Cognitive Illusions investigates a wide range of fascinating psychological effects in the way we think, judge and remember in our everyday lives. At the beginning of each chapter, leading researchers in the field introduce the background to phenomena such as illusions of control, overconfidence and hindsight bias. This is followed by an explanation of the experimental context in which these illusions can be investigated and a theoretical discussion drawing conclusions about the wider implications of these fallacy and bias effects.

Written with researchers and instructors in mind, this tightly edited, reader-friendly text provides both an overview of research in the area and many lively pedagogic features such as chapter summaries, further reading lists and suggestions for classroom demonstrations.

Reviews

'This book is a marvellous achievement. Whereas many edited collections are best dipped into, I recommend reading this one from beginning to end. In doing so one becomes aware of the tantalising possibility that different psychological phenomena just might share some connection. In addition, the inclusion of classroom demonstrations in each chapter will be an invaluable resource for instructors.' - David Hardman, Department of Psychology, London Metropolitan University

Contents

R.F. Pohl, Introduction: Cognitive Illusions. Part 1: Thinking Illusions. J.E. Fisk, Conjunction Fallacy. M.H. Birnbaum, Base Rates in Bayesian Inference. S. Kurzenhäuser, A. Lücking, Statistical Formats in Bayesian Inferences. M.E. Oswald, S. Grosjean, Confirmation Bias. K. Fiedler, Illusory Correlation. S.C. Thompson, Illusions of Control. J. St. B.T. Evans, Biases in Deductive Reasoning. Part 2: Judgment Illusions. R. Reber, Availability. K.H. Teigen, Judgments by Representativeness. T. Mussweiler, B. Englich, F. Strack, Anchoring Effect. C. Hackett Renner, Validity Effect. R.F. Bornstein, C. Craver-Lemley, Mere Exposure Effect. U. Hoffrage, Overconfidence. M.W. Matlin, P Principle. Part 3: Memory Illusions. Heekyeong Park, Lynne M. Reder, Moses Illusion. G.V. Jones, M. Martin, Orientation Illusions in Memory. H.L. Roediger III, D.A. Gallo, Associative Memory Illusions. R.F. Pohl, Effects of Labeling. J. Pickrell, D.M. Bernstein, E.F. Loftus, Misinformation Effect. R.F. Pohl, Hindsight Bias. A. Wilson, M. Ross, Illusions of Change or Stability. Perspectives. V.A. Gheorghiu, G. Molz, R.F. Pohl, Suggestion and Illusion.

Author Bio

Rüdiger F. Pohl studied Psychology at the University Braunschweig, before accepting the position as Assistant Professor at the Justus Liebig University Giessen. His research has focussed on memory, especially knowledge representation, cognitive illusions and autobiographical memory.