The Mind's Lie: Games-based Learning for Critical Thinking

Abstract

Cognitive bias is a highly relevant problem for analysts. intelligence community has recently addressed these biases through initiatives to more effectively train analysts using a games-based approach. This paper presents quantitative data analysis and anecdotal evidence across multiple venues substantiating a tabletop game approach to cognitive bias training for working intelligence analysts. Overall, the study found a substantial increase in bias identification across four biases (confirmation bias, representativeness bias, projection bias, and bias blind spot) after employing a games-based approach to training, but a reduction in bias identification for anchoring bias and fundamental attribution error. Analytic conclusions in this paper regarding the approach to the cognitive bias question, pedagogical strategies for training, the efficacy of games-based learning, the effectiveness of The Mind's Lie as a viable training tool, and the performance of all these strategies between different groups are presented to inform future interdisciplinary work at the intersection of pedagogy, intelligence analysis, and psychology.