A Hovercraft Full of Eels

Motivated Reasoning

Motivated Reasoning Plus Ideology Can Make You Foolish

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on March 6, 2023

People talk themselves into foolish ideas when they’re blinded by ideology. But can ideological capture be avoided?

People talk themselves into foolish ideas when they’re blinded by ideology. But can ideological capture be avoided?

Artificial Intelligence

Just How Accurate Is ChatGPT?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on February 6, 2023

Does ChatGPT have the capacity to know the likely accuracy of its response? If not, would that make ChatGPT a bullsh*t expert?

Does ChatGPT have the capacity to know the likely accuracy of its response? If not, would that make ChatGPT a bullsh*t expert?

Decision-Making

The Twitter Files, the Laptop, and Human Decision-Making

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

Twitter Files 1 offers an insight into the fundamentals of human decision-making.

Twitter Files 1 offers an insight into the fundamentals of human decision-making.

Decision-Making

Data Can Often Be Used to Tell Many Stories

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on December 8, 2022

Data often tell a story, but that story often reveals as much about us as it does about the data.

Data often tell a story, but that story often reveals as much about us as it does about the data.

Artificial Intelligence

AI and Unintended Consequences for Human Decision Making

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on November 7, 2022

While AI is intended to help humans make decisions, relying on it may have unintended consequences.

While AI is intended to help humans make decisions, relying on it may have unintended consequences.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Has Serious Implications for Choice Architecture

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on October 5, 2022

AI has introduced the potential to use what is called "hypernudging" to continuously adapt to human decision-making. What implications does this have?

AI has introduced the potential to use what is called "hypernudging" to continuously adapt to human decision-making. What implications does this have?

Intelligence

Choice Architecture: Whose Interests Matter?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on September 8, 2022

The way choices are presented to us can influence our decisions. Does it matter whose interests take priority?

The way choices are presented to us can influence our decisions. Does it matter whose interests take priority?

Career

COVID Altered the Frame of Reference About Remote Work

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on August 8, 2022

Is remote work here to stay for those who had it during the pandemic? That remains to be seen.

Is remote work here to stay for those who had it during the pandemic? That remains to be seen.

Motivated Reasoning

Ideology Is a Breeding Ground for Motivated Reasoning

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on July 13, 2022

Excessive adherence to ideological thinking can be problematic for our decision-making.

Excessive adherence to ideological thinking can be problematic for our decision-making.

Bias

The Major Problem with Many Fact-Checks

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on June 6, 2022

How often do fact-checks go beyond merely checking the facts of a claim—and is it a problem when they do?

How often do fact-checks go beyond merely checking the facts of a claim—and is it a problem when they do?

Bias

Why Being a Hypocrite (Especially Online) Is Probably Normal

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on May 10, 2022

Is moral hypocrisy a normal part of human nature? The answer may surprise you.

Is moral hypocrisy a normal part of human nature? The answer may surprise you.

Stress

Is Stress Really at "Alarming" Levels?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on April 18, 2022

A recent APA press release claimed stress levels were at "alarming" levels. But is this really accurate?

A recent APA press release claimed stress levels were at "alarming" levels. But is this really accurate?

Bias

Most Cognitive Biases Probably Don’t Cause Errors

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on March 22, 2022

Most cognitive biases do not produce consistent and recurring errors.

Most cognitive biases do not produce consistent and recurring errors.

Stress

How Much Adversity Do We Need?

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on February 28, 2022

Too little adversity can create as many problems as too much of it.

Too little adversity can create as many problems as too much of it.

Career

The Great Resignation Is Mostly a Great Overhype

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on January 24, 2022

The great resignation is largely a great overhype.

The great resignation is largely a great overhype.

Media

The Media Feeds Our Fears

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on December 27, 2021

We’re bombarded by negative news, causing us to be more fearful than we should. This can lead us to make faulty decisions based on skewed perceptions.

We’re bombarded by negative news, causing us to be more fearful than we should. This can lead us to make faulty decisions based on skewed perceptions.

Decision-Making

Our Decision-Making Doesn’t Always Fit the Rules of Logic

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on November 22, 2021

We often argue without paying much attention to the strength of our argument. This can lead to flawed decision making.

We often argue without paying much attention to the strength of our argument. This can lead to flawed decision making.

Heuristics

Fairness of Process Often Affects How We React to an Outcome

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on October 19, 2021

We tend to look to the process to decide if the outcome is fair.

We tend to look to the process to decide if the outcome is fair.

Motivated Reasoning

Our Internal Predictive Algorithms

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on September 20, 2021

Our human predictive algorithms work quite often. But sometimes, we set ourselves up for errors.

Our human predictive algorithms work quite often. But sometimes, we set ourselves up for errors.

Decision-Making

The (Dys)Functionality of Emotions in Human Decision-Making

Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on August 21, 2021

Emotions don't just cause errors in decision making. Without them, we wouldn't be able to make many decisions.

Emotions don't just cause errors in decision making. Without them, we wouldn't be able to make many decisions.