Cognitive bias and how to improve sustainable decision making

Abstract

The rapid advances of science and technology have provided a large part of the world with all conceivable needs and comfort. However, this welfare comes with serious threats to the planet and many of its inhabitants. An enormous amount of scientific evidence points at global warming, mass destruction of bio-diversity, scarce resources, health risks, and pollution all over the world. These facts are generally acknowledged nowadays, not only by scientists, but also by the majority of politicians and citizens. Nevertheless, this understanding has caused insufficient changes in our decision making and behavior to preserve our natural resources and to prevent upcoming (natural) disasters. In the present study, we try to explain how systematic tendencies or distortions in human judgment and decision-making, known as “cognitive biases,” contribute to this situation. A large body of literature shows how cognitive biases affect the outcome of our deliberations. In natural and primordial situations, they may lead to quick, practical, and satisfying decisions, but these decisions may be poor and risky in a broad range of modern, complex, and long-term challenges, like climate change or pandemic prevention. We first briefly present the social-psychological characteristics that are inherent to (or typical for) most sustainability issues. These are: experiential vagueness, long-term effects, complexity and uncertainty, threat of the status quo, threat of social status, personal vs. community interest, and group pressure. For each of these characteristics, we describe how this relates to cognitive biases, from a neuro-evolutionary point of view, and how these evolved biases may affect sustainable choices or behaviors of people. Finally, based on this knowledge, we describe influence techniques (interventions, nudges, incentives) to mitigate or capitalize on these biases in order to foster more sustainable choices and behaviors.

The Ability of Control Variables Morality and Environmental Pressure on Decision Making in Maintaining Business Sustainability

“…The documentary film entitled "Sexy Killers" which was released in April 2019 describes how activities carried out by a company have a negative impact on the environment and communities in the area around the company. The film, which was uploaded on YouTube, was widely watched and discussed by the public, thereby increasing public awareness regarding the importance of caring for environmental and social issues [3]. This also gives rise to the influence of pressure from outside (environmental pressure) which is very strong and influences decision-making activities.…”

“…This business decision will not only have a short-term impact, but can also have a long-term impact on the business. Making business decisions is also an important thing in maintaining company sustainability [3].…”

Kebaikan sebagai Bahasa Universal Dunia dan Surga: Analisis Konsep Domba dan Kambing dalam Matius 25:31-46

“…Kebaikan seringkali terhambat karena kecenderungan individu yang mementingkan kepentingan pribadinya, sehingga mengabaikan kesejahteraan masyarakat (Korteling et al, 2023). Egosentrisme, atau mengutamakan kepentingan diri sendiri, dapat menghambat pengembangan kebaikan dan kemajuan masyarakat.…”

Simple and Smart: Investigating Two Heuristics That Guide the Intention to Engage in Different Climate-Change-Mitigation Behaviors

“…Heuristics in psychology are defined as cognitive processes that help individuals come to a quick decision by ignoring (consciously or unconsciously) parts of the available information [21,22]. Gigerenzer [23] therefore coined the concept of a positive, "ecological rationality", which builds on simple heuristics which make decision making quick and smart.…”