Based on the assumption that a fundamental cognitive process by which we make sense of the world is by intuitive sampling of available data and that, thus, many cognitive biases can be explained in terms of bad sampling processes, these 19 papers presented by Fiedler (psychology, U. of Heidelberg, Germany) and Juslin (psychology, Uppsala U., Sweden) consider psychological models of intuitive cognitive sampling and its implications for human thought. The papers are organized into sections on the psychological law of large numbers, biased and unbiased judgments from biased samples, types of information contents sampled, and vicissitudes of sampling in the researcher's mind and method. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Even the most intelligent and informed judges and decision makers have been shown to be prone to errors and biases with potentially serious consequences. Previous scientific attempts to explain the causes of wrong decisions have mainly focused on shortcomings in the cognitive processing of the information given. The recent research reviewed in the present volume offers an intriguing alternative for consideration. Although the input of environmental information samples may be biased, the cognitive processing of information samples is often unbiased and remarkably accurate.
This book proposes that environmental information samples are biased and cognitive processes are not.
