MENTAL MODEL · M6642

Garbage In, Garbage Out

SystemsHigh supportSystems Theory

Included

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Garbage In, Garbage Out: If a computer system is fed erroneous or useless data, its output will inevitably be erroneous or invalid.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

In computer science, garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) is the concept that flawed, biased or poor quality (garbage) information or input produces a result or output of similar ("garbage") quality. The saying points to the need to improve data quality in, for example, programming. Rubbish in, rubbish ou…

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Any transformation system (algorithm, decision process, human brain) merely performs operations on the input; it cannot conjure up missing information or correct fundamental errors in the input. The mechanism is "information non-increase"—poor-quality input is either directly output or has its biases amplified through multiple layers of processing. This is also the source of risks in "cognitive outsourcing" and "automation bias."

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/4

Practice this model in one real situation:

Validate input before processing (format, range, source credibility)
Establish data quality thresholds and reject obviously dirty data
Clean and standardize before processing
Use output to cross-check whether input is reliable.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

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Source support: Explicit

link
en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_in%2C_garbage_outZH · Explicit
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