The Intuitive Trap: Understanding Cognitive Bias in the Digital Age

This article presents a philosophical perspective on the relationship between critical thinking and new media, employing dual-process theories to explore the cognitive mechanisms involved. Dual-process theories, which distinguish between fast, intuitive thinking and slower, analytical reasoning, pro...

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Main Author: Cansu Akoglan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University 2024-12-01
Series:Yeni Medya
Subjects:
Online Access:https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4199451
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author Cansu Akoglan
author_facet Cansu Akoglan
author_sort Cansu Akoglan
collection DOAJ
description This article presents a philosophical perspective on the relationship between critical thinking and new media, employing dual-process theories to explore the cognitive mechanisms involved. Dual-process theories, which distinguish between fast, intuitive thinking and slower, analytical reasoning, provide a valuable framework for understanding how individuals engage with the overwhelming flow of information in digital environments. The paper argues that while critical thinking is traditionally seen as an analytical activity, more is needed in the context of new media. The fast-paced, heuristic-driven nature of digital content - ranging from rapidly evolving news feeds to algorithm-driven information ecosystems - means that intuitive processes often dominate user engagement, leading to cognitive biases. Therefore, this work advocates for a holistic approach that balances the need for criticality in new media with an understanding of both intuitive and analytical thinking. By offering a novel integration of dual-process theories with media literacy frameworks, this study demonstrates how a comprehensive awareness of cognitive mechanisms can lead to more effective critical engagement with digital content. The findings underscore the importance of a dual approach in fostering both reflective and adaptive new media literacy, and the results highlight the limitations of purely analytical methods while emphasizing the value of heuristic awareness in navigating complex new media environments.
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spelling doaj-art-ac315b2fa2564d59ae0f334aa0a9153c2025-02-06T09:50:55ZengAnkara Haci Bayram Veli UniversityYeni Medya2587-12852024-12-011734536410.55609/yenimedya.15456231643The Intuitive Trap: Understanding Cognitive Bias in the Digital AgeCansu Akoglan0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4111-3613Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli ÜniversitesiThis article presents a philosophical perspective on the relationship between critical thinking and new media, employing dual-process theories to explore the cognitive mechanisms involved. Dual-process theories, which distinguish between fast, intuitive thinking and slower, analytical reasoning, provide a valuable framework for understanding how individuals engage with the overwhelming flow of information in digital environments. The paper argues that while critical thinking is traditionally seen as an analytical activity, more is needed in the context of new media. The fast-paced, heuristic-driven nature of digital content - ranging from rapidly evolving news feeds to algorithm-driven information ecosystems - means that intuitive processes often dominate user engagement, leading to cognitive biases. Therefore, this work advocates for a holistic approach that balances the need for criticality in new media with an understanding of both intuitive and analytical thinking. By offering a novel integration of dual-process theories with media literacy frameworks, this study demonstrates how a comprehensive awareness of cognitive mechanisms can lead to more effective critical engagement with digital content. The findings underscore the importance of a dual approach in fostering both reflective and adaptive new media literacy, and the results highlight the limitations of purely analytical methods while emphasizing the value of heuristic awareness in navigating complex new media environments.https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4199451media literacycognitive biasesmetacognitionphilosophy of cognitioncritical thinkingmedya okuryazarlığıbilişsel yanlılıklarmetabilişbiliş felsefesieleştirel düşünme
spellingShingle Cansu Akoglan
The Intuitive Trap: Understanding Cognitive Bias in the Digital Age
Yeni Medya
media literacy
cognitive biases
metacognition
philosophy of cognition
critical thinking
medya okuryazarlığı
bilişsel yanlılıklar
metabiliş
biliş felsefesi
eleştirel düşünme
title The Intuitive Trap: Understanding Cognitive Bias in the Digital Age
title_full The Intuitive Trap: Understanding Cognitive Bias in the Digital Age
title_fullStr The Intuitive Trap: Understanding Cognitive Bias in the Digital Age
title_full_unstemmed The Intuitive Trap: Understanding Cognitive Bias in the Digital Age
title_short The Intuitive Trap: Understanding Cognitive Bias in the Digital Age
title_sort intuitive trap understanding cognitive bias in the digital age
topic media literacy
cognitive biases
metacognition
philosophy of cognition
critical thinking
medya okuryazarlığı
bilişsel yanlılıklar
metabiliş
biliş felsefesi
eleştirel düşünme
url https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4199451
work_keys_str_mv AT cansuakoglan theintuitivetrapunderstandingcognitivebiasinthedigitalage
AT cansuakoglan intuitivetrapunderstandingcognitivebiasinthedigitalage