Three Errors in Judgment We Are All Too Inclined to Make

We all like to think we make our decisions with care and clarity. Whether we’re choosing a career path, navigating relationships, or evaluating health options, it often feels like we’re relying on solid reasoning. But beneath even our most confident choices, hidden mental shortcuts can subtly impact our judgment, often without us realizing it.

These shortcuts, known as cognitive biases, are used by the brain to help us simplify complex problems. Unfortunately, they can also skew how we interpret information, weigh evidence, and reach conclusions. They’re not signs of irrationality or ignorance. In fact, they’re part of how the brain processes information efficiently. But when left unchecked, these biases can lead us to ignore important details, dismiss alternative perspectives, and fall into decision-making traps.

The Invisible Influences on Decision-Making

Most people believe they approach big decisions thoughtfully by comparing options, weighing pros and cons, and seeking advice when needed. And many do. But even in the most deliberate decision-making process, cognitive biases can creep in and shape our thinking in quiet, powerful ways.

Consider the challenge of choosing a career or degree program. With so many options and unknowns, people often default to familiar choices or recommendations that come quickly to mind. In moments like these, we may think we’re making a purely rational decision, but our brains might be leaning on mental patterns that deserve a closer look.

Cognitive biases are rooted in our biology, evolved to help us make fast judgments in uncertain situations. In some cases, these shortcuts are helpful, like recognizing danger quickly or identifying a familiar face in a crowd. But in other areas of life, especially when the stakes are high or the context is emotionally charged, they can lead us astray ^[1].

What makes biases so tricky is that they often operate outside of our awareness. We might feel confident in our reasoning without realizing we’re favoring certain information, ignoring alternative viewpoints, or filling in gaps with assumptions. This doesn’t mean we’re incapable of making good decisions. It simply means that being human comes with blind spots.

By learning how these cognitive tendencies work, we can start to spot them in ourselves through intentional mindfulness and begin making healthy choices that are more balanced and informed.

Three Common Judgment Errors

Here are three cognitive biases that commonly influence decision-making, often without us realizing it ^[2]:

• Representativeness bias: This is the tendency to judge situations based on how closely they resemble something familiar, rather than considering actual probabilities or broader context. For example, if someone has had one bad experience with a particular job field, they may assume all roles in that field will be negative, even if objective evidence suggests otherwise. This bias can cause people to overlook valid options simply because they don’t “match” their expectations.
• Availability bias: This bias leads people to base decisions on information that comes to mind most easily, rather than on all relevant data. For instance, if someone recently heard several stories about friends experiencing breakups, they may begin to believe that healthy relationships are rare and most relationships are unstable, even if their own relationship is going well. This can lead to unnecessary worry and a skewed view of what’s typical.
• Confirmatory bias: Also known as confirmation bias, this occurs when we form an early opinion and then seek out information that supports it while ignoring evidence that might challenge it ^[3]. For example, someone might decide early on that a particular therapist isn’t helpful and then focus only on the sessions that felt unproductive, dismissing any progress made. This tendency can reinforce narrow thinking and limit personal growth.

Real-World Examples of Bias

Cognitive biases aren’t just abstract concepts. They show up in daily decisions, often in subtle ways that shape our choices more than we realize. Whether we’re navigating a job search, managing our health, or communicating with a partner, these mental shortcuts can quietly steer us off course.

Here’s how each of the three judgment errors might appear in different areas of life:

Bias Type	Career	Health	Relationships
Representativeness	Assuming a job will be stressful because a friend disliked it	Believing a diagnosis is unlikely because it doesn’t “fit” your idea of what it looks like	Judging a new partner based on traits of a past relationship
Availability	Choosing a popular job field because it’s frequently discussed online	Worrying about a rare illness after hearing about it repeatedly in the news	Believing most relationships fail after seeing several recent breakups
Confirmatory	Dismissing job options that don’t align with what you’ve already decided	Ignoring test results that contradict an initial assumption	Only noticing behavior that supports an early negative impression

By recognizing these patterns, we can start to question our initial reactions and open the door to more balanced, informed choices.

