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Bias Fundamentals

Tools to keep our biases in check

Cognition
5 Potential Biases Your Therapist May Have

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on March 29, 2024

Some cognitive therapists may show some of the same cognitive distortions they’re trying to address in their clients. Does a "do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do" approach work?

Some cognitive therapists may show some of the same cognitive distortions they’re trying to address in their clients. Does a "do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do" approach work?

Bias
Can Statistics Ever Be Biased?

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on November 14, 2023

Science and scientists are not perfect. Results can sometimes be misstated, miscalculated, or misused. But can the statistics themselves ever actually lie?

Science and scientists are not perfect. Results can sometimes be misstated, miscalculated, or misused. But can the statistics themselves ever actually lie?

Unconscious
Do White People See Their Own Race as the Most Human?

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on May 30, 2023

A new study using the Implicit Association Test (IAT) claims White people see Black people as less human, but critics of the IAT provide reasons to doubt that conclusion.

A new study using the Implicit Association Test (IAT) claims White people see Black people as less human, but critics of the IAT provide reasons to doubt that conclusion.

SSRIs
The Misperception of Antidepressants and Mass Shootings

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on May 14, 2023

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson cited SSRIs as a potential cause of mass shootings. Is there any research support, or have they succumbed to an illusory correlation?

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson cited SSRIs as a potential cause of mass shootings. Is there any research support, or have they succumbed to an illusory correlation?

Bias
A 'Fake It Till You Make It' Approach to Compassion

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on April 30, 2023

Gwyneth Paltrow said “I wish you well” to the man suing her for millions. Did she mean it? Is there a lesson here for how to show compassion to our enemies?

Gwyneth Paltrow said “I wish you well” to the man suing her for millions. Did she mean it? Is there a lesson here for how to show compassion to our enemies?

Bias
Study Identifies Positive Racial Experiences Through Uplifts

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on December 30, 2022

A new study in positive psychology furthers the concept of a “racial uplift.” The authors may not fully recognize limitations but show a strong link between uplifts and well-being.

A new study in positive psychology furthers the concept of a “racial uplift.” The authors may not fully recognize limitations but show a strong link between uplifts and well-being.

Politics
Victim-Blaming in the Pelosi Attack

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on November 8, 2022

Victims of tragedy who deserve compassion are often blamed. When the House Speaker’s husband is a victim of political violence, blame can expand into wild conspiracy theories.

Victims of tragedy who deserve compassion are often blamed. When the House Speaker’s husband is a victim of political violence, blame can expand into wild conspiracy theories.

Attention
Our Occasional Inability to Notice What’s in Front of Us

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on August 4, 2022

The “invisible gorilla” effect is back in the news, and newer research has found similar oversights among drivers and radiologists. But these errors don’t seem to be the norm.

The “invisible gorilla” effect is back in the news, and newer research has found similar oversights among drivers and radiologists. But these errors don’t seem to be the norm.

Bias
Confirmation Bias During the January 6 Hearings

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on June 11, 2022

Many Republicans are choosing not to tune in to the January 6 hearings. But when an entire cable channel refuses even to air them, it may represent a new level of confirmation bias.

Many Republicans are choosing not to tune in to the January 6 hearings. But when an entire cable channel refuses even to air them, it may represent a new level of confirmation bias.

President Donald Trump
Can Fox News Viewers Change After Watching CNN?

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on April 19, 2022

A large-scale study says Fox News viewers’ views can change if exposed to CNN. It’s important news in a polarized society, but underreported caveats may undermine that conclusion.

A large-scale study says Fox News viewers’ views can change if exposed to CNN. It’s important news in a polarized society, but underreported caveats may undermine that conclusion.

Cognition
How Either-Or Thinking Can Sustain a Pandemic

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on January 26, 2022

Do masking rules take away our freedom? Is there really no point to a life-saving vaccine? Those who agree may be viewing the world through an either-or lens.

Do masking rules take away our freedom? Is there really no point to a life-saving vaccine? Those who agree may be viewing the world through an either-or lens.

Health
10 Reasons We Keep Going to Parties During a Pandemic

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on December 21, 2021

Despite the warnings, many keep attending large gatherings without masks. Social forces and biases may be in play. With Omicron and the holidays approaching, what can be done?

Despite the warnings, many keep attending large gatherings without masks. Social forces and biases may be in play. With Omicron and the holidays approaching, what can be done?

Testosterone
False Cause Fallacy Reaches the Olympics

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on September 21, 2021

Testosterone, Zoom, Facebook, helicopter parenting, immigration, and one’s race don’t necessarily cause the outcomes you read about—because correlation does not mean causation.

Testosterone, Zoom, Facebook, helicopter parenting, immigration, and one’s race don’t necessarily cause the outcomes you read about—because correlation does not mean causation.

Psychology
The Complexity of Psychology’s Surprising Findings

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on June 20, 2021

Brief lists of surprising research results are useful but often short on important details. I provide clarifications to a recent list regarding evil, bias, and reading emotions.

Brief lists of surprising research results are useful but often short on important details. I provide clarifications to a recent list regarding evil, bias, and reading emotions.

Bias
Tools to Keep Our Biases and Conspiracy Beliefs in Check

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on April 22, 2021

Discomfort with uncertainty in dark times can increase biases and conspiracy beliefs. But what if we found a way to be more comfortable with uncertainty? New research may help.

Discomfort with uncertainty in dark times can increase biases and conspiracy beliefs. But what if we found a way to be more comfortable with uncertainty? New research may help.

Conformity
Maskers Versus Anti-Maskers: Who Are the Bigger Sheep?

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on January 11, 2021

Although many anti-maskers accuse mask wearers of being sheep, the label may fit both sides. Does it fit either side more? And how can this discussion help us fight the pandemic?

Although many anti-maskers accuse mask wearers of being sheep, the label may fit both sides. Does it fit either side more? And how can this discussion help us fight the pandemic?

Cognitive Dissonance
Dissonance and Political Hypocrisy

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on October 12, 2020

From the Supreme Court nomination to Covid-19 claims, high-profile political hypocrisy seems to be spiking. How can cognitive dissonance theory help us to understand it?

From the Supreme Court nomination to Covid-19 claims, high-profile political hypocrisy seems to be spiking. How can cognitive dissonance theory help us to understand it?

Parenting
A Response to Latest Criticism of Helicopter Parenting

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on July 14, 2020

Helicopter parenting carries risks, but the correlational research is limited. Also, there’s a difference between learning from mistakes and mistakes being the only way to learn.

Helicopter parenting carries risks, but the correlational research is limited. Also, there’s a difference between learning from mistakes and mistakes being the only way to learn.

Bias
What Can We Really Tell From White Silence?

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on June 16, 2020

Racism is a crisis made worse by white silence and biases against peaceful protesters. But there are biases against silence too, and addressing them might help reduce racism.

Racism is a crisis made worse by white silence and biases against peaceful protesters. But there are biases against silence too, and addressing them might help reduce racism.