1 Psychology and human development1.6 Thought and higher cortical functions
1.6.3 Recency, fallacies and cognitive consistency
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Written by Resident Doctor Committee · Published
New in the 2027 syllabus
The College added this topic for exams from January 2027.
How we weigh evidence
Recency bias means giving too much weight to the latest information, even when earlier evidence is as informative or more so.
Confirmation bias means picking out evidence that supports an existing belief. Recency bias is about when information appeared, not whether it agrees with that belief.
Errors in argument
Fallacy | What goes wrong |
|---|---|
Affirming the consequent | Taking a consequence as proof of the cause proposed for it |
Ad hominem | Attacking the person instead of dealing with their argument |
False dichotomy | Presenting two options as the only ones when others exist |
Circular reasoning | Building the conclusion into the premise that is meant to support it |
Cognitive consistency and dissonance
Cognitive consistency is when beliefs, attitudes and behaviour fit together. When they do not, people may revise them or defend them with justifications.
Cognitive dissonance is the uncomfortable state of holding conflicting cognitions (thoughts, beliefs or attitudes). It arises especially when behaviour clashes with a belief the person values.
Reducing dissonance: a person can change their behaviour, change the belief or add a justification. So the discomfort does not guarantee more accurate reasoning.