What is Confirmation Bias?

What is Confirmation Bias and How Does It Affect Us?

Ever found yourself believing something strongly, only to find evidence that contradicts it, but you still stick to your original belief? That’s confirmation bias at work. But what exactly is it, and why does it matter?

Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that causes people to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or opinions. It’s like wearing tinted glasses that make everything look a certain color. When we encounter new information, we tend to interpret it in a way that supports what we already think, while ignoring or dismissing information that challenges our views.

Why Do We Have Confirmation Bias?

This bias happens because our brains are wired to process information in a way that feels safe and comfortable. It's easier to stick with what we know than to confront potentially uncomfortable truths. Imagine you believe that a particular diet is the best for health. When you come across studies that show other diets might also be effective, you might dismiss them, focusing instead on research that supports your chosen diet. 

Real-Life Examples of Confirmation Bias

1. Political Beliefs: People often only follow news sources that align with their political views. If someone is conservative, they might prefer news outlets that reinforce conservative values, while avoiding sources with liberal perspectives. This reinforces their existing beliefs and creates an echo chamber.

2. Medical Decisions: If someone believes in a particular alternative medicine, they might only seek out stories of people who had positive experiences with it and ignore scientific research that questions its efficacy.

How Does Confirmation Bias Impact Our Self-Sustainable City Project?

In our self-sustainable city project, confirmation bias could affect how we view and adopt new sustainability practices. For instance, if we are committed to solar energy, we might overly focus on success stories and positive data about solar power, while underestimating the challenges or drawbacks. This bias can lead to skewed decision-making, potentially overlooking other equally effective sustainable practices.

Being aware of confirmation bias helps us make more balanced decisions. By actively seeking out diverse perspectives and critically evaluating all information, we can create a more robust and adaptable self-sustainable city. This approach ensures we incorporate the best practices and technologies for truly sustainable living.

Have you experienced confirmation bias in your own life? How do you think it affects decision-making in sustainability projects? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below!