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Link to this presentation: https://bit.ly/RivetingResearch
Part I: Cognitive Bias Game
Based on the YouTube video below, I play a game to teach "cognitive bias" with my students.
Supplies:
Individual whiteboards (I use laminated cardstock)
Whiteboard markers
Tissues to use to erase
I give the students the starting numbers "2, 4, 8" then have them EITHER write 3 more numbers on the board that may or may not follow the sequence OR propose the rule. Since I am playing 30-1, I just point and say "meets the rule" or "does not meet the rule" to the numbers and "That isn't the rule" to all of the incorrect rules.
After a few minutes of students struggling, I point out that everyone is finding numbers that MEET the rule, but no one is trying to look at it from the other angle and see what numbers DO NOT meet the rule.
After someone gets the rule or everyone gives up, I talk about how this is an example of cognitive bias, which is part of being human. We look for information that already fits what we believe, while we do not seek out information that would debunk what we know, or think to be true. As researchers, it is our job to do BOTH, if we are doing honest research.
2) Tell students that they are going to compare the news live at this moment between two sites, one L (cnn.com) and one R (foxnews.com). Tell the students they can start with the site of their choice and look at the news headlines of the day. Give the students several minutes then have them switch to the other site. Have the students identify any news stories that are being reported on by BOTH the news outlets.
Usually, the number is 0, 1, or 2. Ask students, compared to the entire number of stories being reported, how much would someone that ONLY goes to one of those sources for their news have in common with someone else that only went to the other site.
Also, ask students to notice the pictures and news stories on both sites and see who/what they are painting in a positive/negative light using words and pictures.
Now imagine over a period of months, the two people kept going to ONLY one of these sites, but not the other. In several months, how might those two people's world views be different?
When using sources, it is OK for a source to have a bias. BUT you always need to be asking who wrote it and why? Also, ask what information is out there that would contradict my source. A great source for news is www.allsides.com
Bias Bingo Lesson
Bias Bingo Lesson
As a follow up to teaching Bias, a month or two later I bring students in to play a game of Bias Bingo! Students read this article on the types of bias, then are asked to use any news source of their choice to identify examples of this type of bias. Please preview the types of Bias definitions to ensure you think they are appropriate for your students before using.
Bias_Bingo.pdfBais in news Sources by MediaSmarts CA for Bias Bingo.docxPage updated
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