Cognitive Bias

Cognitive Bias in Relationship

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A cognitive bias can be thought of as a mental filter. It causes us to have a subjective experience of the objective aspects of our lives. In other words, cognitive biases are simply deficiencies in our capacity for logical reasoning that lead us to take an inaccurate view of the world. When we give cognitive biases control, it has an impact on how we interpret the actions of those around us and how we believe others interpret our actions. This causes a lot of misunderstandings based on incorrect information (although they often feel true to us in the moment). Seek Online Therapy from the best therapist at TalktoAngel for cognitive bias in relationship.

Consensus Bias

The tendency to read actions and behaviours in a way that supports our own assumptions and conclusions is known as confirmation bias. This may appear in a variety of circumstances, but here is one: Let’s imagine you start to get feelings for a buddy who is quite cordial with you. Because you want to believe that they feel the same way, you misinterpret their platonic actions as romantic ones. On the one hand, all of this is a standard human love dance. On the other hand, it’s simple to understand how this could go wrong and sever what is otherwise a wonderful connection.

Bias in hostile attribution

The tendency to attribute malicious intent to other people’s conduct when their behaviour is neutral or benign is known as hostile attribution bias. If you constantly assume the worst about other people’s actions, comments, and hidden agendas, you may be suffering from hostile attribution bias. This is pretty disgusting, so you need to control it. Particularly when they’re just being themselves with you or doing something kind for you, people dislike it when others suspect them of having bad motives. And if you accuse them of having malicious purpose all the time, they’ll quickly become tired of it.

Empathy gap

Empathy gap is the inability to comprehend an emotional state that is different from your present one and the propensity to read the acts and behaviours of those around you through the prism of your current emotional state. In other words, your current emotional state has a significant impact on your behaviour, thinking, and decision-making at any given time.

Negativity bias

The propensity to recall bad events more vividly and frequently than positive ones is known as negativity bias. Since it’s a terrific way to learn from errors and prevent unpleasant situations in the future, this isn’t always bad. The distinction between “remembering terrible occurrences” and “clinging onto negative events” is, however, a fine one. When negativity bias goes unchecked, it becomes emotional baggage that you carry around and affects most of your interactions negatively.

Status quo bias: Status quo bias is the propensity to prefer the status quo; any departure from the norm is perceived as undesirable. In other words, those who hold this inclination despise change and would stop at nothing to maintain as much predictability and familiarity in their daily lives. When taken too far, status quo bias might make you incapable of moving outside your comfort zone. Maybe you don’t want to explore new things with your pals, like new meals or new activities. Maybe all you want to do is hang out at home. Perhaps you choose partners or companions who have a negative influence on you but you stick with them because they are comfortable and all you know.

Reactance: Reacting is the propensity to act or think in a manner that is contrary to that which you have been advised to do so, even when doing so is in your best interests. In the most extreme situations, you might have done or thought that precise thing on your own, but as soon as it was expressed by someone else, you felt obligated to alter your course (perhaps out of spite). You can understand how this can affect interpersonal connections, particularly with people who care about you and want what’s best for you. Each time they offer advice, you either disregard it or act in the opposite way, thus straining the relationship. You will eventually lose those relationships if you put your own independence ahead of the need to compromise in your relationships. Additionally, reactance can leave you open to manipulation. The concept of “reverse psychology” is then put into use in this situation. It’s shockingly simple for nefarious people in your life to dominate you if you consistently act in opposition to what you’re told.

Over optimism

Over optimism is a cognitive bias that leads us to perceive events more favourably than they actually are. Even though we frequently believe that a “glass half full” attitude is the secret to happiness, that isn’t always the case. Instead, it places us in a defenceless, vulnerable state. At the very least, being overly optimistic about other people might leave you saddened when you ultimately learn about their flaws. This may lead to resentment or even mistrust in intimate relationships. You might assume your partner was lying to you by hiding their defects from you, but in reality, it was your own cognitive bias that prevented you from seeing them. In more extreme situations, optimism too much can make you open to friends or family who might take advantage of you.

Stereotyping

The majority of us are aware that stereotypes are assumptions we make about someone based on a particular attribute. Sadly, stereotyping is a cognitive flaw that frequently leads us to assume things about people rather than simply questioning them. Friends or love partners may believe that we don’t truly view them as individuals when we generalise them. They might feel rejected and unloved, or they might lose their temper. When you do this and are unaware that you are stereotyping the other person, a relationship may end.

You must first become conscious of your cognitive biases and learn to recognise them when you are using them. This will enable you to recognise the circumstances that trigger a cognitive bias so that you may watch for warning indications beforehand. Take a moment to pause if you are in a circumstance when you are aware that your cognitive biases are influencing your judgement or how you interact with others. Ask inquiries and become inquisitive. By doing this, you may frequently debunk the bias’s underlying assumptions and take action. Additionally, try to look at every scenario from many angles. You can accomplish this by soliciting feedback from others or putting yourself in another person’s position. When you do this, you’ll probably notice areas where a prejudice distorted your judgement.

Feel free to seek Relationship Counselling at TalktoAngel for more information.

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