Rethink Confirmation Bias

 

                                            Photo by Markus Winkler

People have different perspectives to how they view certain topics and ideas. The idea pertaining to Confirmation Bias is the tendency to look for, interpret and recall information that maintains our preconception. Whenever we come across objective facts on an issue we look at them from the viewpoint that was conditioned from our own beliefs. This so called bias becomes strongest when we look at issues that bring up deep emotions in us where we desire certain outcomes that are best in our favor.

"One way or another we are all biased, but still we have the modern cortical capacity to choose whether or not to let the harmful biases dictate our behaviour."

                                                                                                                        Abhijit Naskar

Generation to Generation

Confirmation bias can be passed on from one generation to the next. This is especially shown when it comes to religion or politics. Our parents install their beliefs in us when we are young so it is well engrained in our mindset and those beliefs most likely came from their parents and grandparents and so on.

As we come come across new bits of information through our daily lens which is unfamiliar to us then a bias can give us a very fast conclusion of how we feel about it. We almost do not know how to come up with different outcomes because our opinions have been firmly established for so long that our reactions become second nature. We feel that the story in our heads is the right answer to everything. 

Our brains have been this way for millions of years. When we were once tribal beings we lived in a very different world as compared to modern times. Our ancestors had to make quick decisions when it came to hunting and gathering, dealing for wild animals, and violent weather. Our survival was dependant upon making quick decisions. In today's day and age we do not have the same kinds of threats so we can actually slow down and think more deeply about certain issues. This allows us to have more awareness of our prejudgement. Slowing down our thoughts is the best course of action since it gives us time to reflect on better outcomes instead of reacting in the same repetitive way.

Here's a great example explaining confirmation bias from The McCombs School of Business

Information Super Highway

The world wide web has been a wonderful tool in our modern times. It has revolutionized the way we perform tasks and it gives all the information we need at our finger tips with lightning speed. The problem is that the information is being projected in our direction with plenty of contradiction. If we do a simple search on whatever topic interests us we can get an answer to confirm our deepest beliefs. 

Political views are a hot button issue no matter what country you live in. Whether you are on the left or the right, liberal or conservative we can receive all the views available to confirm our deepest beliefs politically. If I was pro-liberal I can find all the information to prove the left side is the best political choice. However, if individuals would seek out pro-conservative facts then we would receive anti-left  viewpoints from the web. Same internet just how we want to interpret different facts in politics. 

 A more simple example would be about one of the world's favorite beverages, coffee. If I liked coffee which I do, it can be very easy to find all the health benefits that coffee has to offer for our well being. From morning pick me up to cognitive enhancer there is no short of information on the pro side of coffee. However, if I hated coffee then the internet can definitely prove to me that it is full of health side effects and will eventually kill me. 

Tips on Overcoming Bias

Get Better Educated: The more educated you are and the more books we read, the better we can see different sides of the spectrum. There is lots of data out there we can absorb and as long as we view it with open-mindedness then we can start to question old views and develop new fresh opinions.

Understand Bias is Unfair: We cannot expect that all the information we absorb is true. Bias is considered a prejudice in favor of or against a thing, person, or group. This can cause negative consequences and polarization, so we need to look at all opinions and digest them carefully. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly.

Recognize that Bias exists: We can increase our self awareness by slowing down our thought process. Do not react immediately when our beliefs are being challenged. Those beliefs have been conditioned in us for many years and so there is nothing wrong with giving new thoughts a chance. 

Have Empathy: We can address our differing opinions by examining situations from others point of view. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you like to be treated in a harmful manner based on someone else's beliefs or attitudes? By answering this question it can help to justify whether you are being fair to others.

"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is just a perspective, not the truth."                          Marcus Aurelius

It is very difficult to change people's minds how they view anything. I can give my viewpoint but it does not mean anyone needs to follow it. My viewpoint is not the only answer. As I navigate this journey of life I try to obtain all the knowledge available to better serve me. If what I learned in the past does not serve me then I do not need to believe it anymore.

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