IDENTIFYING DECISION BIASES AND CURATORIAL JUDGMENT PATTERNS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAINING IN ARCHIVES

Abstract

Decisions made in curatorial practices in archival institutions are influenced not only by written standards, but also by implicit cognitive biases and decision-making patterns that could be shaped by the materials themselves. This paper describes the investigation of the occurrence and typology of identified decision biases (confirmation bias, availability heuristic, and cultural framing) embedded in the judgment processes of archival practice. Using a combination of structured interviews, content analysis of accession records, and behavioural audits, the study empirically identifies patterns of recurring judgment in curatorial activity. The researcher proposes the use of a psychological training paradigm to address decision biases by including training on metacognition, decision-mapping activities and reflective practice modules in professional development programs for archivists. In addition, the training modules are described as improving the ethical accountability and the diversity of representation in archives. The implications of the findings are worthwhile to both archival science and applied psychology as a replicable model for recognition and mitigation of bias in other contextual arenas of decision-making with known heritage built-in situations.