Debiasing

Debiasing is a procedure to reduce or eliminate biases from the cognitive strategies of a decision-maker (Arnott, 2006).
Despite the enormous difficulty that debiasing implies, there is no doubt that the efforts made to try to mitigate or avoid errors in decision-making, could be one of the greatest legacies that psychology can make to promote human well-being. Debiasing methods are directed to eliminate biases but also to diminish their frequency and intensity (Lilienfeld, Rachel Ammirati, and Kristin Landfield, 2009)
The techniques used for debiasing can be aim to the automatic cognitive process (system 1), procedural techniques, or to the conscious manipulation of the internal structure of the task (system 2), structure modifying techniques (Keren, 1990).
Most research focus in procedural techniques, although a deep understanding of the task and biases can lead to better decisions.
Still, exist many ways in which system 2, that requires attention, effort, and mental work, can influence the operation of system 1 that is associative and immediate. For example, the easiest form of self-control is to restrict your environment in a way that will reduce temptations. (Kanehman, 2013)
A study by Smith and Greene (2005), showed that withholding irrelevant information from jurors was effective on several levels. The initial stage of information processing is of particular relevance, as cognitive failures have been found to occur when synthesizing information.
In the study by Lucchiari and Pravettoni (2011), they found that doctors are particularly vulnerable to diagnosys errors when trying to be analitical, forcing the system 2 instead of allowing system 1 to work naturally. The accuracy of a decision increased when using ...

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...tion is differentially directed to portions of the environment. The most salient information, is most likely to be attended and acquired first (Jarvenpaa, 1990)
Summary agent: When information overload can be an issue, a summary can lower the impact of ambiguity.
A study by Greene, Johns and Smith (2001) showed the impact that knowledge of evidence related to a defendant´s conduct prior to the case been judge, influences the assessments of jurors.
In the present study, we aim to investigate:
- If the prior conduct of a witness influences the assessment of the jurors.
- if a debiasing strategy, like the redesign of the task environment offers an opportunity to debiasing the individual decision-maker (Klayman & Brown, 1993)

The redesign of the task environment provides a summary of the information as well as contrasting and salience tools.