Projection bias: how your “emotional temperature” impacts your decisions
Ever wondered why your decisions fluctuate with your emotions? Unravel the mystery of Projection Bias, a cognitive phenomenon that allows your current 'emotional temperature' to influence your choices. Discover how this bias shapes your decisions and ways to mitigate its impact.
Projection bias
The projection bias occurs when we are in a “hot” state of mind and incorrectly assume that our current needs will be the same as our future needs.
- As a result, we tend to make decisions based on how we feel right now instead of how we might feel in the future.
Why we can’t accurately predict our needs
Outside influences
- Projection bias can occur because we don’t realize how much exogenous factors – things that happen outside of our control – can influence our decision-making.
- Overestimating impact
- When we are faced with significant life events, like moving or changing careers, we often believe that they will have a long-lasting impact on our lives
- The heat of the moment
- We make choices for our future selves based on our current emotional state
How to avoid the projection bias
Check your emotional temperature
- We can get so swept up by stress and anxiety that it disrupts our ability to make good choices in real-time
- Cool off
- Reflect
- Take some time to reflect on your energy levels and work habits during the week
- Ask yourself: when did I feel the most energetic? When did I start to feel tired? Did I accomplish all of my tasks when I was fatigued?