Survivorship bias is a common psychological phenomenon that can distort our understanding of success and failure. It occurs when we focus on winners or survivors while ignoring those who did not succeed. This can lead to incorrect conclusions about what it takes to succeed. Let’s break this down into two categories: negative and positive survivorship bias.

What is Negative Survivorship Bias?

Negative survivorship bias happens when we only see the failures and ignore the successes. This can lead to a skewed perception that the majority of efforts lead to failure. Here are some key points:

• Focus on Failures: We often hear about failed businesses or projects, which can create a pessimistic view of attempting similar ventures.
• Real-Life Example: Think about a popular social media post that highlights entrepreneurs who failed. While these stories are valuable, they can overshadow the many who succeeded.
• Impact: This bias can make people hesitant to take risks, believing that failure is the norm rather than the exception.

What is Positive Survivorship Bias?

On the flip side, positive survivorship bias occurs when we only recognize the successes and overlook the failures. This can create an unrealistic view of how easy success can be. Here are some highlights:

• Focus on Successes: We often celebrate successful individuals, such as famous entrepreneurs or athletes, without acknowledging their struggles.
• Real-Life Example: Consider the stories of billionaires. Many articles focus solely on their wealth and success, while the countless failed ventures they experienced remain hidden.
• Impact: This bias can lead to the belief that success is achievable with minimal effort, which is misleading.

Comparing Negative and Positive Survivorship Bias

Types of Survivorship Bias

1. Causal Survivorship Bias: This occurs when we assume that successful outcomes are due to specific factors while ignoring the variables that led to failure.
2. Temporal Survivorship Bias: This type reflects a time-based distortion where we focus on current successes without considering past failures.

Real-Life Applications of Survivorship Bias

• Investment Decisions: Investors often chase after the latest successful stocks without considering the many that failed.
• Career Choices: Individuals may choose careers based on stories of successful people, neglecting the hard work and failures those individuals faced.
• Health and Fitness: Many fitness programs highlight success stories, but often omit the struggles and setbacks experienced by participants.

How to Avoid Survivorship Bias

• Broaden Your Research: Look at both successful and unsuccessful cases in any field.
• Seek Diverse Perspectives: Talk to people from different backgrounds to understand various experiences.
• Accept Failure as Part of Success: Recognize that failure is a common part of the journey towards success.

By understanding both negative and positive survivorship bias, we can make more informed decisions and develop a more balanced perspective on success and failure.