026 Confirmation Bias
A tendency to favor information that confirms pre-existing views.
• The confirmation bias is a tendency to focus on information that supports pre-existing views, and to ignore information that contradicts pre-existing views.
• Effects of the bias include overconfidence, selective memory, poor decision making, and resistance to change in light of contrary evidence.
• For example, a person who believes the moon landing was faked seeks out information that confirms this belief, and ignores evidence to the contrary.
• The bias is strongest for beliefs in which there has been significant emotional investment.
• Consider the confirmation bias when conducting research and development. Recognition of the bias is the best antidote. ...
Get The Pocket Universal Principles of Design now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
