<p>This question is not answerable without having a measure of what the most common day-to-day scenarios are. However, I can try a guess: since most people interact in a public, anonymous setting on a daily basis, I would think the fundamental attribution error is most probable. This is especially true while driving -- "did that idiot just cut me off?!"</p>

<p>However, my estimation of fundamental attribution error as the most common cognitive bias may itself be an instance of availability heuristic.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-14T09:06:48.243Z
2013-03-14T09:06:48.243Z
lioil
<p>I'm an amateur student of cognitive biases and psychological traps and have been reading some of the work of Kahneman, Tversky, Gilovich et al. along with more popular books like Cialdini's "Influence."  Has any work has been done on which of the cognitive biases/shortcomings are the most prevalent and widespread?  </p>

<p>In layman's terms, I'm trying to answer the question: which behavioral traps are the most common?  I'm aware that this is a loaded question in that different sociocultural influences can have a huge impact on what is "common".
Any pointers much appreciated!  Thanks.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-12T02:57:43.227Z
A full reference and a link would be helpful to those looking for the book.  I suspect you're talking about http://www.amazon.com/Incognito-Secret-Lives-Brain-ebook/dp/B004J4WK9W/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1363056974&sr=8-5&keywords=david+eagleman but I don't know.
Chuck Sherrington
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-29T15:29:49.723Z
Although it doesn't give the most common ones, [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases) is a list of multiple cognitive biases in different areas.
BenCole
<cognitive-psychology><bias>
Most common cognitive biases?
Ramesh
# Most common cognitive biases?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-03-11)

I'm an amateur student of cognitive biases and psychological traps and have been reading some of the work of Kahneman, Tversky, Gilovich et al. along with more popular books like Cialdini's "Influence." Has any work has been done on which of the cognitive biases/shortcomings are the most prevalent and widespread?

In layman's terms, I'm trying to answer the question: which behavioral traps are the most common? I'm aware that this is a loaded question in that different sociocultural influences can have a huge impact on what is "common".
Any pointers much appreciated! Thanks.

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, bias

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: A full reference and a link would be helpful to those looking for the book.  I suspect you're talking about http://www.amazon.com/Incognito-Secret-Lives-Brain-ebook/dp/B004J4WK9W/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1363056974&sr=8-5&keywords=david+eagleman but I don't know.  
> **username_2**: Although it doesn't give the most common ones, [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases) is a list of multiple cognitive biases in different areas.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-03-14. Score: 2

This question is not answerable without having a measure of what the most common day-to-day scenarios are. However, I can try a guess: since most people interact in a public, anonymous setting on a daily basis, I would think the fundamental attribution error is most probable. This is especially true while driving -- "did that idiot just cut me off?!"

However, my estimation of fundamental attribution error as the most common cognitive bias may itself be an instance of availability heuristic.


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