Cognitive biases distort reality with good and bad results (like really bad).
Today is a fun experiment where we combine Psychology and History. We learn about the 7 perception-based illusions of Cognitive Biases whilst applying them to the life of Napoleon.
We understand how biases can be useful for us and lead us to greatness and how they can also be our downfall.
Cognitive biases covered:
Selective Perception - Why we see things how we want to see them
Exposure Effect - How repetition makes us likes stuff
Baader-Meinhof Effect - Why we notice our car everywhere after we buy it
Placebo Effect - How to make your leg being cut off less awful
Illusion of Control - Why you can't roll dice
Clustering Illusion - How we spot patterns that don't exist
Contrast Effect - Why comparison makes things awful but also wonderful
Further reading:
Napoleon The Great - Andrew Roberts - UK Book - US Book
Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman - UK Book - US Book
Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely - UK Book - US Book
Further Listening
Enjoyed this episode? Check out the rest of the Cognitive Ciases series:
Ego Blindspots: 9 Cognitive Biases to Avoid - [May 7th]
Human Nature vs. Money: Battling Irrationality & Thinking Traps [May 19th]
Confirmation Bias and the 7 Sins of Lazy Thinking - [June 4th]
[YOU ARE HERE] - Reality Distortion
Cognitive Rigidity and How Einstein Overcame the 5 Biases that Keep Us Stuck - [June 19th]
Thinking Fast and Slow: How to Make Better Decisions - [July 12th]
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Chapters:
00:00 Princeton Vs. Dartmouth
01:34 Selective Perception in Politics
02:26 Reality Distortion Fields
04:13 Napoleon's Rise and Fall
05:57 The Exposure Effect
09:06 The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon
11:24 The Placebo Effect
15:53 The Illusion of Control
18:59 Napoleon's Russian Campaign
21:25 The Clustering Illusion
25:29 The Contrast Effect
30:00 Reflections on Cognitive Biases
33:11 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action
Topics:
overcoming selective perception for personal growth
using the mere exposure effect to build positive habits
Baader-Meinhof phenomenon and mindfulness practices
applying the placebo effect to boost self-confidence
illusion of control and decision making strategies
clustering illusion impact on personal finance
contrast effect in daily life and productivity
psychology of mindset and cognitive biases
cognitive biases and personal development
improving decision making through understanding cognitive biases
Napoleon cognitive biases analysis
how Napoleon's decisions were influenced by biases
cognitive biases in historical figures
psychological analysis of Napoleon Bonaparte
cognitive biases experiments and examples
Napoleon Bonaparte decision making
impact of cognitive biases on leadership
psychological insights into Napoleon's strategies
contrast effect in Napoleon's campaigns
illusion of control in historical decisions
mere exposure effect examples in history
Baader-Meinhof phenomenon historical examples
selective perception in Napoleon's battles
clustering illusion and military strategy
placebo effect in leadership confidence
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Reality Distortions: How 7 Illusions of Perception Impact Everyone (Especially Napoleon) - [#4 Cog Biases] | Growth Mindset Psychology: The Science of Self-Improvement podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
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