Purifying Hearts, Empowering Minds!

The Cognitive Bias Codex is a collection of many different types of cognitive biases—ways in which our brains can lead us to make mistakes in thinking. Understanding cognitive biases and their impact on thinking can transform how students learn and interact with the world. By recognizing and addressing these biases, teachers can foster a more inclusive, open-minded, and critical thinking environment. Below are examples and case studies demonstrating how primary school teachers can effectively tackle cognitive biases in their classrooms.

1. Confirmation Bias

- What it is: This is when we pay more attention to information that confirms what we already believe and ignore information that contradicts it.

- Classroom Application: Encourage students to explore multiple perspectives and question their own assumptions. For example, if they believe one solution is the best, ask them to consider why other solutions might also work.

Example: A student strongly believes that they are not good at math because they struggled with a few problems in the past. They pay more attention to the times they get math problems wrong and ignore their successes.

Case Study:

Scenario: Ms. Jameela, a primary school teacher, noticed that one of her students, Mariam, consistently avoided math activities. Mariam believed she wasn't good at math due to past failures.

Solution: Ms. Jameela started a “Math Success” journal where students recorded every math problem they solved correctly. She also encouraged students to discuss their problem-solving strategies in groups, highlighting different approaches and successes.

Outcome: Mariam's confidence in math improved as she began to see and acknowledge her successes. The group discussions helped all students understand that multiple methods could lead to correct answers, reducing the focus on failures.

2. Anchoring Bias

- What it is: This is when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information we get (the "anchor") when making decisions.

- Classroom Application: When introducing new topics, give a range of examples and avoid making any one example seem like the definitive answer. This helps students remain open to new information.

Example: During a science experiment, students are asked to guess the number of seeds inside a watermelon. The first student guesses 50, and the subsequent guesses are heavily influenced by this initial number.

Case Study:

Scenario: Mr. Lathif, a primary school teacher, observed that students’ estimates in science experiments were often clustered around the first guess made.

Solution: Mr. Lathif introduced a “Silent Estimation” activity where each student wrote down their estimate before any guesses were shared. After collecting all the estimates, he displayed the range of guesses and discussed how different experiences and perspectives led to varied estimates.

Outcome: Students’ estimates became more varied and independent. They learned to rely on their own observations and reasoning rather than being influenced by others’ initial guesses.

3. Availability Heuristic

- What it is: This is when we think something is more common or likely because it's easier to remember.

- Classroom Application: Use a variety of examples in lessons, not just the most memorable ones. This helps students understand that their first thought might not always be the most accurate.

Example: After watching a documentary about sharks, students might believe that shark attacks are more common than they actually are because the images and stories are vivid and memorable.

Case Study:

Scenario: Ms. Parveen noticed her students were excessively worried about rare events, like shark attacks, after watching dramatic videos.

Solution: She introduced a “Probability Wall” where students researched and posted statistics about various events (e.g., shark attacks vs. car accidents). They then discussed why certain events seem more common based on media exposure and personal experiences.

Outcome: Students gained a more realistic understanding of risks and probabilities. They became more critical of dramatic representations in media and learned to seek out factual information.

4. Bandwagon Effect

- What it is: This is when we do something just because many other people are doing it.

- Classroom Application: Promote independent thinking by celebrating unique ideas and discouraging students from simply following what others do. Encourage students to justify their own choices and opinions.

Example: During a class vote on the next book to read, many students choose a book just because their friends did, not because they are genuinely interested in it.

Photo courtesy: Mr.Pravin - BE CSE, Arifa Institute of Technology, Esanoor, Nagapattinam. First prize winner in photo competition conducted by District Collector of Nagapattinam.

Case Study:

Scenario: Mr. Suhail noticed that during classroom votes, students often followed the choices of their peers rather than making independent decisions.

Solution: He implemented a “Secret Ballot” system where students made their choices privately. He also created opportunities for students to present their reasons for their choices, encouraging diverse opinions.

Outcome: The range of chosen books became more varied, reflecting individual preferences rather than group conformity. Students felt more confident in expressing their own opinions.

5. Self-Serving Bias

- What it is: This is when we attribute our successes to our own actions and our failures to external factors.

- Classroom Application: Teach students to reflect on both their successes and mistakes. Help them understand that effort and strategies are often the reasons behind both, and that it's okay to make mistakes as long as they learn from them.

Example: A student attributes their success on a spelling test to their hard work but blames a poor score on difficult words or a noisy classroom.

Case Study:

Scenario: Ms. Haleema observed that her students often attributed their successes to personal skills and their failures to external factors.

Solution: She started “Reflection Sessions” after tests, where students analyzed both their successful and unsuccessful answers. They discussed strategies that worked and areas that needed improvement.

Outcome: Students developed a more balanced view of their abilities and the factors affecting their performance. They became more proactive in seeking help and using effective study strategies.

6. Overconfidence Effect

- What it is: This is when we overestimate our abilities or the accuracy of our knowledge.

- Classroom Application: Encourage students to double-check their work and ask for peer feedback. Create a classroom culture where it’s okay to admit not knowing something and to ask for help.

Example: A student overestimates their ability to finish a project quickly and ends up rushing and producing subpar work.

Case Study:

Scenario: Ms. Bavani found that students often underestimated the time needed for projects, leading to last-minute rushes.

Solution: She introduced “Project Planning Workshops” where students broke down their projects into smaller tasks and estimated the time required for each task. They reviewed and adjusted their plans weekly.

Outcome: Students became more realistic about their time management and project planning. The quality of their work improved as they allocated sufficient time for each task.

7. Hindsight Bias

- What it is: This is when we believe, after an event has occurred, that we would have predicted or expected the outcome.

- Classroom Application: After completing an activity or a test, discuss with students what they expected and what actually happened. This helps them see the difference between their predictions and the outcomes.

Example: After a science experiment fails, a student claims they "knew it wouldn't work" even though they initially predicted it would succeed.

Case Study:

Scenario: Mr. Abdullah noticed students often claimed they “knew” outcomes after seeing results, regardless of their initial predictions.

Solution: He started documenting students’ predictions and reasons before conducting experiments. After the experiments, students compared their predictions with actual outcomes and discussed any differences.

Outcome: Students became more aware of the learning process and the value of making and testing predictions. They understood that changing their minds based on new evidence was a normal part of learning.

8. Sunk Cost Fallacy

- What it is: This is when we continue to invest in something because of the time, effort, or money we have already put into it, rather than because it's the best choice now.

- Classroom Application: Teach students to evaluate their options based on current benefits and not past investments. For instance, if a project isn’t working, it’s okay to change direction or try something new.

Example: A student continues working on a drawing they don't like just because they've already spent a lot of time on it, instead of starting over with a new idea.

Case Study:

Scenario: Ms. Wahidah observed that students often stuck with unproductive projects due to the time and effort already invested.

Solution: She introduced “Creative Breaks” where students reviewed their projects and discussed whether continuing or changing direction would be more beneficial. She praised students for recognizing when a change was needed.

Outcome: Students became more flexible and willing to start over if a project wasn’t working out. They learned to focus on current benefits rather than past investments, leading to more successful and satisfying outcomes.

Conclusion

By understanding and addressing cognitive biases, primary school teachers can create a more dynamic, thoughtful, and effective learning environment. These case studies show how simple strategies can help students develop critical thinking skills and make better decisions, both inside and outside the classroom and can help students develop better thinking skills, make more rational decisions, and be more open-minded learners.