Misconceptions of the Past
Translation: Lísa Margrét Gunnarsdóttir
When looking back at the history of humanity, it can generally be asserted that the narrative has become somewhat distorted. Throughout history, humans have preserved and documented stories, but it’s always a challenge to ensure the reliability of the storyteller. Furthermore, the way these stories are interpreted may exhibit cognitive biases. There are several types of cognitive biases that can influence our attitudes and opinions, such as confirmation bias, availability heuristic, and so forth. However, one of the most important skills a university student can acquire is critical thinking, as it fosters curiosity and provides us with a deeper understanding of the past. One way to promote critical thinking is to recognize such cognitive biases and look beyond them.
Confirmation bias is our tendency to seek information that confirms our preconceived notions, while disregarding counterarguments. This bias is prevalent in the interpretation of historical narratives. For instance, regarding the story of Christopher Columbus, often hailed as the pioneer who discovered America, his bravery and ingenuity are highlighted, while little attention is paid to the devastating impacts of colonization on indigenous populations. Despite evidence of Columbus’ atrocities, tales of his heroism are often passed down from generation to generation. Humans tend to overlook anything that contradicts their idealized image of the hero who discovered America, demonstrating confirmation bias in their interpretation of the story.
Self-serving bias describes people’s tendency to attribute success, whether personal, collective, or otherwise, to their own abilities or efforts, while attributing mistakes to external factors. Napoleon Bonaparte, the renowned military leader and former Emperor of France, is a fine example of this bias. Napoleon is often praised for his military genius and victories achieved through innovative tactics on the battlefield. However, his invasion of Russia in 1812 resulted in disaster due to severe lack of supplies during Russia’s harsh winter, with some even suggesting that his army contracted typhus due to poorly planned logistics. Nevertheless, many argue that these consequences were not solely due to Napoleon’s actions, but also influenced by circumstances, Russian resilience, and the vastness of Russian territory. Self-serving bias is quite common in the interpretation of historical events, particularly concerning figures of great significance.
Another cognitive bias that one often falls victim to is the availability heuristic, which involves forming judgments based on how readily available or accessible information about a subject is. When faced with historical sources, people are more likely to rely on emotionally charged anecdotes that are easily recalled from memory. For example, when recalling World War II, events such as the invasion of Normandy (D-Day), Blitzkrieg and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki often come to mind. These events are often emphasized in textbooks and documentaries, making them memorable to many. However, focusing solely on these events can overshadow our understanding of other crucial aspects of the war, such as the contributions of unknown resistance movements, diplomatic negotiations and the civilian experience on the homefront. For instance, the role of women in the war effort, both on the frontlines and regarding industry, is often overlooked compared to the military achievements of male combatants.
When examining human history, it is essential to emphasize critical thinking and acknowledge how cognitive biases, such as those mentioned above, can significantly impact both interpretation and understanding. Therefore, it is vital to cultivate critical thinking instead of blindly accepting new information.