Confirmation Bias is an aspect that is known to adversely affect personal judgement on given contexts. It is more or less a form of cognitive bias that is wrapped up in error of some sort. This form of bias can result from a number of factors that tore with the capacity to reason rationally. Effects of such fallacies tamper with emotions and may cause a rift in normal human communication. In many occasions, people may find themselves using ambiguous information to support their own evidences. These are issues that cause disagreements during communication. It is common for some people to persist with their evidences long after confirmation that the information is false. This is a form of illusion already formed in the mind of an individual hence an attempt to erase it is futile (Changingminds.org, 2018).
Confirmation bias has been in existence since time immemorial considering that people do not have the habit of confirming their own beliefs. The behaviour of interpreting own information is considered one-sided hence it overlooks other alternative views. This explains way people differ in the way they make decisions. These shortcomings limit people in achieving the most from their own evidences. The likelihood of being wrong is a contributing factor in confirmation bias. This means that even scientists are victims of confirmation bias (Changingminds.org, 2018).
Confirmation bias can lead to undesired behaviours such as over-confidence, poor decision making and conflict of interest. Not everyone has a capacity to process information rightfully and give positive feedback. People have a tendency of seeing mistakes instead of solutions. The worse thing about the whole concept is avoiding correction which is paramount in achieving effective decision making (Changingminds.org, 2018).
According to Changingminds.org, (2018) confirmation bias affects human interaction and communication in a social environment. This premise determines how people respond to each other. To a larger extent, it looks into interpretation of information at various levels of interaction and how it is hindered. When it comes to decision making based on new concepts or ideas, people tend to reflect on past impressions. This kind of response does not take into account any existence of new data. Several ways to improve this misconception have been attempted among them, educating people on effects of biases (Changingminds.org, 2018).
Changingminds.org, (2018) reports that attempts to change the way people think, feel and interpret information begins by counterchecking existing de-biasing techniques that work best. The aim of such a process is to ensure sound decision making behaviour is maintained. However, this can only work in a set up where the subjects are educated. Creating awareness is the only sure way to mitigate the effects of confirmation bias. Professionals are advised to build a hypothesis and keep consistent records on diagnosis of the response (Changingminds.org, 2018).
The aim of carrying out a hypothesis is solely to determine whether the subject remains the same before and after awareness of effects of being biased. The best way to confirm results is to ensure the hypothesis conforms to the decision made. According to research, the way to go is to avoid the fear of being viewed wrong. Subjects are best examined based on the aspects of their memories in relation to things that exist within their social environment – Positive Test Strategy. Confirmation bias in other words has been termed as Confirmatory, Verification or, Myside Bias (Changingminds.org, 2018).
Personal experiences display diverse cognitive abilities of people that hinder their decision making. This is apparent in the way a subject is perceived if, he works on different sectors. For instance, an individual working as a nurse, marketer, librarian or a news editor can display different kinds of personalities. As a nurse, one can be viewed as an introvert while as a marketer he is extraverted. If such an individual was to be assessed by different people in various sectors, it means such a person may be known best for the attributes related to each context. Decision making in such circumstances are based on a Positive Test Strategy (Changingminds.org, 2018).
Examples can also be drawn from common activities such as buying possessions. People have a tendency of comparing prices from different shops. This is a way of confirming that goods bought are a bargain. In many occasions such behaviour is determined by past decisions hence shield’s the buyer from the possibility of being wrong. At times people are forced to ask themselves why make such decisions. Based on real life experiences, people find solace in knowing they can relate to themselves. In a way it helps them feel good by confirming their fears are shared by many. Despite this aura of feelings, the person is not aware of the effects his beliefs are causing (Changingminds.org, 2018).
Once a decision has been confirmed, it is prudent to take into consideration all the evidences gathered. The results do not matter whether it confirms the decision or not. The most important thing is having made the effort of improving the decision. Taking caution is important since it is possible to be lied to or, issued with confirming evidence. Education of the subjects remains as the only sure way to curb the problem of confirmation bias. As it appears, some people are not even aware that they are making a mistake. (Changingminds.org, 2018).
In the overall, the issue of confirmation bias is a real problem in the social scene. As long as people are not educated on the effects, there would be conflicts. Communication is affected and especially how people react, respond and interact with each other. It takes changes in the way people handle their own beliefs in a way that it does not affect their decision making. The most important thing is to investigate own ideas and look for alternative ways of interpreting them. Through education, it is possible for people to work on their decision making process. This begins from individuals and how much their value information. The whole concept should not be based on personal interest; it takes character to do the right thing.
Reference
Changingminds.org. (2018). Disconfirmation bias.
Retrieved April 14th , 2018, from Changingminds.org: http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/disconfirmation_bias.htm
