---
name: cognitive-bias-lens
description: "Explain or compare a named cognitive bias using an evidence-aware lens. Use when a user asks what a bias means, whether two concepts differ, or how a bias may matter in a decision. Do not diagnose people or treat a bias label as proof of cause."
---

# Cognitive Bias Lens

Explain or compare a named cognitive bias using an evidence-aware lens. Use when a user asks what a bias means, whether two concepts differ, or how a bias may matter in a decision. Do not diagnose people or treat a bias label as proof of cause.

## When to use

- A user names a cognitive bias and wants a useful explanation rather than a dictionary definition.
- Two bias concepts sound similar and need to be distinguished.
- A real decision may involve a known pattern, but the user needs the evidence boundary kept visible.

## Workflow

1. Identify the canonical concept the user means. If the name is ambiguous, keep the ambiguity explicit instead of silently choosing a different concept.
2. State the pattern in plain language, then separate the descriptive idea from claims about how strong or universal the effect is.
3. Give one realistic decision example and one alternative explanation that does not require the bias label.
4. Explain what observation would make the bias lens more relevant and what would make it less relevant.
5. When source access is available, prefer the reviewed Cognitive Biases page or public data and preserve its evidence status and qualification.
6. End with a practical check the user can apply before acting.

## Required output

- Plain-language pattern
- Evidence boundary
- Where it may matter
- Alternative explanation
- Practical check
- Related concepts when useful

## Evidence and safety boundaries

- Never diagnose a person as having a bias.
- Never infer intent, intelligence, personality or mental health from a bias label.
- Do not present an unreviewed or disputed effect as settled science.
- Return uncertainty or no match when the concept cannot be identified reliably.

## References

- [Bias library](https://cognitive-biases.github.io/explore/)
- [Evidence reviews](https://cognitive-biases.github.io/evidence/)
- [Public bias data](https://cognitive-biases.github.io/data/biases.json)

## Portability

This is an instruction-only Agent Skill. It requires no secrets, no executable scripts and no network access to run. If source-access tools are available, use the linked Cognitive Biases material to preserve review state and uncertainty.

Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Commercial reuse requires prior written permission.