When and why do we prefer information that supports our pre-existing views?

What is it about?

This open-access book chapter reviews different factors that impact whether we seek information that supports our pre-existing views (often called a confirmation bias) or are instead open to information that challenges these views. It reviews the complex empirical evidence assessing this preference and details the sometimes competing psychological processes that can drive the confirmation bias. Ultimately, it seeks to help us to leverage psychological insight to better counter this bias.

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Photo by Fujiphilm on Unsplash

Photo by Fujiphilm on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Imagine your choices as being the product of a stream of consciousness (or unconsciousness). Rewards and punishments direct the flow of the water. It's important to understand that people are not just stubbornly clinging to their existing views. Yes, we can be rewarded by certainty and punished by uncertainty. However, beliefs also serve as "social currency" that connect us to others. Who we want to connect to, including whether they are similar to us or different from us, can in turn shape the way we interact with information. We can also be, simply, overconfident. If we happen to be able to recall many justifications for a belief, we may stop there, assuming we've gotten at the entire truth of the matter, even if we haven't. Understanding these competing psychological processes can help us to bring out wiser and more balanced information-seeking in others and ourselves.