How Scientists Can Avoid Cognitive Bias
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2024
- Cognitive biases have received some attention in recent years, thanks to books like “Thinking Fast and Slow,” “You Are Not So Smart, or “Blind Spot.” Unfortunately, this knowledge has not been put into action in scientific research. Scientists do correct for biases in statistical analysis of data and they do correct for biases in their measurement devices, but they still do not correct for biases in the most important apparatus that they use: Their own brain.
In this video, I tell you what cognitive biases are, what problems they cause in science, and what scientists can do against it.
I have further suggestions for how you can help in the appendix of my book, which you can read here:
backreaction.blogspot.com/2019...
Support me on Patreon: / sabine 
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This is super important information to remember for scientists and non scientists.
Everything you mention here can be applied to our daily lives.
That will ruin your daily live as you know it.
Excellent video! I wonder if this important information is able to seep through people's egos, and basic fears? Hmmm..
I see strong examples of cognitive biases in a scientific interest of mine. Namely, archaeology / anthropology of 10,000 to 12,000 years B.P. Despite growing evidence that some sort of large meteor or comet hit the Earth causing the Younger Dryas cooling, the 'old guard' of academia refuses to address the evidence in a serious way. They dismiss it as crack-pot science, rather than trying to find reconciliation between their theories and the newer evidence arriving on the scene. But dig sites like Gobekli Tepe (re-discovered by an excellent German archaeologist), Big Eddy site in Missouri, are pushing back dates for civilization or organized living. Geologists are finding platinum layers corresponding to the impact date. And even as a interested observer, I can see the biases kicking in with each new article that comes out.
Agree.
Scientists and their cognitive bias: Modern science's current narrative is that everything in existence, including the very forces of nature that this universe exists and functions by, all came from an expanding singularity. But now, does everything in existence even exist per se, OR does ONLY the singularity exist in the form of all things? Cognitive bias?
I wonder how many people watching this are saying to themselves: "yeah, those 'other' guys should change their viewpoint because mine is correct." When instead they should be saying: "Let me start with a clean slate on topic X, and look at the evidence and data with new eyes."
This!
Steelman your opponents arguments, rather than strawman them. This is how to really understand the topic well.
4:02 - referring to string theory, perhaps? :)
Our hands are made to handle sticks, but they can play the piano with enough training.
Our brain is not a 'truth-finder' per se. The brain, like the hand, is a tool for survival. If believing something that is true increases the chances of survival, then the brain will believe the truth. If believing something that is false increases those chances, then it will believe the lie.
In order to use your brain as a 'truth-finder', you need to train it.
@@juanausensi499 Nice! Sounds like a Rehabilitation Specialist has entered the chat.
For reference:
0:45 Definition of Cognitive Bias
2:25 Ex: Attentional Bias
4:40 Ex: Loss Aversion Bias
4:15 Ex: Social Reinforcement Bias
4:55 Ex: Shared Information Bias
Should be pinned!
4:15 Circle jerk
Truth starts with accepting that it may not be politically or even personally accommodating.
Yeah but turn her upside down and she's got a lambda around her neck
Someone has no visual biases.
I'm still functional though
@@djdtahoe Somewhat, at least. People usually don't like it when turned upside down.
Yeah 🕶 Give this man a middle 👏
OMG! She is a closet lisp coder! Yes!!!
The most important topic facing humanity today.
is called stupidity.
@Varun Rao You could be correct. or...
@@ofdrumsandchords Or more succinctly, right wingers/conservatives. But then again, they are stupid and/or greedy anyway, sooo...
forget scientists, this needs to be taught in SCHOOLS!!!!
It is you ignoramus.
@ the political landscape demonstrates otherwise
Yeah, let state paid instructors indoctrinate the children how they should think. Giving more power to the enforcers of conformism will save science and humanity!!!
