.