Flexibility mindsets: Reducing biases that result from spontaneous processing

Spontaneous (i.e., heuristic, fast, effortless, and associative) processing has clear advantages for human cognition, but it can also elicit undesirable outcomes such as stereotyping other biases. In the current article, we argue that biased judgements behaviour result from spontaneous be reduced by activating various flexibility mindsets. These mindsets are characterised consideration of alternatives beyond one’s thoughts behaviours could, thus, contribute to bias reduction. Research demonstrated eliciting via goal cognitive conflicts, counterfactual thinking,, recalling own past flexible or behaviour, adopting a promotion focus reduces biases in behaviour. We summarise evidence effectiveness across wide variety important phenomena – including creative performance, prejudice, interpersonal decision-making. Finally, discuss underlying processes potential boundary conditions.