Case file
Bias Blind Spot
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The charge
We can see cognitive biases in other people more easily than in ourselves. Our own judgments feel fair and objective from the inside.
How it operates
We have access to our intentions, which usually seem reasonable, but we judge others from the outside based on outcomes and behavior. Because biases are often unconscious, introspection misses them.
Logged incidents
- Incident 01
A leadership team labels another function political while seeing its own turf protection as rational.
- Incident 02
A hiring manager warns others about favoritism but trusts their own gut as neutral.
- Incident 03
Negotiators accuse the other side of bias while calling their own stance principled.
What to watch for
Ask yourself: 'Would I call this biased if another person made the same argument the same way?'
Recommended action
Use a bias checklist on your own decision first, keep a decision journal, and invite an outsider review before committing. Self-audits work better than relying on introspection.
Known associates
- Naive CynicismWe assume people who disagree with us are driven by selfish motives, hidden agendas, or bias more than they…
- Naive RealismWe experience our own view as a direct reading of reality, not as an interpretation.
- Availability HeuristicWe judge how likely or common something is by how easily examples come to mind, not by actual frequency.
- Attentional BiasWe selectively notice certain kinds of information while overlooking the rest, especially information tied to…
- Illusory Truth EffectRepeated statements start to feel true simply because they feel familiar.
- Mere-Exposure EffectWe tend to like things more after repeated exposure, even when the repetition provides no new value.
Source of record