Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that refers to the tendency of peoples minds to seek out information that supports the views they already hold. It is a type of error in thinking that can lead to illogical and biased decision-making. When people have developed an opinion about an issue, they have difficulty processing information in a rational, unbiased manner. This bias occurs because humans are limited to interpreting information from their own viewpoint.
Confirmation bias can manifest in several ways, including:
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Biased search for information: This occurs when only positive evidence is sought, or evidence that supports your expectations or hypotheses. Evidence that could prove them wrong is systematically disregarded.
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Biased interpretation of information: This occurs when people interpret evidence in ways that support their pre-existing beliefs, expectations, or hypotheses.
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Selective memory: This occurs when people easily accept new information that is consistent with their beliefs, but are skeptical of information that contradicts their beliefs.
Confirmation bias can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies, where peoples expectations influence their behavior and ultimately lead to the expected outcome. It can also lead to inaccurate and unethical conclusions.
It is important to recognize our vulnerability to confirmation bias and actively work to overcome it. This can involve seeking out information that challenges our beliefs, considering alternative perspectives, and being open to changing our opinions based on new evidence.
