"COGNITIVE BIASES: DO THEY IMPACT INSTANT DECISION-MAKING BASED ON ETHNIC SIMILARITY?"

Abstract

Motivation: Due to recent media coverage (war coverage of Ukraine vs. Palestine vs. Congo), religious phobia-based issues during World Cup 2022, or lack of exposure to other(s), the authors' curiosity was triggered to examine how potential cognitive biases might impact decision making concerning global environmental issues.Since the effects of the biases are not fully understood nor fully valued, this paper is exploring the topic further.Objectives: The paper illustrates the mediating effect of cognitive biases on decision-making (DV = dependent variable) based on global environmental issues concerning natural disasters (IV = independent variable in the form of flooding).Natural disasters from three continents are displayed and bio-sensory data was collected to measure participants' biological responses to the video clips shown.The decision-making (DV) following these displayed events (IV) is mediated by possible cognitive biases present during the decision-making process (here how personal or public funding is distributed in a simulation).Based on these situations evaluated merely centered around media coverage, subjects make decisions on relief funding, similar to how UN decision-makers are appropriating emergency response funds.Ultimately, the study shows that the personal impact perceived by individuals and their respective nations through natural disasters or crises is moderated by cognitive bias.Methodology (what was done, how was it done) and validation: The study is based on a between-subject design of three groups of participants including subjects from Asia, Africa, and Europe.Utilizing different biosensors (eye tracking, facial expression analysis, and galvanic skin responses), biodata visualizations and statistics are collected and their correlation to decision-making was examined.Subjects are composed of a convenience sample of tertiary education students in southern Bavaria, aged 18-35 years.Validation takes place based on standard quality criteria measures.Major results: Decision-making is based on a perceived needs basis (social security, economy, and support system in the country) and mediated through cognitive biases based on similarity to own cultural, ethnic, and geographical background.Conclusion: Research shows that cognitive bias is omnipresent with an ethnocentric focus on decision-making.

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