Question

Define confirmation bias

Answer 1

Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that leads individuals to favor information that aligns with their preexisting beliefs, opinions, or hypotheses, while simultaneously discounting or ignoring information that contradicts them. This psychological phenomenon affects how people gather, interpret, and recall information, often leading to skewed perspectives and decision-making. Confirmation bias can manifest in various ways, such as selectively seeking evidence that supports one's views, misinterpreting ambiguous data to fit preconceived notions, and remembering information in a way that reinforces existing beliefs. It is a pervasive issue that can influence various aspects of life, including personal relationships, professional decisions, and public discourse.