The Turkey Illusion is a cognitive bias that is characterized by the tendency of individuals to focus on the most recent events or information, while ignoring the broader context of the situation. This bias can lead to errors in judgment and decision-making, as it can cause individuals to overlook important information and fail to consider the long-term implications of their actions. One of the key factors that contributes to the Turkey Illusion is the human brain's limited capacity to process information. When faced with a complex situation, individuals often rely on mental shortcuts and heuristics to simplify the information and make it more manageable. However, this can lead to oversimplification and a failure to consider the full context of the situation. The Turkey Illusion is particularly prevalent in the media and political contexts, where news cycles move quickly and individuals are bombarded with a constant stream of information. In these contexts, individuals may be more likely to focus on the most recent news or events, while disregarding the broader perspective and implications of the situation. To avoid falling prey to the Turkey Illusion, it is important to take a step back and consider the full context of a situation. This may involve gathering additional information, seeking out diverse perspectives, and thinking critically about the long-term implications of different courses of action.
cognitive bias, decision-making, mental shortcuts, heuristics, media, politics, information processing, context, critical thinking
CITATION : "Thomas Harris. 'Turkey Illusion.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=356406 (Accessed on June 06, 2025)"
The Turkey Illusion is a cognitive bias which refers to the tendency of people to view a complex situation in terms of its most recent element, without taking into account the full context of the situation. This bias is often seen in political, media, or economic contexts, when people focus on the most recent news or events, while disregarding the broader perspective and implications of the situation. This phenomenon can lead to significant errors in judgement when individuals lack the necessary information to make an informed decision. In order to avoid the Turkey Illusion, it is important to consider the full context of a situation and to look at the big picture by considering the implications of each event and its connectedness to the overarching situation.
Turkey Illusion, Cognitive Biases, Logical Fallacies, Complex Situation.
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