A good story beats a table of data any day. And yet, it is the truth we need, not an entertaining story. In addition to the above biases, several factors can hamper the best use of information. Many people formulate generalizations on the basis of very small samples, often one or two or three instances. Generalizing from one's own limited experience and then adjusting one's interpretation of subsequent events is a major problem in life itself as well as in information processing.
Most people have trouble applying consistent judgmental and evaluative strategies in similar cases.
Information from one source will receive more favorable treatment than information from another. Information received, say, in the morning will be viewed more favorably or more critically than similar information received in the afternoon. Under pressure, information tends to be processed using shortcuts, simplification, and superficial analysis. Two differing items considered closely together in time tend to appear more different than they really are. The mind exaggerates differences, perhaps as a means of distinguishing the items.