Do you really know? What is confirmation bias and how does it affect our judgement?
Oct 18, 2025
Ever wonder why some debates seem impossible to win? It might be due to confirmation bias, where people cling to beliefs that align with their views, dismissing contrary evidence. Explore a classic experiment that revealed this phenomenon and discover how even experts can fall prey to biased interpretations in their research. The discussion offers practical strategies like seeking diverse viewpoints and practicing self-reflection to help mitigate these biases. Tune in for a brief yet eye-opening exploration of how our judgments can be clouded!
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Stubborn Debate Example
- Joseph Chance describes debates where one person simply won't change their mind.
- They focus only on supporting points and twist challenges into their defence.
How Confirmation Bias Shapes Thought
- Confirmation bias makes people favour information that matches their pre-existing beliefs.
- It causes them to ignore or twist contradictory evidence and interpret data subjectively.
A Shortcut That Helps And Hurts
- Confirmation bias is a mental shortcut that speeds decision-making.
- That speed helps sometimes but can also lead us astray.