Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistorySignsTypesExamplesImpactTips for Overcoming It

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

History

Signs

Types

Examples

Impact

Tips for Overcoming It

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Confirmation bias is a type of cognitive bias that favors information that confirms your previously existing beliefs orbiases.

For example, imagine that Mary believes left-handed people are more creative than right-handed people. Whenever Mary encounters a left-handed, creative person, she will place greater importance on this “evidence” because it supports what she already believes. Mary might even seek proof that further backs up this belief while discounting examples that don’t support the idea.

Confirmation biases affect not only how we gather information but also how we interpret and recall it. For example, people who support or oppose a particular issue will not only seek information to support it, but they will also interpret news stories in a way that upholds their existing ideas. They will also remember details in a way that reinforces theseattitudes.

History of Confirmation Bias

Signs of Confirmation Bias

When it comes to confirmation bias, there are often signs that a person is inadvertently or consciously falling victim to it.Unfortunately, it can also be very subtle and difficult to spot. Some of these signs that might help you identify when you or someone else is experiencing this bias include:

Types of Confirmation Bias

There are a few different types of confirmation bias that can occur. Some of the most common include the following:

Examples of the Confirmation Bias

It can be helpful to consider a few examples of how confirmation bias works in everyday life to get a better idea of the effects and impact it may have.

Interpretations of Current Issues

One of the most common examples of confirmation bias is how we seek out or interpret news stories. We are more likely to believe a story if it confirms our pre-existing views, even if the evidence presented is shaky or inconclusive.For example, if we support a particular political candidate, we are more likely to believe news stories that paint them in a positive light while discounting or ignoring those that are critical.

Consider the debate over gun control:

These two people have very different opinions on the same subject, and their interpretations are based on their beliefs. Even if they read the same story, their bias shapes how they perceive the details, further confirming their beliefs.

Personal Relationships

Another example of confirmation bias can be seen in the way we choose friends and partners. We are more likely to be attracted to and befriend people who share our same beliefs and values, and less likely to associate with those who don’t. This can lead to an echo chamber effect, where we only ever hear information that confirms our views and never have our opinions challenged.

Decision-Making

The confirmation bias can often lead tobad decision-making. For example, if we are convinced that a particular investment is good, we may ignore warning signs that it might not be. Or, if we are set on getting a job with a particular company, we may not consider other opportunities that may be better suited for us.

Impact of the Confirmation Bias

The confirmation bias happens due to the natural way thebrainworks, so eliminating it is impossible. While it is often discussed as a negative tendency that impairs logic and decisions, it isn’t always bad. The confirmation bias can significantly impact our lives, both positively and negatively. On the positive side, it can help us stay confident in our beliefs and values and give us a sense of certainty and security.

Unfortunately, this type of bias can prevent us from looking at situations objectively. It can also influence our decisions and lead to poor or faulty choices.

During an election season, for example, people 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 objective facts, interpreting information in a way that only supports their existing beliefs, and remembering details that uphold these beliefs, they often miss important information. These details and facts might have influenced their decision on which candidate to support.

There’s a Reason Even The Smartest People Fall For Scams

How to Overcome the Confirmation Bias

There are a few different ways that we can try to overcome confirmation bias:

Confirmation Bias: The Takeaway

Unfortunately, all humans are prone to confirmation bias. Even if you believe you are veryopen-mindedand consider the facts before coming to conclusions, some bias likely shapes your opinion. Combating this natural tendency is difficult.

However, knowing about confirmation bias and accepting its existence can help you recognize it. Be curious about opposing views and listen to what others have to say and why. This can help you see issues and beliefs from other perspectives.

Signs of Different Types of Biases and How to Overcome Each of Them

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Confirmation bias. APA Dictionary of Psychology.Wason PC.On the failure to eliminate hypotheses in a conceptual task.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 1960;12(3):129-140. doi:10.1080/17470216008416717Satya-Murti S, Lockhart J.Recognizing and reducing cognitive bias in clinical and forensic neurology.Neurol Clin Pract. 2015 Oct;5(5):389-396. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000181Allahverdyan AE, Galstyan A.Opinion dynamics with confirmation bias.PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e99557. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099557Frost P, Casey B, Griffin K, Raymundo L, Farrell C, Carrigan R. The influence of confirmation bias on memory and source monitoring.J Gen Psychol. 2015;142(4):238-52. doi:10.1080/00221309.2015.1084987Suzuki M, Yamamoto Y.Characterizing the influence of confirmation bias on web search behavior.Front Psychol. 2021;12:771948. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.771948Additional ReadingPoletiek FH.Hypothesis-Testing Behavior. Psychology Press, 2013.

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Confirmation bias. APA Dictionary of Psychology.Wason PC.On the failure to eliminate hypotheses in a conceptual task.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 1960;12(3):129-140. doi:10.1080/17470216008416717Satya-Murti S, Lockhart J.Recognizing and reducing cognitive bias in clinical and forensic neurology.Neurol Clin Pract. 2015 Oct;5(5):389-396. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000181Allahverdyan AE, Galstyan A.Opinion dynamics with confirmation bias.PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e99557. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099557Frost P, Casey B, Griffin K, Raymundo L, Farrell C, Carrigan R. The influence of confirmation bias on memory and source monitoring.J Gen Psychol. 2015;142(4):238-52. doi:10.1080/00221309.2015.1084987Suzuki M, Yamamoto Y.Characterizing the influence of confirmation bias on web search behavior.Front Psychol. 2021;12:771948. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.771948Additional ReadingPoletiek FH.Hypothesis-Testing Behavior. Psychology Press, 2013.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychological Association.Confirmation bias. APA Dictionary of Psychology.Wason PC.On the failure to eliminate hypotheses in a conceptual task.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 1960;12(3):129-140. doi:10.1080/17470216008416717Satya-Murti S, Lockhart J.Recognizing and reducing cognitive bias in clinical and forensic neurology.Neurol Clin Pract. 2015 Oct;5(5):389-396. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000181Allahverdyan AE, Galstyan A.Opinion dynamics with confirmation bias.PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e99557. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099557Frost P, Casey B, Griffin K, Raymundo L, Farrell C, Carrigan R. The influence of confirmation bias on memory and source monitoring.J Gen Psychol. 2015;142(4):238-52. doi:10.1080/00221309.2015.1084987Suzuki M, Yamamoto Y.Characterizing the influence of confirmation bias on web search behavior.Front Psychol. 2021;12:771948. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.771948

American Psychological Association.Confirmation bias. APA Dictionary of Psychology.

Wason PC.On the failure to eliminate hypotheses in a conceptual task.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 1960;12(3):129-140. doi:10.1080/17470216008416717

Satya-Murti S, Lockhart J.Recognizing and reducing cognitive bias in clinical and forensic neurology.Neurol Clin Pract. 2015 Oct;5(5):389-396. doi:10.1212/CPJ.0000000000000181

Allahverdyan AE, Galstyan A.Opinion dynamics with confirmation bias.PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e99557. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099557

Frost P, Casey B, Griffin K, Raymundo L, Farrell C, Carrigan R. The influence of confirmation bias on memory and source monitoring.J Gen Psychol. 2015;142(4):238-52. doi:10.1080/00221309.2015.1084987

Suzuki M, Yamamoto Y.Characterizing the influence of confirmation bias on web search behavior.Front Psychol. 2021;12:771948. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.771948

Poletiek FH.Hypothesis-Testing Behavior. Psychology Press, 2013.

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