What are cognitive biases in social judgment?

Cognitive biases in social judgment refer to systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment. These biases often occur when individuals rely on heuristics, which are mental shortcuts that simplify decision-making. Though these shortcuts can be useful, they can also lead to distorted judgments or decisions that are not aligned with objective reality.

For instance, when judging the behavior of others, a person might fall victim to the fundamental attribution error, where they overemphasize personal characteristics while downplaying situational factors. Such judgments are not random but rather reflect a consistent tendency to think in a certain way that diverges from rational evaluation. By understanding cognitive biases, individuals can become more aware of their thought processes and possibly mitigate the effects of these biases in their social interactions and decision-making.

The other options do not capture the essence of cognitive biases. Fleeting thoughts are often transient ideas that do not significantly impact decisions. Conscious beliefs are more structured thoughts that may guide values but do not explain the systematic errors that influence judgments. Unconscious memories can affect behavior, but they do not specifically pertain to the systematic deviations in judgment that cognitive biases describe. Hence, the recognition of cognitive biases as systematic patterns is crucial for understanding social judgment in psychology.