Inexplicable Influences #003 - Some birds are not meant to be caged

If you read my post on Bias Binge #6 you know I promised a more detailed look at Shawshank Redemption and what it taught us about the human mind and its working. 

Now we already saw the Status Quo Bias explained in the afore mentioned post. Here are five other key scenes and how they demonstrate cognitive biases that determine the way human's act.

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT. SOME CLIPS MAY HAVE DISTURBING CONTENT. VIEW AT YOUR DISCRETION. NOT FOR KIDS. 

#5 Social proof

A psychological phenomenon where people reference the behaviour of others to guide their own behaviour. Now this may also come across as herd mentality but the nuance difference is in the pursuit of approval for the task they are are about to undertake. Let us see this clip and dwell upon the concept in light of it.

It is quite apparent here that going to an inmate for tax advise may not always be acceptable. But as more and more people saw the benefit of it slowly but surely the numbers began to swell. Why? Because in the numbers came social proof that it was okay to do this.

In everyday life too we see this happening, sometimes it is experts who give the social proof like a doctor taking the COVID vaccine. Sometimes celebrities and at other times friends and colleagues. Influencers often are a great addition to marketing campaigns as they help in providing social proof especially when there is hesitance in purchasing a particular product or service.

#4 Out-group Bias

Members of the outgroup are viewed as less similar and, as a result we may have biases against them. Thus, the outgroup bias includes negative categorizations, feelings, or ideas about people who are not part of our ingroup.

In the above clip it can be seen at two levels - first when the inmates as a group see the new entrants as a group not sought enough to handle the rigours of a life in jail. And the second is when Red sees Andy who is everything different from the former on race, background, education, occupation (and hence from an out-group) as the one who will be the first two breakdown in prison. 

There could be no better example than this movie to also bring out that this is indeed nothing more than a bias and Andy was nothing like what Red imagined him to be.

#3 Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favour, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs. Now the clip I have for you may not be the perfect context within which to see this bias as we may see it more in basic day to day functioning. However the demonstration is quite perfect to explain the bias. Take a look at the clip.

Now Andy was innocent of the crime and had anyone wanted to prove it, it may have been a possibility. However, so convinced was everyone of his guilt that every piece of evidence was just used to support that belief. 

We may not be faced with such extreme situations but nonetheless the Confirmation Bias works pretty much in the same manner.

#2 Gambler’s Fallacy

The Gambler's Fallacy occurs when an individual erroneously believes that a certain random event is less likely or more likely to happen based on the outcome of a previous event or series of events.

What we see in the above clip is Red giving his best over and over again at the parole hearing. But in the last instance he is shown to almost be certain of a rejection and hence is pushed to speak frankly and openly. Surely, there are more biases at play there that ultimately get him the approval. But his behaviour is provoked by the Gambler's Fallacy.

#1 Priming

This bias occurs when an individual's exposure to a certain stimulus influences his or her response to a subsequent stimulus, without any awareness of the connection.

Now what you see above is only the priming effect not the subsequent stimulus. Andy makes the warden see his interest in the Bible knowing very well that the warden believes in two things of his own submission, discipline and the Bible. Now we know that as the movie progresses Andy manages to gain the warden's trust enough to be able to not only escape prison but also get enough money to start off a good life. It is quite possible that without the initial priming the belief in Andy would not have followed.

In everyday life priming may often be unintentional, but the principle remains the same.

I do hope you enjoy this as I certainly did love looking at one of my favourite movies through the lens of behavioural biases.