Which cognitive bias reflects the impact of our most recent behaviors on judgments of our character?

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Prepare for the MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Recency bias refers to the tendency to weigh recent events or behaviors more heavily than earlier ones when evaluating someone's character or making decisions. This cognitive bias suggests that our judgments can be skewed by the most immediate information available to us. For example, if someone has recently behaved positively, we might unfairly conclude that they are a generally good person based on those recent actions, without taking into account their past behaviors.

In the context of behavioral evaluations, recency bias highlights how individuals can be influenced by the last impression made. It emphasizes the cognitive tendency to prioritize the most recent input, which can lead to distorted perceptions of someone's overall character. Recognizing recency bias is important in order to develop a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of a person's traits over time, rather than relying on the latest observation alone.