Why Bias Doesn’t Equal Bad Decisions

It’s important to remember that just because our thinking includes bias doesn’t mean our decisions are wrong or flawed. In fact, cognitive biases exist because they’ve helped humans survive. They allow us to react quickly, make judgments under pressure, and function in a world full of uncertainty ^[4].

The trouble arises when we rely on these shortcuts in situations that require deeper reflection. A choice influenced by bias isn’t necessarily a poor one, but it may be narrower than it could have been. For example, someone might choose a doctor based on familiarity rather than qualifications, or stay in a job that feels “safe” despite signs of burnout. These decisions might work out fine, but they may also reflect missed opportunities for growth, connection, or well-being.

The key is not to eliminate bias, which isn’t realistic, but to become more aware of when it’s operating. With awareness comes the ability to pause, reconsider, and expand the lens through which we view our options.

How to Recognize and Reduce Judgment Errors

The first step in managing cognitive bias is simple but powerful. We must notice when it’s happening. Biases often surface when we feel rushed, emotionally triggered, or overly confident in our instincts. Slowing down during these moments can help us create just enough space to question our thinking ^[5].

Here are a few ways to reduce the impact of judgment errors:

• Label your thinking: When you catch yourself making a snap decision, try identifying the mental shortcut behind it. Are you relying on familiar experiences (representativeness), vivid examples (availability), or seeking only confirming evidence (confirmatory)? Putting a name to the pattern gives you more control over it.
• Invite other perspectives: Ask trusted people how they would approach the same decision. Outside input can disrupt biased patterns and introduce new angles you hadn’t considered.
• Seek contradictory information: Make it a habit to explore opposing viewpoints, even when they feel uncomfortable. Reading articles or talking to people with different experiences can challenge confirmation bias and broaden your perspective.
• Reflect before reacting: Especially in emotionally charged situations, give yourself a buffer before making a final call. A few hours, or even a few deep breaths, can be enough to reduce the influence of unconscious biases.

These practices don’t require perfection. Even becoming a little more aware of your thinking patterns can lead to more thoughtful decisions over time. If you’re finding it difficult to apply these strategies on your own, working with a therapist can provide support and guidance tailored to your needs.

Case Study: From Bias to Better Decisions

Consider Jordan, a mid-career professional contemplating a major career change. After seeing several colleagues leave their industry for tech jobs and reading multiple news stories about the booming tech sector, Jordan becomes convinced that switching to tech is the only smart move. 

This is an example of availability bias in action. The experiences most vivid in Jordan’s mind start to overshadow other important information. Eager for certainty, Jordan also falls into confirmation bias by seeking out articles that hype tech career success and overlooking statistics about job market fluctuations or adjustment challenges faced by mid-career switchers. For weeks, Jordan ignores concerns about leaving behind a fulfilling team and the skills already built in the current industry.

During lunch with a friend, Jordan shares the plan. The friend gently asks about the reasons behind the decision and offers alternative perspectives, encouraging Jordan to think about personal strengths, long-term satisfaction, and the value of exploring internal growth opportunities. This pause is enough for Jordan to slow down and reflect.

Jordan realizes the initial excitement was fueled by stories that felt immediate and reassuring, not by a thorough, balanced evaluation. By acknowledging the pull of availability and confirmation biases and inviting another viewpoint, Jordan broadens the decision-making process. Weighing a wider range of factors, Jordan ultimately creates a more thoughtful and personally meaningful career plan.

Greater Clarity and Resilience

Cognitive biases are a natural part of how the human brain works. They help us manage complexity, but they can also quietly distort our view of the world and limit our choices. The good news is that once we know how these mental shortcuts operate, we can begin to challenge them with curiosity, not judgment.

Whether you’re making decisions about your health, career, or relationships, staying open to multiple perspectives can lead to greater clarity and resilience. It’s not about getting every decision perfectly “right.” It’s about giving yourself the space to think more fully, feel more grounded, and grow more intentionally.