Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M2622

Noise

Noise
Learn & MetacognitionHigh supportCognitive Science
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Refers to unnecessary, random variation in judgment. Unlike bias (systematic error), noise is discrete. For example, the same judge may give different sentences for similar cases before and after lunch.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Pursue consistency. Metacognition should not only correct bias but also reduce noise. Be aware that one's judgments can be influenced by weather, mood, or time, and thus seek the aid of algorithms or rules.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Noise has two layers: in Shannon's communication theory, it refers to random disturbances that interfere with the signal; in Kahneman et al.'s 'Noise', it refers to non-systematic variation produced by different judges on the same problem (or by the same person at different times). Noise makes decisions inconsistent and unreliable.

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Source support: Explicit

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