Four biases in interface design interactions

Abstract

In a time when fake news has captured the attention of the broader public, and claims of algorithmic manipulation make us question everyday sources of information, it is essential that we unpack the ways our thinking and perception interacts with search engine results. Cognitive biases can be created from the common heuristics a person applies to process new information about a topic. These biases can contribute to difficulties in inferential thinking. In this paper, we focus on four potential sources of bias rooted in cognitive psychology that relate to information presentation in search, and unpack how they may affect the way people express their nascent understanding of a topic. Our study used a population-based experiment with 60 undergraduates at a large research university. Our findings suggest that the design of a search interface may cause a user to misapply heuristics, which can be linked to these cognitive biases. We conclude with recommendations for interface designers as well as those who mediate search practices in educational settings.