Confirmation Bias
Confirmation bias is the tendency to favour information that supports existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.
Overview
Confirmation bias can influence how people interpret unusual experiences, coincidences, or ambiguous events.
Key Insight
It can make certain experiences appear more meaningful than they objectively are.
Scientific Status
Confirmation bias is one of the most well-documented psychological phenomena.
How Researchers Study It
Researchers study it through experiments involving decision making and information evaluation.
Quick Facts
- Field
- psychology
- Related Concepts
- cognitive bias
- Typical Context
- belief formation
Related Terms
FAQ
Why does confirmation bias occur?
It helps simplify complex information but can distort reasoning.