Reality Distortions: How 7 Illusions of Perception Impact Everyone (Especially Napoleon) - [#4 Cog Biases]

Cognitive biases distort reality with good and bad results (like really bad). Today is a fun experiment where we combine Psychology and History. We learn about the 7 perception-based illusions of Cognitive Biases whilst applying them to the life of Napoleon. We understand how biases can be useful for us and lead us to greatness and how they can also be our downfall. Cognitive biases covered: Selective Perception - Why we see things how we want to see them Exposure Effect - How repetition makes us likes stuff Baader-Meinhof Effect - Why we notice our car everywhere after we buy it Placebo Effect - How to make your leg being cut off less awful Illusion of Control - Why you can't roll dice Clustering Illusion - How we spot patterns that don't exist Contrast Effect - Why comparison makes things awful but also wonderful Further reading: Napoleon The Great - Andrew Roberts - UK Book - US Book Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman - UK Book - US Book Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely - UK Book - US Book Further Listening Enjoyed this episode? Check out the rest of the Cognitive Ciases series: Ego Blindspots: 9 Cognitive Biases to Avoid - [May 7th] Human Nature vs. Money: Battling Irrationality & Thinking Traps [May 19th] Confirmation Bias and the 7 Sins of Lazy Thinking - [June 4th] [YOU ARE HERE] - Reality Distortion Cognitive Rigidity and How Einstein Overcame the 5 Biases that Keep Us Stuck - [June 19th] Thinking Fast and Slow: How to Make Better Decisions - [July 12th] Sponsors: Cozy Earth: Luxury Bamboo sheets and Loungeware that become softer as you use them. 35% off code 'GROWTH' - CozyEarth.com SleepyClub: Doctor-approved natural sleeping aid that improves sleep quality. Safe to take every day. 20% discount code 'GROWTH20' - SleepyClub.co.uk ShortForm: Summaries and guides for the world's best books and ideas. FREE trial and 20% off annual fee - ShortForm.com/Psychology Influence the Show Meet me - Free call Feedback - Request and Ideas Form Growth Mindset pod Sam Webster explores the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. Watch - YouTube (Growth Mindset) Mail - GrowthMindsetPodcast(at)gmail.com Insta - SamJam.zen Newsletter - Explosive Thinking Chapters: 00:00 Princeton Vs. Dartmouth 01:34 Selective Perception in Politics 02:26 Reality Distortion Fields 04:13 Napoleon's Rise and Fall 05:57 The Exposure Effect 09:06 The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon 11:24 The Placebo Effect 15:53 The Illusion of Control 18:59 Napoleon's Russian Campaign 21:25 The Clustering Illusion 25:29 The Contrast Effect 30:00 Reflections on Cognitive Biases 33:11 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action Topics: overcoming selective perception for personal growth using the mere exposure effect to build positive habits Baader-Meinhof phenomenon and mindfulness practices applying the placebo effect to boost self-confidence illusion of control and decision making strategies clustering illusion impact on personal finance contrast effect in daily life and productivity psychology of mindset and cognitive biases cognitive biases and personal development improving decision making through understanding cognitive biases Napoleon cognitive biases analysis how Napoleon's decisions were influenced by biases cognitive biases in historical figures psychological analysis of Napoleon Bonaparte cognitive biases experiments and examples Napoleon Bonaparte decision making impact of cognitive biases on leadership psychological insights into Napoleon's strategies contrast effect in Napoleon's campaigns illusion of control in historical decisions mere exposure effect examples in history Baader-Meinhof phenomenon historical examples selective perception in Napoleon's battles clustering illusion and military strategy placebo effect in leadership confidence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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There are a lot of opinions on how to master your mind, but then there’s PSYCHOLOGY. We’re all stuck with the brain we’re born with, but we aren’t stuck with how we use it. Learn science-backed answers to make the most of your mind and your life. CURIOUS? Growth Mindset Psychology is the "self-help sceptic" podcast for the curious. Whether you want to improve performance, navigate setbacks, or know who you are. We find answers to the true science of self-improvement. So put down the astrology chart and start working with your mind, instead of against it. With over 8 million downloads and 60,000 monthly listeners, you’re invited to join. PROCESS Instead of telling you what to think, we discuss how thinking works. Armed with a stack of science journals, textbooks and a boatload of curiosity, we uncover the mechanics of the mind. Why? >>> Success is personal! You might want to make the most of your neurodiverse strengths, start a business, or simply find more reasons to smile. Hone your ability for independent thinking and growth with mental models to pursue your definition of success. HOST I’m Sam Webster Harris, a lifelong learner with ADHD, a raging curiosity, and an obsession with finding answers to hard questions. After launching several businesses, travelling the world and nearly dying a few times I concluded that science and Psychology are where it’s at. What actually makes people happy? What’s the best way to treat a brain? How can I get more done? Studying the answers we find that changing behaviours requires building mindsets, mental models, and a healthy relationship with failure. I run the show to help listeners enjoy nutritious content that feeds their minds (and I needed a legitimate excuse to cover for my reading addiction). PREMIUM Go Ad-Free and listen to exclusive content. Support the show and access the AMA features and community Discord. Growth Mindset Premium ARCHIVE Previous guests include Olympians, Scientists, Billionaires, and Sam's Mum. Past series: — Psychology vs Stoicism — Time Management for busy mortals — Independence and knowing yourself — Cognitive biases and rational thinking — Psychology of connection — Carol Dweck and the Multiverse of Mindsets