A student researching psychology has taken notes:
• Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking • Confirmation bias leads people to seek supporting evidence • Anchoring bias makes first information disproportionately influential • These biases evolved as mental shortcuts • Awareness of biases can help reduce their effects
The student wants to explain why humans have cognitive biases.
Confirmation bias leads people to seek evidence supporting existing beliefs.
Humans have cognitive biases because they evolved as efficient mental shortcuts—though awareness of biases like confirmation bias and anchoring can help reduce their effects.
Anchoring bias makes first-received information disproportionately influential.
Awareness of cognitive biases can help reduce their effects on thinking.
Correct Answer: B
Choice B. Evolved as shortcuts explains why humans have biases.