cognitive distortions
Do we think we are smarter than we are?
© jessica / Adobe Stock
We all know that to err is human, but some people don’t even realize how human it really is. You can read here what cognitive distortions are all about and how we deal with them.
Regardless of whether we have the IQ of Albert Einstein or that of Olaf Scholz or Angela Merkel or Meghan Markle, as humans we are comparatively intelligent – at least in competition with the other species on our planet. Every day we put our intelligence to the test: when we talk to each other, when we obey traffic rules or break them whenever it suits the situation, when we find the reason for something or at least look for it. Our intelligence is the prerequisite for our thinking. However, this is often and often systematically incorrect. It doesn’t matter whether we have the IQ of Albert Einstein or that of Olaf Scholz, Angela Merkel or Meghan Markle.
Cognitive Distortions: Systematic error is human
Cognitive psychologists use the term cognitive distortion to collect systematic errors to which we are subject in our thinking, perception, judgment and evaluation. A prominent example that is quite relevant to our lives is the so-called confirmation bias: we tend to interpret information in such a way that it reinforces our position. Other examples that, at least some scientists claim, are partially related to confirmation bias include the thinking strategy that we often infer other people from ourselves to a far greater extent than is appropriate, or the assumption that most people share our opinion. The third-person effect, which states that we assess the negative effect of media on ourselves as less than on other people, can also be related to confirmation bias as a cognitive bias: We know that advertising, for example, has an influence has on people. Otherwise it wouldn’t be produced after all. However, we are convinced that we are smart and stable enough not to let ourselves be influenced – so it will probably be the others who can be manipulated. One last example, since it is very interesting for everyday life: In conversations, we tend to assume that our counterparts want to convince us, even though they are actually primarily interested in an exchange.
Why is our thinking so flawed?
So far, scientists have identified and described several dozen cognitive biases. Some of these, like confirmation bias, show or stem from our fundamental assumption that our personal views are reasonable and a reliable reference for judging other people. We would only have to change continents once to find out: There are completely different ways of looking at the world. What we (can) know and see as individuals is a tiny fraction of what there is to know and see. But our perspective and mental capacity are limited. We perceive our knowledge as a lot because it is actually a lot for us. And because it feels better to us, if we were constantly aware of our own limitations and ignorance, it could damage our self-esteem and question the meaning of our existence. It could become a threat to our lives. So we’d rather be wrong, over and over again. Without even realizing it.
Similarly, all our thinking errors can probably be explained and some even we, with our distorted cognitive makeup, can make sense of. So it would not be entirely out of place to say that even our systematic errors are intelligent in a way.
Human intelligence has a natural function
Currently, as artificial intelligence is making progress and gaining relevance, we may occasionally feel threatened with our cognitive abilities, which are dependent on the form of the day and are subject to hormonal fluctuations. But in all their limitations and flaws, our cognitive abilities and our intelligence have survived thousands of years and developed in and with this time. It is part of our thinking that we design goals and ideals – and evaluate mistakes and mistakes as negative. But if we don’t live up to our ideals, but at the same time realize that what we have to come to terms with works well and serves its purpose, we can be at least as satisfied with ourselves as a koala or a butterfly.
Those who believe that human intelligence is the greatest marvel of the universe and must be perfected, imitated, or entrusted with dominating the worlds may be primarily demonstrating a variety of confirmation bias. Even an Albert Einstein could think worse when he had to multi-task, or might have trouble coping after a traumatic experience. Our intelligence is an important and necessary quality for our life and survival. On the one hand, we would certainly do well to nurture and care for them as best we can and not let them wither away. On the other hand, we can certainly appreciate and marvel at them in all their manifestations and with all their weaknesses and mistakes – in ourselves as well as in all other people.
Sources used: pektrum.de, ionos.de, podcast: “Cared for Feeling”