# Decision Bias Audit

For a decision you have already leaned toward. Complete Step 1 honestly before running the audit.

## Step 1: State the Leaning (before the audit)

- **Option I am leaning toward:**
- **Since when:**
- **What would have to be true for me to change my mind:**

## Step 2: Fixed Six-Bias Checklist

| Bias | What it looks like | Counter-question | Found in my reasoning? (quote) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Confirmation bias | Searched for reasons it's right, not reasons it's wrong | What did I not look for? |  |
| Sunk cost | Past investment treated as a reason to continue | Would I choose this starting from zero? |  |
| Availability heuristic | A vivid recent example outweighs the base rate | Is this common, or just memorable? |  |
| Status quo bias | Current state is the default; change needs extra justification | Which wins if both options were new to me today? |  |
| Framing effect | Same facts, gain vs. loss framing, different preference | Does the preference hold in the opposite frame? |  |
| Base-rate neglect | A compelling specific story outweighs the general pattern | What's the base rate before the story is added? |  |

## Step 3: Counter-Evidence Ledger

For each bias with a real flag — not every row will have one:

| Bias flagged | Counter-evidence needed | [verify] or [illustrative] | Verified? | Changes the decision? |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  |  |  |  |  |

**Rule:** treat any AI-generated counter-evidence as [illustrative] until you personally verify it. Unlabeled output defaults to [illustrative].

## Step 4: Independent Second Pass

- [ ] Ran the same six-item checklist in a fresh conversation with no memory of my leaning, OR
- [ ] Asked a colleague who has not seen my preference to audit manually against the same list

**Where the two audits agreed:**

**Where they diverged (often marks a genuinely close call):**

## Before Acting, Confirm

- [ ] All six biases checked against quoted reasoning, not general impression
- [ ] Counter-evidence verified, not just generated
- [ ] A named human — not "the AI confirmed no bias" — owns the final call
- [ ] For legal/medical/financial stakes: a qualified professional has reviewed this, not just the audit