EOTO #2 - Confirmation Bias

CONFIRMATION BIAS

Confirmation Bias is defined as "the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories." (Oxford Languages).

This idea of Confirmation Bias was founded by the psychologist Peter Cathcart Wason in 1960. He based this theory by conducting an experiment with people and asked them about triples. The experiment consisted of Wason asking the experiment participants to guess a rule about number triples. "The participants were told that the triples must fit the 2-4-6 rule, and were told they could make up their own. Most people chose what they thought fit the rule."

Many people were afraid to speak up or change their triples for fear of being false. They didn't want to be perceived in such a way that would regard them as unintelligent or simply not smart enough to understand the purpose of the assignment/experiment. People always have an idea of what is right and wrong in the world and what is right and wrong in their mind. This can only strengthen the Confirmation Bias theory.

There are definitely a lot of downsides to Confirmation Bias. Not having the ability to think on one's own terms and to only absorb information can result in downfall. Things Confirmation Bias can do to a person may vary, but there are many common factors. Confirmation Bias often results in influenced preference to making judgements, causes for involuntary assumptions, causes people to disregard unreliable material, and causes others to become more susceptible to have Confirmation Bias when pertaining to their own experiences or beliefs. The last thing Confirmation Bias does is that is already leaves assumptions when talking about a particular group or issue. 

The examples of Confirmation Bias span a broad amount, creating a sort of spectrum of examples of the theory. A common example is that left handed people are perceived to be more creative than those who write with their right hand. Right vs. Left and Right and Left are super prominent in the theory of Confirmation Bias. The news, jobs, politics, personal beliefs, gender, and appearance are also important topics that Confirmation Bias focuses on.

Confirmation Bias today is still largely present in society and around the world. In America, many issues are to be debated upon when talking about Confirmation Bias, what it entails, and how it's related to these topics as well as many others. Confirmation Bias is never going to go away. The theory will still be around because of people's already existing beliefs. If others aren't willing to listen or absorb information, then that will only reinforce the idea of the theory. It's difficult to change someone's opinion if they aren't going to listen to change, and Confirmation Bias only exemplifies this.

Confirmation Bias affects me because it's difficult for me to have a conversation with someone who isn't willing to listen or accept what I have to say. The same goes for my family and friends.

Something that will help others understanding Confirmation Bias is held in these examples and in how others choose to perceive them hinges on the people who are educated on the term and those that are willing to listen, and the examples of those who aren't. Confirmation Bias will still exist today as long as those who don't agree will still be around.