Choice-supportive bias

Recall biases biases

Choice-supportive bias is when we remember our past choices as better than they were. We highlight the positives of what we chose and the negatives of what we rejected, so our decisions look wiser in hindsight. That can reduce regret but also blind us to real mistakes and to learning from them.

Examples

  • You remember the job you took as clearly the right call and the one you turned down as flawed, even though at the time the choice was close.

  • You recall the holiday destination you picked as having been perfect and the one you didn't choose as "probably would have been disappointing."

  • After buying a house, you remember the search as having made your choice obviously the best, and downplay the attractions of the places you didn't buy.

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