Three Ways to Cope With Confirmation Bias
Confirmation bias–shrug? What’s that all about? If we want to be critical thinkers, confirmation bias can knock us out of the game before we hit the field. When we go shopping and only notice the brands we like, ignoring the others, confirmation bias has tackled our brains.
We’ve been gathering around campfires and nodding in agreement with our tribe for ages, so it’s no wonder our brains are wired to seek comfort in familiarity. This tendency to stick with what we know can lead us down the rocky path of confirmation bias.
Why is it a problem? Doesn’t everyone want to be accepted? Well, yes, everyone seeks solace in like-minded company, but …
Confirmation bias can turn our decision-making process into a one-sided magic show where the only tricks that support our beliefs get the spotlight. This can lead us to make choices based on incomplete, skewed, or (oh, horror!) fake information. If you’ve scrolled through social media, only engaging with posts that align with your views, confirmation bias has got you.
How do I deal with it? Here are three ways:
Adopt a growth mindset–remember, humans are lifelong learners. Open your mental windows and let in some fresh air. Be willing to challenge your beliefs, learn from mistakes and welcome new ideas.
Leverage that critical thinking skill set. Sift information and spot the writer’s confirmation biases—most of all, separate fact from fake.
Use data and evidence. Numbers don’t lie; people have been known to. Raw numbers tell the true story. Run numbers of your own. Taking someone else’s word (sorry, numbers) gives in to their confirmation bias.
Unfortunately, confirmation bias is next to impossible to overcome. Just being aware of it makes all the difference to your critical thinking processes.
