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The Not So Rational Programmer by Laura Eck Cognitive biases are heuristics that the brain uses to process information and quickly come up with decisions. They are generally pretty useful, but they aren’t perfect processes and can often lead to suboptimal decisions or behaviors. This talk will help you to recognize their patterns in your thinking and behavior and (since we unfortunately can’t quite de-bug our own brains yet) to monkey-patch them - in order to become a more efficient, more cooperative and ultimately more successful developer.
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In her talk titled "The Not So Rational Programmer" presented at RubyConf 2015, Laura Eck explores how cognitive biases affect programmers' decision-making processes. Eck likens the human brain to an outdated legacy system, highlighting its strengths and limitations in processing information. The core theme is the recognition of cognitive biases—mental shortcuts that can lead to suboptimal decisions—and how understanding these biases can enhance a developer's effectiveness and collaboration. Key points discussed include: - **Cognitive Biases Defined**: Eck explains that cognitive biases are heuristics our brains use to process information rapidly, which, while useful, can lead to poor decisions. - **Understanding Brains as Legacy Systems**: The speaker draws a parallel between human brains and outdated systems, suggesting that, like software, our cognitive processing has flaws and lacks proper debugging tools. - **Importance of Rationality in Programming**: Though programmers often believe themselves to be more rational due to their work with machines, Eck emphasizes that they are still subject to human biases. - **Examples of Cognitive Biases**: - **Confirmation Bias**: The tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms existing beliefs, often ignoring contradictory evidence. - **Mere Exposure Effect**: A preference for familiar items over unfamiliar ones, which can lead to poor decision-making based on comfort rather than objective analysis. - **False Consensus Effect**: The assumption that others share the same opinions or beliefs, which can result in communication issues within teams. - **Groupthink**: A phenomenon where the desire for harmony in a group leads to a lack of critical thinking, potentially stifling innovation and dissenting views. - **Strategies to Mitigate Biases**: Eck suggests strategies for reducing the influence of bias in decision-making, such as challenging personal opinions, establishing objective criteria for evaluations, and encouraging open communication in teams. Eck concludes her talk by urging attendees to embrace the complexities of cognitive biases without attempting to eliminate them. By recognizing and understanding their biases, programmers can improve their teamwork and decision-making skills, ultimately leading to greater success in their development careers. The key takeaway is the importance of being open to changing one’s opinions in response to new information, as this is a mark of growth and adaptability in the field of programming.
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