Understanding Cognitive Biases
A worksheet for 6th graders to learn about common cognitive biases and how they influence our thinking and decisions.
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Understanding Cognitive Biases
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. This worksheet will help you understand how our brains sometimes take shortcuts that can lead to biased thinking.
What are Cognitive Biases?
Cognitive biases are like mental shortcuts our brains take to make decisions quickly. Sometimes these shortcuts are helpful, but other times they can lead us to make mistakes or unfair judgments. Let's explore some common types of cognitive biases.
1. Cognitive biases are like mental that our brains use to make decisions.
2. Sometimes these mental shortcuts can lead to judgments or mistakes.
3. Which of the following best describes a cognitive bias?
A way to think very slowly and carefully.
A mental shortcut that can sometimes lead to errors.
A type of physical exercise for the brain.
A method for solving complex math problems.
4. Which cognitive bias makes us pay more attention to information that confirms what we already believe?
Anchoring bias
Availability heuristic
Confirmation bias
Halo effect
5. Think about a time you made a quick decision without thinking it through carefully. Do you think a cognitive bias might have been at play? Explain your answer.
Our brain is a powerful tool, but it can sometimes trick us with cognitive biases. Take a look at this image of the human brain.
6. Cognitive biases always lead to bad decisions.
True
False
7. Being aware of cognitive biases can help us make better decisions.
True
False
8. Imagine a friend tells you that their favorite sports team is the best, even when they consistently lose. What cognitive bias might be influencing their opinion? How could you gently help them see other perspectives?