Anchoring Effect: Where Your Brain Goes Wrong

Also known as the "Affect Heuristic," the anchoring effect is a cognitive bias where your brain uses the first piece of information it receives as a reference point for all other information. It's like trying to compare the taste of a fine wine to a cheap bottle from the gas station.

See Also: Illusory Telemetry Practice: Anchor Yourself to Reality

It's not just about wine; it's about anything. Prices, temperatures, sizes, and even the number of times you've had a good haircut. Your brain uses the first piece of information it receives to make all other decisions.

First Impressions: The Anchoring Effect's Evil Cousin Overfitting the Anchor: When You're Too Close to Home