What is 'confirmation bias'?

Confirmation bias refers to the tendency of individuals to favor information that confirms their existing beliefs or hypotheses while disregarding or minimizing evidence that contradicts those beliefs. This psychological phenomenon can lead to a distorted perception of reality, as it encourages individuals to seek out, interpret, and remember information in a way that supports their prior views.

In the context of decision-making and critical thinking, confirmation bias can hinder one’s ability to engage with new ideas, appreciate differing perspectives, and make well-rounded judgments. It frequently results in reinforcing stereotypes and maintaining the status quo by overlooking contrary evidence that could challenge prevailing assumptions.

The concept fundamentally contrasts with the idea of evaluating situations objectively, which involves an unbiased assessment of all available evidence, and recognizes the validity of diverse viewpoints, both of which are necessary for sound decision-making.