Confirmation Bias
I think the majority of us have come to the point where every time we feel something wrong about ourselves, we will use the internet to search for the possible reason why we feel that way.
For instance, you felt dizzy one time, and it's associated with nausea. You immediately search up the web to find the answers to possible reasons why you are feeling that way. If the information agrees with your suspicion, you will most likely believe it. If not, therefore you will find other possible reasons why that happened.
Let’s say you’re a woman who is struggling in getting pregnant and you’re desperate to have a child. Experiencing the same scenarios mentioned above, you open the internet and search for possible reasons. According to the search results, you’re most likely carrying a child. Your husband is telling you to go to the doctor to further confirm your belief but you refused. Even though it is not yet examined by a professional, you are already confident with the information you got.
The situation presented above is an example of confirmation bias. According to Psychology Today, the direct influence of desire on beliefs causes confirmation bias. When people want a particular notion or concept to be true, they believe it to be true. Wishful thinking is what drives them. When the evidence acquired thus far confirms the opinions or preconceptions one wishes to be true, this fallacy causes the individual to stop acquiring information. To simplify, you always stick to your belief, and always reject any information that contradicts what you believe in.
Once we've developed an opinion, we accept information that supports it while avoiding or dismissing information that contradicts it. Confirmation bias implies that we do not view situations objectively. We cherry-pick the evidence that makes us feel good because it confirms our preconceptions. As a result, we may become enslaved by our assumptions. Some people, for example, maybe quick to dismiss any allegations that marijuana can cause harm as nothing more than old-fashioned reefer nonsense. Any evidence that marijuana does not cause harm will be dismissed by some social conservatives.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201504/what-is-confirmation-bias
In the current political climate in the Philippines, a lot of individuals showed their confirmation bias. If the information complements their beliefs, they will accept it wholeheartedly without checking if it's true or not. On the other hand, if they hear or see information that disputes their belief, they will immediately get angry. May kasunod pa yang respect my opinion.
Note: Don’t get me wrong here. I always respect everyone's opinion. However, if one’s opinion is wrong, spreads and promotes wrong belief, or oppresses others, it is everyone’s responsibility to correct it.
Another example of confirmation bias is the anti-vaxxers. When the vaccine came out earlier than expected, these people believed that it was not yet safe. Their claim was supported by different conspiracy theories and fake information that further strengthened their beliefs. When these people are presented with scientific claims, they will reject them. Sasabihin pa ng mga yan ginagawa lang daw business ng gobyerno, lol.
Note: This is the link that explains why COVID-19 vaccines are created earlier than any other vaccines.
Confirmation bias prevents the productive and effective change of thoughts and ideas. For example, in a company where communication is always important, a person who has a confirmation bias can’t give honest suggestions and feedback. This will affect how the company will perform thus stunting the potential growth and improvement.
In a society filled with these types of people, progress is hindered. Since the majority of the population is not accepting new information that contradicts their belief, lies can be easily spread and oppression is rampant.
The only solution to confirmation bias is acceptance and being open-minded.
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It's really hard kli4d. It will lead a big possibility for complications. It's not healthy. When you are stand and fight for your beliefs which is not true and you didn't want somebody to against your belief even it's really obvious that it's not right. A big issue from this.
Sometimes we should be open for everyone. Acceptance must be there. We should be aware the beliefs we had if it's true or not.