Event overview
Goldsmiths Psychology welcomes Dr Itiel Dror, Cognitive Consultants Intl. "Why are experts inherently biased and disposed to errors? And is there anything we can do about it?"
Abstract: Experts are highly regarded as they are deemed to provide impartial and objective evidence. Indeed, forensic experts often provide valuable evidence that is critical for administering fair justice. However, cognitive neuroscience insights into the way experts operate and how the brain processes information exposes that experts are inherently biased and disposed to errors. In the criminal justice system, for example, research and real casework have shown that forensic experts (even forensic DNA, fingerprinting, and analytical chemistry) provide scientific evidence that may be far from objective or being impartial. This talk will present why such weaknesses are inherent to expert decision making, and suggest practical ways to mitigate bias.
Background readings:
Dror, I. E. (2025). Biased and Biasing: The hidden Bias Cascade and Bias Snowball effects. Special issue on Forensic and Legal Cognition in the journal of Behavioral Sciences, 15(4), 490. doi: 10.3390/bs15040490 Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040490
Bio: Dr. Itiel Dror (PhD Harvard) is a cognitive neuroscientist who is interested in the cognitive architecture that underpins expert decision making. Dror’s research, published in dozens of research articles, cited over 14,000 times (source: Google Scholar), demonstrates human vulnerabilities in expert judgments and decision making. He has worked in a variety of domains, from policing and aviation, to medical experts and bankers, showing that cognitive and human factors impact even hard working, dedicated and competent experts. In the forensic science domain, Dr. Dror has focused attention and highlighted how bias can impact even the more 'objective' scientific domains. Dr. Dror has worked with and trained many agencies in various countries on how to minimise errors and enhance expert decision making. He has also appeared as a meta-expert in court cases in countries all over the world. More information is available: https://www.cci-hq.com/dr.-itiel-dror.html
Please join us in person if you can. Or click here to join the lecture on Teams.
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Mar 2026 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm |
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