According to The great Danish are heuristic rules "rules of experience or wisdom and are not necessarily rationally justified or justifiable" and the research discusses e.g. "whether experience and thinking follow rules (heuristics) that are known to the user and that can be formulated unambiguously."

Often these biases prevent us from acting rationally. I always think of it as the brain running on autopilot. We simply choose a pre-programmed solution. Even if it is – rationally speaking – not the best.

Confirmation bias means e.g. that, if we are not aware of it, we will often search for information or interpret the information we have that can confirm the view we already have. And the status-quo bias that describes the human tendency to want to keep everything as it is, even if there are better alternatives.

But what can you do about it? Yes, it's basically about building an ability to recognize these biases when you experience them. Because without this self-awareness, you cannot "fight" them. One of the best ways you can do this is by practicing critical thinking.

What is critical thinking?
In the concept of "critical thinking", or in Danish; critical thinking, lies one acquired ability to "[...] be able to assess statements objectively on the basis of available material, to be able to see if it supports the statement, and one must be prepared to reconsider one's own conclusions." (King, PM and Kitchener, KS (1994). Developing Reflective Judgment. Understanding and Promoting Intellectual Growth and Critical Thinking in Adolescents and Adults. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.)

9 strategies that make you a better "critical thinker"

On www.criticalthinking.org, they have prepared nine strategies you can work with, practice and slowly implement in your everyday life, which will make you a better critical thinker. Like the people behind it the 9 strategies, says, there is nothing magical about these strategies. And none of it is indispensable, but nevertheless, there are some concrete things you can do to improve your skills as a critical thinker.

#1: Use waste time

We all waste time every day. Either in front of the TV, smartphone or in the car to and from work. Other times we waste time regretting the past or staring into space. So why not use some of that time to practice critical thinking. Some of the things you can think about are:

• When did I do poorly today?
• When was I at my best?
• What was I actually thinking about today?
• Did I allow negative thoughts to frustrate me unnecessarily?
• If I had to redo today, what would I do differently? Why?
• Did I do something that supported my long-term goals?
• Did I act in accordance with my own values?
• If I spent the next 10 years every day in the same way as today, would I have accomplished anything commensurate with the time spent?

Feel free to write down your answers somewhere so that you can be more clear about what you observe (See strategy #4). After some time you will begin to notice patterns in your thinking.

#2: A problem a day

As one of the first things you do each day, you choose a problem to work on when you have a spare moment. And consider what exactly the problem is, how can I phrase it as a question? How does it relate to my goals, purposes and what I need? Do the following:

1. Whenever possible, tackle the problems one at a time. As precisely as you can.
2. Find out what type of question you are dealing with. Consider whether or not you have control over the problem. Concentrate on problems you can control.
3. Figure out what information you need and go out and find it.
4. Thoroughly analyze and interpret the information you collect, while drawing the logical conclusions you can.
5. What options do you have? What can you do now and in the long term? What limitations do time, money and power provide?
6. Evaluate your options by considering the advantages and disadvantages of the situation you are in now.
7. Think strategically about your problem and implement the solution.
8. Then keep an eye on the effect your actions have. Be ready to quickly change your strategy, your analysis or assessment of the problem.

#3: Internalize intellectual standards

Each week, focus on one of the Universal Intellectual Standards: Clarity, Precision, Accuracy, Relevance, Depth, Breadth, Logic, Meaning, and Importance.

Eg. can you, the week you focus on clarity, try to notice when you are unclear when communicating with others. And notice when others are unclear to you.

Use these four techniques to become more clear:

1. Formulas your message clear and precise.
2. Elaborate your message in other words.
3. Give examples based on your own experiences
4. Use analogies, metaphors, pictures or diagrams to illustrate what do you mean.

#4: Keep an intellectual journal

Write down a number of journal entries each week using the following format (keep each of the numbered stages separate).

1. Situation. Describe a situation that is or was emotionally significant for you. That is that really means something to you. Focus on one situation at a time.
2. Your reaction. Describe how you reacted in the situation. Be specific and precise.
3. Analysis. Then, on the basis of what you have written, analyze exactly what happened in that situation. Go in depth.
4. Assessment. Assess the significance of your analysis. What have you learned about yourself? Would you do it differently if you had it to do over again?

#5: Reshape Your Personality

Choose an intellectual character trait – intellectual tenacity, autonomy, empathy, courage, humility, etc. – to strive to improve each month.

If you e.g. By choosing to focus on intellectual humility, you can begin to notice when you admit you are wrong. And when you refuse to admit that you are wrong, even when there is clear evidence of it. Notice when you become defensive when another person tries to point out a flaw in your work or way of thinking. Be aware of whether intellectual arrogance is preventing you from learning. Eg. when you say: “I know as much as he does. What does he intend to impose his opinion on me?” Or: "I already know everything I need to know about this subject". Only by standing by your own ignorance can you begin to do something about it.

#6: Get control of your selfishness

Selfishness is an automatic and unconscious process that lies within all of us. But you can begin to notice examples of your own selfishness by considering questions such as:

• Under what circumstances do I tend to think of myself first?
• Have I ever been irritated by little things? Did I say or do something irrational to get my way?
• Did I try to impose my will on others?
• Have I ever failed to speak my mind and then felt resentful?

Once you identify selfish thinking, you can begin to replace those selfish thoughts with more rational ones. By thinking something like:

• What would a rational person feel in this situation?
• What would a rational person do?
• How do I act compared to that?

#7: Redefine how you perceive things

All situations are defined in a certain way. That is given a certain meaning. How a situation is perceived is not only about how we feel about it, but also about how we act "in" it and what meanings it has for us. But fortunately, almost all situations can. It is, in principle, possible for all of us to use this power to become happier and live more enriching lives. Many of the negative definitions that we attribute to situations could in principle be redefined as positive situations.

Eg. you don't need to define first contact with a potential partner with "his/her reaction will determine if I'm an attractive person". You can instead define it with: "let me test whether this person is attracted to me based on the person's first reaction". The first definition means you are personally judged if the person is not interested in you. With the second, you specifically acknowledge that attraction is a subjective thing.

#8: Get in touch with your emotions

Whenever you feel a negative emotion, ask yourself: What exact Is that what is causing this feeling? If you e.g. are angry, you ask yourself what thoughts make you angry. What other ways can you think of this situation? Is it e.g. possible to see the funny or pathetic in the situation?

If you can, focus on these thoughts. Your feelings will (eventually) come to match.

#9: Analyze the influence of the group on your life

Carefully analyze what is encouraged and discouraged in the groups you are a part of. Consider in relation to all the groups you are a part of, what is an implied consensus that one "must" think. And what is forbidden to say? Every group maintains a certain level of conformity.

Most people live far too much in the image others project of them. Therefore, find out what pressure you find yourself under and consider whether you want to accept or reject the pressure from the group.

Don't expect to implement all nine strategies at once. Start with the strategy that seems most natural to you and build on when you're ready.