@@saitren565 what are you talking about? Children should be taught to question everything. Thats the most effective way to aquire reliable knowledge. If you want closed minded indoctrination then you need religion not science
@@eatthisvr6 I am talking about the chances of children learning such a message in school. In most western countries schools are controlled by the state. States have no incentive whatsoever to create a critical public. The actions of a state reflect the interests and preferences of the elites who control that state. Explain why they would want to push for a critical public? My proposal is much simpler: parents should tell their children that scientists are not semi-gods and that they are subject to all the pettiness that everybody is capable of. No need for schools to be involved in this. Schools are themselves training camps for the amplification of cognitive biases.
Watching you think is my favorite thing to do on the Internet.. Thank you, Sabine.
Right on! I am sending to my daughter who is applying to grad school.
@rrobertt13 can you elaborate?
@rrobertt13 will you?
@@Twelfth512 Doubtful.
In other words, it was a stupid thing to say by a guy with poor social skills..
Sabine is a warrior of clarity and honesty.
So important!
What a rigorous and intelligent breakdown.
Your voice of reason is refreshing and I hope you'll be heard more.
Thank you Sabine for taking your wisdom to the masses. You are always engaging.
What's that old bromide in academia? "Science advances one funeral at a time."
Michael Rexrode Yes the old can be heavily opposed to change; but the young need to be aware of bias too.
@@DIGtotheIT @Michael Rexrode
Please look up "Is Planck's 'Principle' True?"
John T. Blackmore, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science you need only read the abstract.
If we ever discover immortality, it will be the end of human progress.
@@xjohnny1000 or the start of a flurry of politically motivated murders...
This is, by far, the most interesting of your videos I have watched. This topic applies to almost all aspects of life.
Thank you, Sabine.
Thank you so much, I always struggled explaining what a cognitive bias is and how it works, after watching your video I feel empowered to explain this to my family and friends!
Love your videos, you're contributing more than it may seem. Videos like these shaped my life and career decisions.
Keep up the amazing work!
Thank you Sabine. Another excellent video, and if I may say an excellent delivery.
Wow! i've been watching your video's for about 3 months.. The depth of your videos is so thick that i usually only watch one a week and try to digest what it is your presenting .. even watching the same video many times .. how ironic and so important that you tackle this problem
Cristal clear, brilliant delivery on the topic that is relevant to both contemporary science and beyond - to political/economic systems. Gratitude, Sabine!
Great video, and yes, VERY important - in regular, everyday life, too!
Thank you Sabine, your videos are all very interesting, but this one in particular to me, because as a recently graduated PhD student, I have already been always discouraged to change topic (although I partially managed to do it) or to follow some new ideas because they were "exotic" or "too strange"... I feel this is a real problem in today's scientific research!
Outstanding. Sabine is the best thing to happen to science in decades.
I've known this for quite a while now. There was once a great scientist, I can't remember his name right now, but he taught me to be sceptical about everything. In fact he taught me the word "Skeptical".
Need reminding this quite regularly and widely.
Wonderful Sabine!
I see so many examples of what you describe in society today. Of special note is when the media encourages group-think using attentional bias as a tool.
Thank you Sabine, for creating this gem.
Very thoughtful (and timely) segment... thank you!
I just love this channel. Good, unbiased information is hard to come by. Thank you so much!
Are you quite sure it is unbiased. If so, start to worry.
@@kensmith5694 deep... i mean, you are right, we are all biased. But at least this channel is aware of that.
Very enlightening video Sabine! Excellent work.
I am not from the science community, but I can relate this video with almost every hot topic trending around me. Especially, about group thinking, I was aware that it is the main source of comfort amongst common people, and now I know that it can hurt our scientific progress as well. Thanks for the video!
Most excellent. It's such a pleasure to listen to this lady speak.
Thanks! This is a great post. Talking about cognitive bias in science without giving fodder to the widespread anti-science sentiments is a delicate balance. You navigated this very well.
That was an amazing video, Thanks Sabine.
I'm likely to watch this video many times. I will also follow the link you included above to your blog. So thank you for helping me to help myself on this topic. Finally, congratulations on crossing the 50K subscriber count before the end of the year!
