Why We Fall for the Trap: Cognitive Biases at Play
Several cognitive biases contribute to our susceptibility to such riddles:
Anchoring Bias: This occurs when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information we encounter (in this case, the animals and their legs). This initial focus can prevent us from considering other possibilities, such as the question’s true intent.
Confirmation Bias: Once we start down the path of counting animal legs, we tend to seek out information that supports this approach, ignoring any hints that might lead us to reconsider the question.
Overthinking: Our brains often overcomplicate simple questions, especially when we expect a challenge. This tendency to overanalyze can blind us to the straightforward answer.
