Why the Brain Tends to Deceive Us and How to Deal with It

Why the Brain Deceives Us

We would like to believe that we consciously draw conclusions, make judgments, and take decisions. But the problem is that there is an overwhelming amount of information around us, and sometimes our brain is forced to "cut corners" when processing it. This happens because:

• The brain strives to conserve our resources and protect us from overload. Mental activity requires enormous energy, so the brain tries to allocate resources only to analyzing new, important, and complex tasks. For repetitive everyday situations, it creates reaction templates that have proven effective. This allows us to operate "on autopilot," continuing to use familiar objects or follow habitual routes even if better options exist.
• The brain must ensure our survival and safety. This is another reason why we have so many automatic reactions—they speed up decision-making and actions in situations the brain perceives as threatening. In the distant past, when our ancestors were prey for saber-toothed tigers, reaction speed literally determined their survival. This same drive for safety leads us to automatically choose a juice brand we’ve bought before or one that’s heavily advertised, as it feels more reliable.
• The brain wants our existence to be comfortable. This is partly why false memories occur—sometimes it’s easier for us to unconsciously tweak our own memories than to endure regret, nightmares, or depression. "Abracadabra!"—and suddenly we construct a happy childhood from photos, distancing ourselves from painful recollections.
• The brain helps us adapt to society. Sometimes, to fit in better and avoid conflicts, we deceive ourselves—for example, by rationalizing others' actions or ignoring certain information.

How the Brain Distorts Our Reality, Why It’s Dangerous, and What to Do About It

As you can see, in its attempt to make the world around us understandable, safe, predictable, and comfortable, the brain repeatedly distorts our perception and judgments, filling in gaps in reality and trapping us in mental pitfalls. These traps are commonly called cognitive biases, and there are many of them. For example:

We see only what we want to see, shaping reality to fit our expectations. "I knew it—cats are smarter than dogs!" say cat lovers, finding yet another article that confirms their bias. Meanwhile, they ignore or dismiss nearby material that contradicts their view. This subjective filtering of information is a significant cognitive bias that can seriously complicate our lives. For instance, it’s often hard for us to admit when our viewpoint is wrong.

To counter this distortion, develop logical and critical thinking, and get into the habit of analyzing information. Frequently ask yourself, "Am I right?" This will help you make more balanced, objective decisions.

We tend to attribute certain qualities to others. If someone bumps into us and doesn’t apologize, we instantly label them as "rude," "mean," or "bad," without trying to understand the reasons for their behavior. This is another way the brain simplifies the world for us: "They acted that way because they’re rude and ill-mannered—end of story." Yet, if we do the same thing, we justify it with external circumstances: "I was in a hurry," "Someone pushed me first," "It wasn’t a big deal."

To avoid such judgment errors, practice putting yourself in others' shoes and try to understand their motives.

We often make judgments and decisions based on stereotypes, labels, or past experiences. "Glasses mean smart," "smiling means kind," "white coat means doctor," "expensive means better," "familiar means safe," etc. This is another cognitive bias that can cost us dearly—for example, if we overpay for a brand name rather than quality, or trust a charming, confident liar.

While simplified judgments are often accurate (hence their automatic use), if a lot depends on your assessment or decision, always ask yourself: Have I fully understood the situation? Is my judgment of this person objective? Am I choosing the best option consciously, or just going with habit?

We might miss important changes by focusing on something else. As the fable goes: "I didn’t even notice the elephant"—while engrossed in bugs at the museum, a visitor missed its main exhibit. By focusing only on what seems important at the moment, we risk overlooking significant details or even fundamental changes around us.

To combat this, practice mindfulness—try to broaden your perspective, pay closer attention to your surroundings, notice details, and regularly ask yourself what has changed.

We sometimes "adjust" our memories. Our memory isn’t a video recording; it’s highly malleable. We tend to reconstruct, fill in, or invent details we don’t remember, which is why two people can recall the same event very differently. If someone tells us a story from our distant childhood, we might "remember" it even if it never happened. This isn’t always harmless—for instance, unconsciously false witness testimony can ruin an innocent person’s life. It can also make us victims of gaslighting if a manipulator tries to plant false memories.

To avoid this, don’t blindly trust your memory. Verify important facts using sources, records, photos, or trusted friends to confirm whether your version of events is accurate.

The brain throws many more distortions our way:

• We tend to see things in black and white, as it’s simpler.
• We often focus on the negative and assume the worst, driven by self-preservation.
• Sometimes we assume we know what others are thinking, filling gaps with our own assumptions and upsetting ourselves over imagined slights.
• We might blame ourselves for things beyond our control, due to stereotypes or cultural norms.
• We may overestimate or underestimate our knowledge and skills, due to inexperience or impostor syndrome.
• Occasionally, we ignore warning signs, convincing ourselves "everything’s fine" to maintain psychological comfort. And so on.

To see the world as it truly is, gather accurate information, understand events clearly, and make informed decisions based on facts, consider the following expert recommendations:

• Learn to recognize cognitive biases, notice automatic thoughts, involuntary images, emotional shifts, and track your erroneous decisions and their causes (e.g., reluctance to think deeply, emotional reactions). Keeping a journal can help.
• Strive for objectivity even when it’s uncomfortable, such as admitting you’re wrong.
• Before judging someone, put yourself in their shoes and try to understand or justify their actions.
• Support intuitive decisions with facts, pay attention to details, verify your memories, and never stop learning to arm yourself with new knowledge.

None of us are immune to cognitive biases—they’re part of our nature, the brain’s way of simplifying life, protecting us, and speeding up our thinking. The key is to remember that we often interpret and narrate reality to ourselves, and to strive to be objective and honest storytellers.