What does the recency effect in cognitive bias entail?

The recency effect refers to a cognitive bias where individuals tend to give greater weight to the most recent information they have encountered when making decisions or judgments. This phenomenon suggests that the last pieces of information received are often more influential than what was learned earlier, leading to a preference for the most recent solution or data point.

In the context of decision-making, this means that when individuals are faced with multiple pieces of information, their final verdict or choice is disproportionately affected by the latest information presented. This can lead to overlooking or underestimating previous information that may also be relevant and important.

This understanding of the recency effect is essential for reliability engineering and decision-making processes, as it highlights the importance of being aware of potential biases when evaluating data or solutions. By recognizing that recent information might dominate judgment, engineers and practitioners can adopt strategies to ensure a more balanced view of all relevant data.