Question

What is confirmation bias?

Answers

GPT-4o mini
Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that involves the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities. This bias can lead individuals to overlook evidence that contradicts their views, reinforcing their opinions and making it harder to change their minds.

Confirmation bias can manifest in various contexts, such as politics, science, and personal relationships. For example, a person who holds a specific political belief might only follow news sources that align with that belief, disregarding sources with opposing viewpoints. This can result in a skewed understanding of issues and an inability to engage with differing perspectives.

Overall, confirmation bias can hinder critical thinking and objective analysis, leading to poor decision-making and perpetuating misconceptions. Recognizing and counteracting this bias is essential for fostering open-mindedness and making informed judgments.

Related Questions