Final answer:
Marcie studied how cognitive biases like confirmation bias and the false consensus effect impact judgments in social psychology. Reflecting on personal experiences involving these biases can lead to critical thinking and better future decisions. Understanding and mitigating biases contributes to more objective evaluations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marcie was reading research about the mental processes we use to form judgments and draw conclusions about the characteristics and motives of others. This research area fits under the umbrella of Social Psychology, a field that studies how individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the social context. Social psychologists investigate how cognitive biases like confirmation bias and the false consensus effect impact our interactions both with information and with other people.
Cognitive bias can lead individuals to make decisions that seem rational at the time but are later recognized as irrational. For example, confirmation bias may cause someone to overlook critical information that contradicts their preexisting beliefs, leading to skewed judgments. Upon reflecting on an incident influenced by such biases, one might utilize critical thinking and metacognition to assess what might have been different had the bias not affected the decision-making process. The consequences of behaving differently could vary significantly, ranging from improved relationships to better-informed decision-making.
In conclusion, reflecting on experiences wherein cognitive bias played a role is enlightening and can contribute to personal development. Understanding the mechanisms of these biases allows for the recognition and mitigation of their effects in the future, contributing to more objective evaluations and decisions.