Implicit and explicit training in the mitigation of cognitive bias through the use of a serious game

Abstract

a b s t r a c tHeuristics can interfere with information processing and hinder decision-making when more systematic processes that might lead to better decisions are ignored. Based on the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) of information processing, a serious training game (called MACBETH) was designed to address and mitigate cognitive biases that interfere with the analysis of evidence and the generation of hypotheses. Two biases are the focus of this paper-fundamental attribution error and confirmation bias. The efficacy of the serious game on knowledge and mitigation of biases was examined using an experiment in which participants (N = 703) either played the MACBETH game or watched an instructional video about the biases. Results demonstrate the game to be more effective than the video at mitigating cognitive biases when explicit training methods are combined with repetitive play. Moreover, explicit instruction within the game provided greater familiarity and knowledge of the biases relative to implicit instruction. Suggestions for game development for purposes of enhancing cognitive processing and bias mitigation based on the MACBETH game design are discussed.

Cognitive Bias in Clinical Medicine

“…This proved superior to traditional teaching and an instructional video in helping participants avoid new cognitive bias. 75 Such a fi ctionalised interview seems highly transferable to clinical medicine, and certainly there is an appetite among medical students for the use of games in education. 76 Thus development of 'serious games' of this nature is becoming an active fi eld of research, which may have future roles in medical training and bias modifi cation.…”

Intelligence analysts’ training through serious games: The Leila project

“…Their popularity as a training tool stems from their capability to simulate real-world situations and foster the acquisition of skills otherwise difficult to develop. Compared to more traditional forms of learning, game-based learning is considered more suitable to provide dynamic, active and implicit learning modes [17]. In particular, gameplay has become highly valued as an educational tool for the possibility of teaching through experiential and declarative learning, by allowing players to fail and to try again [18].…”

“…The game contains a specific section dedicated to mitigating the fundamental attribution error bias, in which the player must review past case files and make threat assessments on profiles of real-life individuals. As a de-biasing mechanism, the game encourages the player to rely on situational -as opposed to dispositional -cues by only allowing correct answers informed by at least 3 situational cues to be rewarded with the possibility of unlocking additional intelligence and progressing with the game [17,20].…”

Exploring Failure and Engagement in a Complex Digital Training Game: A Multi-method Examination

“…We developed a digital training game called Mitigating Analyst Cognitive Bias by Eliminating Task Heuristics (MACBETH) in the strategy/simulation genre (Dunbar et al, 2013(Dunbar et al, , 2014. In the game, players are immersed in a fictional environment where they gather and assess intelligence data in an attempt to thwart simulated terrorist threats around the world.…”