Bias Fundamentals

Politics

Victim-Blaming in the Fatal Minnesota Shooting

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on January 23, 2026

After an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minnesota, responses have ranged from compassion for the victim to extreme criticism and unsubstantiated attacks. How can we address such victim-blaming?

After an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minnesota, responses have ranged from compassion for the victim to extreme criticism and unsubstantiated attacks. How can we address such victim-blaming?

Self-Help

5 Motivational Sayings That Can Do More Harm Than Good

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on January 2, 2026

4. "Happiness is a choice"? Not always.

4. "Happiness is a choice"? Not always.

Media

Bias and Hypocrisy in the Vance River Story

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on August 14, 2025

For Vice President Vance’s birthday kayaking trip, military engineers raised a river's water level. Critics saw king-like entitlement and hypocrisy. But was there more to the story?

For Vice President Vance’s birthday kayaking trip, military engineers raised a river's water level. Critics saw king-like entitlement and hypocrisy. But was there more to the story?

Artificial Intelligence

What Pro-AI Educators May Overlook About Education

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on June 27, 2025

AI-powered tools can help students learn in unprecedented and incredible ways, but students’ prohibited use of AI might make reliable assessment of that learning an impossibility.

AI-powered tools can help students learn in unprecedented and incredible ways, but students’ prohibited use of AI might make reliable assessment of that learning an impossibility.

Cognitive Dissonance

The Cognitive Dissonance of January 6th Pardons

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on January 23, 2025

When a party’s leader claims to “back the blue” but pardons or frees those who assaulted police, some party members may feel dissonance. How do they reduce that dissonance?

When a party’s leader claims to “back the blue” but pardons or frees those who assaulted police, some party members may feel dissonance. How do they reduce that dissonance?

Media

Casualties of the False Cause Fallacy in 2024

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on January 18, 2025

Why do so many Americans believe that immigration increases crime and that smartphones are to blame for the teen mental health crisis? It may be the false cause fallacy.

Why do so many Americans believe that immigration increases crime and that smartphones are to blame for the teen mental health crisis? It may be the false cause fallacy.

Personality

A Personality Explanation for the Presidential Immunity Ruling

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on July 28, 2024

The major Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity raises many questions. Could conservative justices have acted on autocratic impulses?

The major Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity raises many questions. Could conservative justices have acted on autocratic impulses?

Race and Ethnicity

Is Racial Colorblindness a Good or Bad Thing?

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on June 21, 2024

A new study claims racial colorblindness reflects racism, while another recent study claims colorblindness can be antiracist. Within this debate, which side is more correct?

A new study claims racial colorblindness reflects racism, while another recent study claims colorblindness can be antiracist. Within this debate, which side is more correct?

Bias

Can Reducing Cognitive Bias Reduce Discrimination?

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on May 11, 2024

Discrimination is how we treat groups of people. Bias is how we think about them. Can better understanding cognitive biases make a difference in the fight against discrimination?

Discrimination is how we treat groups of people. Bias is how we think about them. Can better understanding cognitive biases make a difference in the fight against discrimination?

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?

Education

Semantics and Bias in Defending Florida’s Teaching Standards

Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on August 2, 2023

Florida teachers are being directed to tell students that some slaves benefitted from slavery. Amidst a backlash, can Florida officials rationally explain this new standard?

Florida teachers are being directed to tell students that some slaves benefitted from slavery. Amidst a backlash, can Florida officials rationally explain this new standard?

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.