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Bias in Cybersecurity

Cognitive vs Motivational

Cognitive is unconcious factors that can affect your beliefs.

Motivational bias is a "filter" that changes what you say versus what you actually believe.

Sub-types

Nonverbal bias

Ignoring your own concerns to go with the larger group.

Affinity bias

Bias towards or against someone because of some affiliation, eg. same school, same team.

Halo/horns

When one attribute of a person takes presidence over others in either a positive or negative manner.

Similarity bias

We prefer to surround ourselves with people like us.

Contrast Effect

Comparing to what/who came before.

Attribution bias

We tend to attribute our failures to other people who were part of a task, rather than ourselves.

When it comes to other people, this is typically reversed.

Confirmation bias

Looking for reasons to confirm or deny your own suspicions, even if they are already unfounded.

Conformity bias

Evaluation based on body language, appearence, style of dress, etc.