3. Understanding Cognitive Biases

Written By Paul Magennis

Understanding cognitive biases is essential because misinformation often works by aligning with how we naturally think, rather than by presenting strong evidence. Confirmation bias leads people to accept information that reinforces what they already believe and dismiss anything that challenges it.

The availability heuristic makes vivid or emotionally charged stories—like rare or controversial MAiD cases—feel far more common than they actually are, simply because they are easier to recall. This is often used by Anti-MAiD groups when they highlight extreme or edge-case MAiD stories. They do this because they understand you will remember these rare or controversial stories because of their emotional or vivid nature.

We should be concerned about controversial MAiD cases, but the availability heuristic might make think they are more common than they really are. Combining other cognitive biases, like the illusory truth effect, can amplify their effects.

The illusory truth effect happens because familiarity feels like truth. When people hear the same claim repeatedly, it becomes easier to process, and that ease is often mistaken for accuracy. In the context of MAiD, repeated statements—like claims about lack of consent or widespread misuse—can start to feel credible even without evidence. Over time, people may forget where the claim came from, but the sense that it’s “true” remains.

In the context of MAiD, these biases can quietly shape perception, making misleading narratives seem credible without ever needing to stand up to careful scrutiny. Recognizing these patterns in our own thinking is a crucial step in slowing down, questioning initial reactions, and engaging with the evidence more deliberately.

Paul Magennis
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2. Recognizing Emotional Manipulation
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4. Recognizing “Scientific-Looking” Misinformation