Hermeneutics, a hodge-podge of psychology, sociology, anthropology and philosophy — with a dose of linguistics thrown in for good measure — examines the variables around which we construct and impute meaning to our world. This process is more colloquially known as interpretation theory. Today, the data points that can inform any interpretation are growing exponentially and are surpassing our ability to cognitively wrap our minds around them. This is a challenge in whatever sphere we operate — be it physical or cyber. Math model (algorithmic) bias is an example of how this error, experienced in the physical world, raises its head in cyberspace. In these instances, the possibility of committing what is known in cognitive research as a Group Attribution Error looms large as the most pervasive and potentially consequential risk of our day.
Group Attribution Error encompasses the proclivity of people to believe that either a group’s decision or way of thinking is reflected or shared by each member of that group, or that the preferences and characteristics of an individual are reflective of the group as a whole. And while this term originated within the discipline of cognitive science, it’s a phenomenon reflected with increasing frequency in daily newscasts and in many aspects of cybersecurity.