What You See Is All There Is (WYSIATI bias)
We rely on what we know and overlook what we don’t.
When was the last time you jumped to a conclusion?
Have you ever realized your first impression was wrong?
How often do you rethink a snap decision?
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The WYSIATI (What You See Is All There Is) bias is our tendency to make judgments and decisions based only on available information, while ignoring what is missing.
Our intuitive mind treats the information it has as if it is the only information available, enabling quick thinking. From this limited information, it constructs the most coherent story it can. The less information there is, the easier it is to form a coherent story. Accuracy or completeness is not required because confidence depends only on coherence. Stories built from very different amounts or qualities of evidence can feel equally convincing. As a result, our understanding of the world is often based on a small, unrepresentative set of information.
We often form impressions of people within a second of meeting them, judging whether they are friendly, honest, or dominant. These judgments rely on very limited information, mostly facial features or movements.
When WYSIATI goes wrong
Most of the time, the WYSIATI mechanism works efficiently, constructing stories that closely match reality and guide sensible actions. However, it can lead to adverse outcomes if critical factors are overlooked.
👉 Financial bubbles happen when investors see certain assets, like tech stocks, rising steadily. This encourages more investment, which pushes prices even higher and creates a bubble. When the reasons behind the inflated value, such as speculation, become clear, the bubble bursts. Investors who relied on good news, ignored risks, and followed the crowd often face big losses.
👉 Imagine a patient showing flu-like symptoms. Based on the usual signs and recent flu outbreaks, a doctor diagnoses the flu and starts treatment. But the patient doesn’t get better. A closer look reveals a rarer, more serious condition with similar symptoms. The misdiagnosis and delayed treatment increase suffering and the risk of complications.
👉 Imagine police zeroing in on a suspect early because circumstantial evidence looks convincing. They focus on building a case, ignoring other leads, witness inconsistencies, and alternative suspects. Sometimes evidence is skewed to fit the narrative. This tunnel vision can lead to wrongful convictions while the real perpetrator gets away. Real-life examples show just how dangerous this bias can be.
👉 We often compare ourselves to people who seem richer, more successful, or happier. On social media, we see smiling faces, sunny vacations, and perfect moments. We forget that we don’t see their struggles, insecurities, or challenges. Comparing their curated life to our real one can make us feel inadequate. If we knew the full picture, we might not even want to trade places.
How to reduce the adverse impact of WYSIATI bias
Biases can trip us up, but slowing down can save us when the stakes are high. Spot decisions that really matter and pause before jumping to conclusions. Let your analytical mind take over, look for missing information, and form a more thoughtful opinion. If WYSIATI could cause problems for you or others, the techniques below will help.
⚒️ Identify overlooked information
Make a conscious effort to spot what might be missing, especially details that aren’t obvious. Tools like the possibility grid can highlight important gaps. Ask people with different experiences or expertise for input to broaden your view and uncover blind spots.
For more, see What crucial details are you overlooking?
⚒️ Seek alternative perspectives
Deliberately explore other perspectives, explanations, or solutions, even if they challenge your initial intuitions. Changing how you see a situation can change everything: your feelings, your actions, and the direction you take. Talk with people who see things differently to widen your view.
For more, see What else could this mean to you?
⚒️ Question your conclusions
Our conclusions are often based on limited information and faulty cause-and-effect stories. To avoid mistakes, check the evidence, test your assumptions, challenge first impressions, and think carefully about causation before you decide.
For more, see Are you jumping to conclusions?
⚒️ Challenge your beliefs and assumptions
Examine beliefs and assumptions, whether obvious or hidden. Are they grounded in solid evidence or in preconceived ideas? Questioning them can reveal blind spots, prevent errors, and give you a clearer view.
For more, see
🔗 Look for what proves you wrong
🔗 What might you be wrong about?
🔗 How do you know this is true?
🔗 Question your unhelpful thoughts: Loving What Is
By following these steps, you can cut the influence of WYSIATI and improve the quality of your decisions by bringing more critical factors and perspectives into view.
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We naturally focus on the information in front of us and overlook what’s missing. This shortcut saves time but can backfire when key details are ignored. The best safeguard is to slow down, seek alternative views, and make sure the picture is complete before deciding.
References
Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman
