Psychology Full Course–Volume 09: Cognitive Biases
What is Cognitive Bias
Our minds are incredibly powerful—but they aren't always accurate. Every day, we make decisions influenced by mental shortcuts known as cognitive biases. While these shortcuts help us process information quickly, they can also lead to errors in judgment, flawed decisions, and distorted perceptions of reality.
What you'll learn:
What cognitive biases are and why they occur
Common biases that affect judgment and decision-making
How biases influence memory, beliefs, and behavior
Real-world examples from everyday life
Practical ways to recognize and reduce biased thinking
What you learn in five minutes, can change the way you see the world.
How to use this Handbook
This handbook is organised as short chapters, each built around the Videos from the corresponding playlist published on the YouTube Channel @FiveMinuteLearnings. To get the most out of it:
Start with the AT A GLANCE box at the beginning of every chapter — it gives you the key idea, the psychologist behind it, the theory category, and a real-world application in a single glance.
Read the chapter itself — this is the original script from the video, lightly edited for readability, so the voice and examples remain exactly as taught.
Review the KEY TAKEAWAYS at the end of each chapter for quick revision — ideal before an exam or interview.
Scan the QR code (or tap the link) in any chapter to watch the full video lesson on YouTube.
If you are preparing for exams such as UPSC or undergraduate psychology assessments, the AT A GLANCE and KEY TAKEAWAYS sections together work well as a rapid revision guide across all chapters.