Cognitive Bias Identifier¶
Learning Objective¶
Quiz-based sim presenting historical scenarios where students identify which cognitive bias is at work — confirmation bias, hindsight bias, availability heuristic, in-group favoritism, or presentism.
- Bloom Level: Apply (L3) — Identify
- Library: p5.js | Chapter: 1 — Historical Methods
Interactive Sim¶
About This MicroSim¶
Eight shuffled historical scenarios prompt students to identify the cognitive bias at work. Immediate specific feedback explains why the correct bias applies to each scenario — feedback includes a one-sentence explanation, not just a correct/incorrect indicator. The score tracker reinforces the cumulative nature of the practice.
Embed This MicroSim¶
<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/us-history/sims/cognitive-bias-identifier/main.html" height="502px" width="100%" scrolling="no"></iframe>
Lesson Plan¶
Duration: 10–15 minutes | Grade: High School | Subject: U.S. History / Historical Methods
Before: Teach the five bias definitions using a non-historical example for each.
During: Students work through scenarios independently, writing a brief justification before clicking Submit.
After: Review the 2–3 scenarios that generated the most wrong answers as a class. Discuss why those biases are harder to spot.
Extension: Students bring in a current-events article and identify one bias present in its framing.
References¶
- Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow (2011) — Systems 1 and 2 thinking, availability heuristic, hindsight bias
- Peter Novick, That Noble Dream: The 'Objectivity Question' and the American Historical Profession (1988)
- Jonathan Haidt, The Righteous Mind (2012) — In-group moral reasoning and confirmation bias