PSYCHOLOGY
psychology
cognition
bias
truth
Confirmation Bias: Why You Are Rarely Objective
We think we see the world as it is. In reality, we see what we want to see. Understanding the most dangerous cognitive bias.
Peter Wason• 6 min read
The Filter Bubble of the Mind
Confirmation Bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, and recall information in a way that confirms our pre-existing beliefs. If you believe "people are selfish," you will notice every rude person on the subway and ignore the person holding the door for you. We are not impartial judges weighing evidence. We are attorneys arguing a case we've already decided is true.
The Echo Chamber
In the age of algorithms, this bias is weaponized. Social media feeds us what we already agree with, creating "echo chambers." We become more radical, more certain, and less capable of understanding opposing views.
How to Fight It
- Seek Disconfirmation: Don't ask "Why am I right?" Ask "How could I be wrong?"
- Kill Your Darlings: Be willing to let go of a cherished belief if the facts demand it.
- Listen to Listen: When arguing, try to understand the other person's position well enough to argue it yourself (Steel-manning). Objectivity is not a default setting; it is a discipline practicing every day.