Matt_Simpson comments on The Cognitive Science of Rationality - LessWrong

88 Post author: lukeprog 12 September 2011 08:48PM

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Comment author: Matt_Simpson 11 September 2011 07:57:36PM *  0 points [-]

Type 2 processes are computationally expensive, and thus humans are 'cognitive misers'. This means that we (1) default to Type 1 processes whenever possible, and (2) when we must use Type 2 processes, we use the least expensive kinds of Type 2 processes, those with a 'focal bias' — a disposition to reason from the simplest model available instead of considering all the relevant factors. Hence, we are subject to confirmation bias (our cognition is focused on what we already believe) and other biases.

I don't follow how this results in confirmation bias. Perhaps you could make it more explicit?

(Also, great article. This looks like a good way to introduce people to LW and LW-themed content.)