Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias where people seek out information that supports their beliefs and discard contradictory information. It can lead to bad decisions and is related to the desire to be right. To avoid it, people should analyze their beliefs from a broader point of view and gather more information before making conclusions. Playing devil’s advocate can also help.
A confirmation bias is a type of cognitive bias in which people tend to seek out information that agrees with their prior beliefs. They also place more weight on information input that supports their beliefs, discarding contradictory information. This is one of the most common cognitive biases, and it can also be the most dangerous, because it can lead people to make very bad decisions based on questionable information. Learning to recognize this type of prejudice is very important and individuals can use one or more techniques to avoid it, by carrying out scientific research or by purchasing products.
There are a number of reasons confirmation bias is so strong. Like any cognitive bias, it’s a shortcut in the brain for processing information, but the shortcut has some flaws. It is likely related to a common human desire to be right and to avoid embarrassment by retracting a previously held belief. This bias can also ensure that ingrained religious, ideological and ethical beliefs are not challenged, making believers feel more secure.
There are some obvious dangers to only looking at certain information, of course. For example, in scientific research, scientists might bias the results of a study by looking only for information that confirms their hypothesis. In a study examining the effects of the lunar cycle on human behavior, a scientist might believe that humans engage in more dangerous behavior around the new moon, and this hypothesis could be tested by monitoring emergency room admissions. If the scientists only looked at the admissions during this time period, it would not provide a complete picture which may not support the hypothesis.
A confirmation bias can also create a logical trap for people trying to engage in critical thinking. Many critical thinking classes encourage people to present viewpoints that are antithetical to their own opinions, to make people aware of the potential bias in critical thinking. In fields that require strong critical thinking skills, it is very important that people constantly question their beliefs, and people should not be afraid of making mistakes.
To avoid this bias, people should try to analyze their beliefs and ideas from a broader point of view. Those testing a personal hypothesis should gather as much information as possible before determining whether or not the hypothesis is true; for example, if someone believes that melons of a certain shape taste the best, they should collect a large sample of melons of various sizes and conduct a blind taste test to confirm or disprove this assumption. Individuals should also not be afraid to play devil’s advocate in an argument or discussion, by thinking through the opposing point of view.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
