Where do your beliefs and opinions come from? If you're like most people, you feel that your convictions are rational, logical, and impartial, based on the result of years of experience and objective analysis of the information you have available.
In reality, all of us are susceptible to a problem known as a confirmation bias. Our beliefs are often based on paying attention to the information that upholds them—while at the same time tending to ignore the information that challenges them.
So what's the definition of confirmation bias. A confirmation bias is a type of cognitive bias and that makes you have a tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with your existing beliefs.
Here is how it works.
1. You tend to not seeking out objective facts.
2. You Interpreting information to support your existing beliefs
3. You only remembering details that uphold your beliefs.
4. You ignore or try to discredit information that challenges your beliefs. i.e. see #1
The problem with confirmation bias is that it impacts how we gather information, but they also influence how we interpret and recall information. For example, people who support or oppose a particular issue will not only seek information to support it, they will also interpret news stories in a way that upholds their existing ideas. They will also remember details in a way that reinforces these attitudes.
For example, during an election season, people may tend to seek positive information that paints their favored candidates in a good light. They will also look for information that casts the opposing candidate in a negative light
By not seeking out objective facts, interpreting information in a way that only supports their existing beliefs, and only remembering details that uphold these beliefs, they often miss important information. These details and facts might have otherwise influenced their decision on which candidate to support.
Unfortunately, we all have confirmation bias. Even if you believe you are very open-minded and only observe the facts before coming to conclusions, it's very likely that some bias will shape your opinion in the end. It's very difficult to combat this natural tendency.
That said, if we know about confirmation bias and accept the fact that it does exist, we can make an effort to recognize it by working to be curious about opposing views and really listening to what others have to say and why. This can help us better see issues and beliefs from another perspective, though we still need to be very conscious of wading past our confirmation bias.
