Peter Wason, a cognitive psychologist at University College, coined the term “confirmation bias” in 1960. This phrase has since become a very important theory, discussed in several different kinds of textbooks, research papers, and so on. It is just one of 175 different types of cognitive bias alone that could interfere with research or just everyday decisions. Dr. Wason believed that humans do not try at all to test their hypotheses critically but rather to confirm them, therefore the theory of confirmation bias began being researched and tested. It is now one of the most common theories about the psychology of reasoning that is studied.
Confirmation bias is people’s tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with their existing beliefs”. This type of bias is often unintentional, and draws primarily from pre-existing beliefs, values, and experiences. Once someone develops their own opinions about an issue it is hard for them to remain unbiased. That decision or opinion now will sway them to feel a specific way about future information or debates, as well as make it harder for them to be swayed to change their mind or consider opposing sides.
The experiment that Peter Wason used to test his theory of confirmation bias was quite interesting. Participants were told to guess what the rule would be for a three digit sequence and that 2-4-6 satisfied the rule. This caused participants to often assume – due to confirmation bias – that the rule was that even numbers were increasing by two. This led to them guessing sequences such as 6-8-10 or 20-22-24. However, the rule was actually just that the numbers were increasing.
There are three ways that people display confirmation bias: selective search, selective interpretation, and selective recall. All of these demonstrate ways in which individuals search to confirm their own beliefs rather than seek new or challenging information. Selective search is when an individual only searches for sources that confirms their own beliefs. This can occur through how they go about looking for information, the types of sources they use, or even just the way they phrase their search. For instance, when two options are typed into a search engine, option A is assumed to be more favored than option B and therefore the search engine will populate sources that favor option A closer to the top of the page. Thus, the information found agrees with what the individual already thinks to be true whether or not they are aware they believe that or if it is subconscious. Furthermore, selective interpretation refers to the fact that even if two individuals were given the exact same information the way that they interpret it may differ due to confirmation bias. The individuals may have different values, beliefs, or experiences that have shaped the way that they think and process certain information. Lastly, selective recall claims that due to confirmation bias the information that people are able to recall is only the parts that support their own beliefs. For instance, in terms of a political debate, people often only know facts, information, or statistics that make their political party seem “better” or more positively favored.
However, confirmation bias can fortunately be limited. Although it cannot be fully avoided there are a few suggestions on how to limit the amount of bias that one — while taking in information. Firstly, in order to begin correcting this issue, one must admit that they have a problem and that they actually have confirmation bias. Thus, from there one can ensure that their research is thorough. This means reading numerous sources on topics including from a point of view that challenge or disagree with one’s own side. These sources must be credible and should be from all different types of media or news outlets. Finally, all research should be read fully. Individuals cannot stop after just the hook or the headline; they must read all of the information there is to offer and then carefully analyze it prior to making a decision. These steps will allow an individual to become more conscious of their bias and therefore process information with as much of the facts as possible.
Overall, confirmation bias is nothing new to society. It has always been around and even after Wason’s naming in 1960, it is still very much present within society. People rely heavily on their own “gut” and split seconds to make decisions, but are they aware of just how much of those decisions are already decided or being influenced due to confirmation bias? This is most easily seen when it comes to political discussions. It has become a new norm today for people to no longer be involved in political debates where they listen to all the sides and opponents, and then amend or at least acknowledge their own opinions. Today everyone is pressured into picking a side and then somewhat forced by society to stay there. There are no longer conversations or debates, but rather arguments over who is right and who is wrong, as it is now the belief for some reason that only one side can be "correct".
No comments:
Post a Comment