Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from rational judgment that occur as the human brain processes and interprets information. These biases often stem from heuristics, or mental shortcuts, which allow the brain to make decisions quickly and efficiently but can lead to flawed conclusions and inaccurate perceptions of reality. These biases usually operate beneath the surface of conscious awareness, influencing memory recall, perception, and reasoning without the individual realizing it. They are perceptual errors that occur on a subconscious level, but can be hijacked by external actors in order to influence behavior.
Cognitive biases often fuel logical fallacies, allowing them to persist undetected, but belong to the internal world of the human mind. A cognitive bias is an internal, psychological predisposition that affects how humans process and interpret information. A logical fallacy, on the other hand, is an external error in the structure of an argument that occurs during reasoning or communication.
The Thinking Mind 