No. 295 · Your own mind · Human Nature and Judgement
Blind Spot Bias
We see bias clearly in other people and hardly at all in ourselves.
In the Almanac
“The Madrid fingerprint”, 2004 · “Arthur Andersen”, 2001–2002
Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.
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Questions
What is Blind Spot Bias?
Blind spot bias is the tendency to notice how bias distorts others' thinking while assuming our own views come from clear observation. Intelligence doesn't protect us; it can make us better at justifying ourselves.
How do you avoid Blind Spot Bias?
Because you can't see your own blind spot, build in outside checks. Ask colleagues to argue the other side, write down your reasons before decisions, and give others the same charity you give yourself.
When does Blind Spot Bias matter?
Blind Spot Bias is one of the 31 mental models for your own mind, the situations where you ask: Is my own thinking leading me astray? Within that, it belongs to “Seeing what you want to see”, alongside Cognitive Dissonance, Commitment and Consistency Bias and Confirmation Bias.
What is an example of Blind Spot Bias?
Two stories show it at work: The Madrid fingerprint (2004) and Arthur Andersen (2001–2002). Both are told in full in The Mental Models Daily Almanac, which has two stories for each of its 365 models.
Which mental models are related to Blind Spot Bias?
Bias from Incentives, Devil’s Advocate Position and Fundamental Attribution Error. Blind Spot Bias itself comes from human nature and judgement.