I've been about to say that for a week and you beat me to it! Grrrrr...😥
CONGRATS, DR. HOSSENFELDER!!!
Spectacular video Sabine 👏👏👏
I think it's important to apply a humility to one's work - as pride can often block an ability to accept a bias has occurred.
A very important point that should be kept in mind by all of us especially in an argument or debate.
I've had a personal interest in cognitive biases for a while. More like a hobby that arose from leading engineering and quality assurance groups.
I'd like to refer people to the Wikipedia listing "List of cognitive biases". It's amazing how many different kinds there are.
Thank you! A very important topic for scientists but also everyone!! This should be talked and discussed early in life!
Very Very Good 👍 Information Sabine!
Thank you. Detected a note of personal sadness in there. Huge respect to your work.
Excellent topic. Keep fighting the good fight Sabine.
The most useful science related video I watched on youtube in 2019. Unfortunately, youtube allows clicking thumbs up only once per video.
Well stated, Sabine !
Excellent explanation 👍
I really appreciate this persons work.
keep enlightening, Sabine.
thanks.
Good points to remember. Thanks Sabine.
Very thought provoking!
Well articulated. Thanks for sharing this!
#Sabine, this subject matter is one of your best. I complete agree with you. Thank you for your work on this video.
It's uncanny how closely these biases describe the interaction and dynamic of activists inside the twitter bubble/echo chamber.
This principle can be applied universally. Nothing is immune or exempt.
@@mike4ty4 His socially reinforced/shared information bias is showing.
Everybody is subject to cognitive bias.
Humility and honesty is necessary in order to find the truth, scientific or otherwise.
Great info. Btw, almost 50k subscriptions. Well deserved.
Such a gem this channel is
Important! Well done!
It is a encouragement, to me to see that you are a encouraging person thanks for the video appreciate it.
Excellent analysis!
@@mello.b3373 You really ought to stop looking in the mirror when you write......you're projecting your cognitive biases on others, sweetie.
Brilliant as always and a problem that goes way beyond science.
This is weird, I've read 2 out of 3 of the books in the beginning of the video, I quite often think about cognitive biases but it all goes out of the window when you get me on to politics. That's not the only subject i get caught up in cognitive biases but it stands out for me.
I'm not one to comment on videos but this is good. The only problem is that I can listen to this kinds stuff all day but when i get out into the real world I fall back on confirmation bias, group think, strawman fallacy, etc.
Thanks Sabine, you make me think and not trust my intuition. Keep making the challenging videos, your fantastic.
Sean Carroll talked about you on his last podcast, you are getting more and more famous! thats shows your firm positions and courage will prevail after all! Keep the good work fraulein Sabine!
This can apply to so many things in science currently. Medicine, climate, any research topic really. It really can apply to anything in the world or anybody on a personal level. Thank you so much for mentioning group think unfortunately it seems as though that has been on the rise in its quite tightening. I love this video
This is one of the best presentations by Sabine or any other scientist or 'scientist' I've heard since James Tour's lectures on OoL (Origin of Life) research. Both are a must listen with serious contemplation of what is being said.
Very good summary. Thank you,
It is important in many different walks of life to be aware of this cognitive bias. Thankfully it is now openly discussed under non technical skills for surgeons in general.
Excellent video! I’ve encountered cognitive bias (and engaged in this at times) in all areas of life. If we understand this behavior better, we become better equipped to tackle challenges effectively.
Thank you for all that you do, Sabine! I hope you get 10 million subscribers!
Nice summary.
that's the most important topic to prevent dogmatism in science in my opinion. Thank's for another great and free video!
I take great inspiration from these videos. Thank you for speaking about these important topics in such a straight forward manner.
Scientists should encourage, and accept, criticism and differing opinions .
Very well presented video.
Science doesn't care about anyone's opinion until they have done the exhaustive research to support that opinion.
