Is it possible to mitigate cognitive biases?

A critical analysis of different proposals for reducing myside bias

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34024/prometeica.2021.23.11419

Keywords:

Racionalidad, Razonamiento, Sesgos cognitivos, Argumentación, Mitigar Sesgos

Abstract

In this paper, we critically evaluate different strategies used to reduce myside bias. This cognitive bias has been characterized as the tendency to produce and evaluate arguments in a way that is influenced by one's own opinions and ideologies. We propose a division into two major sets of strategies: a first set, linked to dual processes theories, which aims to improve reasoning skills individually, and a second set, linked to evolutionary theories of human reasoning, which is based on the exchange of points of views in dialogical contexts of argumentation. We show that these two sets of strategies focus on activating the same cognitive processes, but while the first set tries to do it through direct instructions in solo reasoning, the second set does it through argumentative exchange with peers. Likewise, we argue that the strategies belonging to the second set may be more promising since this way of reasoning with peers could be replicated later in other situations and contexts of argument production and evaluation. Finally, we highlight the importance of continuing to explore strategies aimed at stimulating metacognitive practices.

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Author Biographies

  • Alba Massolo, Universidad Católica de Córdoba/ Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

    - Doctora en Filosofía por la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.

    - Profesora Asistente en la Cátedra de Lógica I de la Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

    - Profesora Adjunta en la Cátedra de Lógica y Epistemología de la Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba.

    - Directora del Proyecto de Investigación: “Lógica y razonamiento humano: un estudio sobre sesgos cognitivos”. Financiado por la Universidad Católica de Córdoba y el Conicet. Período 2019-2021.

    - Co-Directora del Proyecto de Investigación: “Lógica, modelos de razonamiento y argumentación: herramientas formales vinculadas a errores de razonamiento en contextos específicos de aplicación”. Financiado por la Secretaría de Ciencia y Técnica de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Período: 2018-2021.

  • Mariel Traversi, Universidad Católica de Córdoba

    - Licenciada en Psicología por la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.

    - Jefe de Trabajos Prácticos en la Cátedra de Metodología de la Investigación I de la Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba.

    - Adscripta en la Cátedra de Lógica y Epistemología de la Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades de la Universidad Católica de Córdoba.

    - Adscripta en la Cátedra de Estadística de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.

    - Integrante del Proyecto de Investigación: “Lógica y razonamiento humano: un estudio sobre sesgos cognitivos” Financiado por la Universidad Católica de Córdoba y el Conicet. Período 2019-2021.

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Published

2021-08-22

Issue

No. 23 (2021): Prometeica - nº 23 (08/2021 - 01/2022)

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Articles

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How to Cite

Massolo, A., & Traversi, M. . (2021). Is it possible to mitigate cognitive biases? A critical analysis of different proposals for reducing myside bias. Prometeica - Journal of Philosophy and Science, 23, 60-76. https://doi.org/10.34024/prometeica.2021.23.11419
Received 2020-11-19
Accepted 2021-06-01
Published 2021-08-22