Cognitive biases

Definition

Patterned departures from a normative decision model, often arising from useful heuristics.

Prefer “this prediction may be using a shortcut” over “I am irrational.” Then ask what evidence is missing. Prospect theory is a landmark for loss-weighted choice, not a complete theory of your life.

In simple terms

Your mind uses rules of thumb because the world is too big. Some thumbs leave bruises in modern evaluation cultures.

Scientific explanation

Kahneman and Tversky documented reference points, loss aversion, and nonlinear probability weighting in experiments. Later popular lists of dozens of biases vary in quality; we stay with well-established patterns.

What research shows

Laboratory choice systematically departs from expected-utility predictions in patterned ways.

What the research does not prove

That you are “dumb,” or that a bias name is a diagnosis.

What remains uncertain

How well each named bias travels from lab to a particular relationship argument.

Practical implications

Ask what would count as disconfirming evidence. For reversible choices, run a small test instead of collecting more anxiety.

Educational only — not a diagnosis, not a treatment plan, not a crisis service.

Related mechanisms

• heuristics
• loss aversion
• confirmation