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Excess Judgment Loss

Excess judgment loss refers to a cognitive bias where people tend to overestimate the accuracy of their own judgments and underestimate the accuracy of others’. This bias can lead to errors in decision-making and judgment, as people may be unwilling to admit their own mistakes or consider alternative perspectives.

Causes:

  • Overconfidence: People often experience illusory and intuitive confidence in their own abilities, which can lead to excessive judgment loss.
  • Confirmation bias: The desire to confirm our own beliefs and ignore disconfirming evidence.
  • Framing effect: The way in which information is presented can influence our judgments.
  • Salience: The vivid and memorable nature of certain information can bias our judgments.
  • Social desirability bias: The tendency to favor information that conforms to our social norms or expectations.

Examples:

  • A manager who overestimates the competence of a new employee.
  • A doctor who makes a diagnosis based on a few abnormal symptoms.
  • A student who believes their own study methods are superior to others.

Consequences:

  • Poor decision-making: Excess judgment loss can lead to poor decisions that have negative consequences.
  • Confirmation bias: It can reinforce existing biases and make it difficult to learn from new information.
  • Intransigence: It can lead to stubborn resistance to changing opinions or ideas.
  • Mistrust: It can damage trust in others and make it difficult to collaborate effectively.

Mitigating Excess Judgment Loss:

  • Seek diverse perspectives: Challenge your own assumptions and consider alternative viewpoints.
  • Gather information objectively: Collect data and information from reliable sources.
  • Be open to feedback: Be willing to admit your mistakes and learn from others.
  • Consider the framing effect: Be aware of how information is presented and its potential influence.
  • Slow down and reflect: Take your time to think carefully before making judgments.

Conclusion:

Excess judgment loss is a common cognitive bias that can have negative consequences. By understanding the causes and consequences of this bias, we can mitigate its impact on our decision-making and judgment. By seeking diverse perspectives, gathering accurate information, and being open to feedback, we can make more informed and objective judgments.

FAQs

  1. What is an excess judgment?

    An excess judgment occurs when a court awards damages that exceed the insurance coverage limits of a policy. For example, if a policyholder has $100,000 in liability coverage and the court awards $150,000 in damages, the $50,000 beyond the insurance limit is considered an excess judgment. The policyholder is personally responsible for this excess amount.

  2. What is an excessive verdict?

    An excessive verdict is a jury award that appears disproportionately high given the circumstances of the case. It may be challenged and reduced by the court if deemed unreasonable or unfair.

  3. What is the difference between excess and premium?

    The premium is the amount you pay regularly (monthly or annually) to keep your insurance policy active, whereas the excess is the amount you pay out-of-pocket when making a claim before your insurance coverage kicks in.

  4. What is an example of excess of loss?

    Suppose an insurer covers property damage up to $1 million and purchases excess of loss reinsurance with a retention limit of $500,000. If a claim of $800,000 occurs, the insurer pays $500,000, and the reinsurer covers the remaining $300,000.

  5. What is the difference between excess of loss and stop loss?

    Excess of loss reinsurance covers claims exceeding a specific amount per claim, while stop loss reinsurance covers losses exceeding a certain threshold on an aggregate level for the entire portfolio.

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