CHAPTER 9: Good websites and Bias information

Good websites and Bias information

Good Websites 

- Are impeccably clean

- Have personality

- Stand out

- Are extremely effective

- Are well thought out and usable

Example

Bias information

Description

When we are trying to make a decision, we generally seek data on which to rationally base the choice. Where this goes wrong, is when we assume that all information is useful, and that 'more is better'.

Sometimes, extra information adds no significant value. Sometimes it simply serves to confuse.

RESEARCH

Baron, Beattie, and Hershey (1988), gave subjects a diagnostic problem involving fictitious symptoms, tests and diseases. Many subjects said they would need additional tests even when they had sufficient data.

EXAMPLE

A manager gets consultants to do a study of the marketplace when a third party report is already available at far less cost.

SO WHAT?

Using it

When you want people to pay attention to your information, even when they have other information you may well be able to present it, for example as 'new findings'.

You can also deliberately create overload by encouraging people to seek more and more data.

Defending

Think first about what information you need and go for that which is just sufficient and necessary.

EXAMPLE 

PSYCH BASICS

Biascognitive biases, discrimination, heuristics, prejudice, stereotypes, racism, sexism

     A bias is a tendency. Most biases—like preferring to eat food instead of paper clips, or assuming someone on fire should be put out—are helpful. But cognitive shortcuts can cause problems when we're not aware of them and we apply them inappropriately, leading to rash decisions or discriminatory practices (based on, say, racism and sexism). Relying on biases but keeping them in check requires a delicate balance of self-awareness.