Behind the Mind: The Science of Bias

Episode 30: How to Predict Things More Accurately With the Hindsight Bias

Why do people say they knew the winner of the election would win from the beginning? Why do sports commentators say they knew the winning team would win all along? Why do we say “hindsight is 20/20”? 
 
In less than 4 minutes, learn how to be a better forecaster.

Episode 29: How to Think Independently With the Default Effect

Why do we agree to email subscriptions? What are the benefits of a public social media account? Are you an organ donor?
 
In less than four minutes, you can discover how easily you can be influenced.

Episode 28: How to Argue Better With the Belief Bias

Why is it hard to objectively judge an argument for something we disagree with? Is it harder for arguments we do believe in? And do we focus more on the thought process or the outcome?
 
In less than four minutes, discover a better way to get your point through to others.

Episode 27: How to Win Every Board Game With the Gambler's Fallacy

Imagine you’re playing a board game with your friends that involves rolling a die. So far, your friend has rolled the die a dozen times and it has not yielded a six yet. They claim, “One sixth of die rolls are a six, so I’m definitely due to roll a six or two soon!” Are they right?
 
In less than four minutes, discover one of the biggest mistakes we make on probability.

Episode 26: How To Understand Others With the Trait Ascription Bias

Why did every high school class seem to have an assigned class clown? Why might someone be described as “always happy” even when that’s near impossible? What do archetypes in literature reveal about how we perceive others?
 
In less than four minutes, learn how to grasp how complex people are.

Episode 25: How to Save Money and Time With the Sunk Cost Fallacy

Why do some people stay in relationships simply because of how long they’ve been together? Why might someone keep pursuing a major they are no longer interested in? What is a bias that can make us prone to scams?
 
In less than four minutes, discover how to become more efficient.

Episode 24: How To Open Your Mind With the Backfire Effect

Why are anti-vaxxers so adamant in their position? Why might some parents strengthen their parenting style when offered evidence for other kinds? Why do people leave some arguments with a stronger opinion than before?
 
In less than four minutes, learn how to accept truths with open arms.

Episode 23: How To Make Bigger Impacts With the Zero-risk Bias

Why might someone avoid flying due to fear of plane crashes, rather than drive less, even if driving is more dangerous? Or why might someone eliminate tap water from their diet because of contaminants, rather than reduce fast food consumption, which poses more health risks? Lastly, why can changes in political legislation feel slow?
 
In less than four minutes, discover an avoidable mistake with percentages.

Episode 22: False Uniqueness Bias

Can every college applicant truly stand out? Why do so many people think they listen to underground artists? Are we all really special in our own way?

Episode 21: Action Bias

Why do some goalkeepers miss the penalty? When might either buying or selling be the wrong option in the stock market? What is one major mistake made in crisis management?