Instructors: Three Cognitive Biases to Outsmart

Among the approximately 250 identified cognitive biases, some deserve consideration in the educational field. This is the case with the Pygmalion effect, which we have already discussed, influencing the relationship between teacher and learner and potentially having a significant impact on learning. Here are three particularly notable ones: the bias blind spot, the halo effect, and the curse of knowledge.

When Pygmalion Invites Himself into the Classroom

Many of our daily judgments, although they seem thoughtful, are not rational and can lead us to unwise decisions. These errors in judgment are known as "cognitive biases," and there are currently about 250 identified. While the field of education promotes critical thinking, the relationship between teachers and learners often fosters the emergence of certain biases, which can have significant consequences on learning.