Content like this is a reason I unhesitatingly recommend your videos to my amateur science friends and readers. Thanks, Sabine!
Simply wonderful.
Thank you! Fantastic video
So much science fits what you say. 'Transitioning' hormones and surgery, food science, studying genetics in autism syndrome, doing no work on grassroots studies of Parkinson's, on and on and on.
Nice piece. Visually, too.
Excellent video. In my opinion, this subject is at the base of many issues facing humanity.
Thank you.
Outstanding. This critical topic used to be taught and reinforced by many, if not all, science faculties yet, only a few months ago, I heard a senior researcher speaking at a symposium list the concept of consensus as one of the key validations for their thesis (not climate related by the way).
Fantastic information - hope I am not biased though! :)
(Kidding - really informative, succinct and lucid expose.)
This report is an eye-opener for many.
This is a very good speech, but mostly a (very relevant) critic of the research system rather than of cognitive biases.
Another good book on this subject is ‘The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behaviour. I’m glad you covered this topic.
Excellent points!
Your view is so much appreciated. It appears in today's academia so many teachers, educators and professors implant their biases on their students. Open mindedness is neccessary for learning.
Why is that video so underrated, though so important?
You can not avoid it.
But a clever "Thought Experiment ", can help resolve some of the issues.
Thanks, Sabine!
thanks a lot for this video .
An excellent discussion. It of course not only applies to scientists but to all of us, as we seem to be slipping into a world where
one’s opinion can be taken as a fact on any matter. Billy
Bravo! Case in point: Hollywood. There are few movies made that have any real content. The good screenwriters were lost when they went on strike and were all fired. As a result we get reality shows and remakes of old successful stories recast for an audience that is unaware of the source of the script. Coupled with the groupthink that Hollywood and California should be telling us what to think and what the future should be, we are paralyzed and heading for the bottom.
Many thanks to you and to your team for the outstanding content and presentations. You are a breath of fresh air and inspiration.
See you next week. ❤️
What's weird is you would think losing $100 million+ on several remakes (e.g. Ben Hur, Men in Black, Terminator) would make them understand that they need to change. But year after year they repeat the same behavior.
All I need to do is to try to remember that I am not as smart as I think I am and there are vast numbers of people who are much smarter than I am and they are far more knowledgeable. Always back check your assumptions and regularly check your biases.
Sabine, you are a gem. That's my bias.
I've always been bias over the non bias. My first assumption is, my assumption is wrong.
I agree 100%. My 1st assumption is that your assumption is wrong too.
@@HooverVilleify
I assume both of you are wrong.
I also have a rule about technical information in the media. I always assume the news report got it wrong. This works because the assumption turns out to be correct more often than not so I can save a fair bit of time.
Thank you Sabine, I do appreciate you lectures not only on physics, but in mind to. Well prepared.
Commentators appreciate it too. (Am I biased?)
re: colors on chessboard. It also well-entablished fact that colors alternate and that the square "B" should be lighter. This is the other cognitive shortcut. Measurement, measurement, measurement.
Thank you for this video ... Its probably one most important topic (especially in our political world) ...
everyone needs to see this.
I can't say it better than an earlier comment (by Moebius), so all i can do is repeat it. This (really!) is super important information to remember for scientists and non scientists.
Everything you mention here can be applied to our daily lives.
Thank you Sabine.
Thank You so much! 🖖🏻
Thanks ma'am!
Sabine, I love how well you put "cognitive bias", into perspective. No wonder we cant solve many of the problems facing the world. thank you, Sabine, your like a precious gem amongst rock...always enjoy learning how to think, peace!
*can't
*you're
Plus the random comma after 'bias"' and the lack of a capital letter for the beginning of a sentence both should be edited.
You say you love to learn to think, so there's some more to think about. 🤔 😉
Very important topic, especially now when information can be overwhelmingly supportive of your cognitive bias
I love how Sabine succeeds in making us feeling unconforable and still making very much sense.
Feeling uncomfortable = growing and learning