Why do we think we’re always right?

In general, people tend to believe they are always right or that they have solid arguments to support their opinions, even when these are contradicted by clear evidence. Why does this happen? This phenomenon is explained by confirmation bias, a cognitive bias that influences how we perceive, interpret, and retain information.

Cognitive biases are thinking errors or distortions that occur when we perceive and interpret information from the surrounding world. They arise when the brain tries to simplify the information it has to process and act as mental shortcuts to make decisions more quickly, but which can sometimes lead to erroneous judgments or inaccurate interpretations of reality. Essentially, it's a problem of processing one's own thoughts.

There are several types of cognitive biases, such as:

- anchoring bias - this occurs when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information we receive when making decisions. For example, if you get a very high initial price offer for a product, all subsequent offers will seem reasonable compared to the initial "anchor".

- halo effect - this highlights how first impressions and prominent  traits can influence our later perceptions, having a significant impact on our decisions and judgments. Our perception of a certain trait of a person influences how we evaluate other traits of that person. For example, a person considered attractive may also be perceived as more intelligent, competent, and friendly, even if these traits are not objectively evaluated. An employee who had a notable success in one project may be seen as generally more competent and valuable to the organization, regardless of their performance in other projects.

- projection bias - the tendency to assume that others share the same beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors as we do.

- confirmation bias, etc.

Confirmation bias is a widespread psychological phenomenon that influences how we perceive, interpret, and retain information around us. It refers to our tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms our preexisting beliefs. This means that, often, we focus on information that supports our viewpoint and ignore or minimize information that contradicts it. This predisposition can lead to the formation and maintenance of erroneous beliefs and can have negative consequences in our personal and professional lives.

This tendency is an automatic and unconscious mental process that makes us prefer information that aligns with our opinions and beliefs. Thus, if you have a certain opinion about a topic, you will be more inclined to notice and give importance to information that confirms your opinion, ignoring or underestimating evidence that might contradict it.

For example, if you are convinced that a certain diet is beneficial for health, you will look for articles, studies, and personal experiences that support this belief, even if there is contrary evidence. In this way, confirmation bias contributes to the perpetuation of beliefs that are not necessarily based on objective evidence. Or, in a work context, a manager who believes that a certain employee is inefficient will notice and remember their mistakes rather than their achievements. In interpersonal relationships, people who believe they are undervalued will interpret every action of those around them as evidence of this undervaluation.

There are several reasons why confirmation bias is so prevalent in our thinking. One of the main reasons is related to cognitive economy. Our brain tends to simplify information processing to save resources. Thus, it is easier and faster to accept information that aligns with our beliefs than to analyze those that contradict them.

Another reason is related to emotional comfort. Information that confirms our beliefs gives us a sense of safety and stability, while contradictory information can cause discomfort and anxiety. Thus, we are motivated to avoid cognitive dissonance, that is, the state of tension that arises when we are confronted with contradictory information.

Moreover, confirmation bias can be influenced by social and cultural factors. We live in a society where we are constantly exposed to diverse information and opinions, and the tendency to align with our social or cultural group can reinforce confirmation bias. For example, if your group of friends has a certain opinion about a topic, you will be more inclined to seek and accept information that supports that opinion to fit in and be accepted.

Types of confirmation bias

Biased search for information - this occurs when people actively seek information that confirms their existing beliefs and ignore or avoid contradictory information. For example, a person passionate about electric cars, convinced they are the best solution for environmental problems, will look for information and focus on articles highlighting the advantages of electric cars, such as reducing CO2 emissions and lower maintenance costs, ignoring studies mentioning the environmental impact of battery production or recycling.

Biased interpretation of information - this bias manifests when people interpret ambiguous information in a way that supports their beliefs. Selective interpretation can lead to incorrect conclusions or reinforce preconceived ideas. For example, a person convinced that a certain parenting method is the best reads an article about different parenting styles. Although the article presents multiple perspectives and emphasizes that there is no universally ideal method, the person interprets all examples of success of their preferred method as the ultimate proof of its superiority.

Biased recall of information - it involves the tendency to recall information that confirms our beliefs and forget or distort information that contradicts them. This can lead to a distorted perception of reality and the reinforcement of erroneous ideas. For example, a person who believes they are not appreciated at work remembers all the moments when their colleagues or superiors did not recognize their merits, but forgets the many moments when they were praised or appreciated for their work, thus accentuating their feeling of underappreciation.

Impact and effects of confirmation bias

Confirmation bias can have multiple negative effects on our lives. One of the most evident is the distortion of reality. When we focus only on information that confirms our beliefs, we can lose sight of a complete and balanced picture of reality. This can lead to wrong decisions and the maintenance of false beliefs.

Additionally, confirmation bias can affect our interpersonal relationships. When we are convinced that we are right and ignore different viewpoints, we can become inflexible and unable to see things from others' perspectives. This can lead to conflicts and the deterioration of relationships.

Another negative impact of confirmation bias is on our learning and personal development. When we are open to new information and willing to question our beliefs, we can learn and grow. Confirmation bias prevents us from broadening our horizons and developing critical thinking.

Attitude polarization - when people with different opinions are exposed to the same evidence, it is possible for each side to focus only on the information that supports their viewpoint, ignoring the rest. This can lead to attitude polarization, that is, the accentuation and extremization of disagreements. Instead of reaching a consensus or moderating their opinions, the involved parties become even more convinced of their initial position.

Persistence of the same beliefs - even when the evidence supporting a belief is debunked or proven false, people continue to hold that belief. This is partly due to the biased interpretation of new information, which is often reinterpreted or distorted to fit preexisting beliefs. Thus, even when someone clearly demonstrates that what you believe is wrong, you continue to believe the same thing. Therefore, beliefs persist despite contrary evidence.

Primacy effect - when you receive new information, you usually give more attention and importance to the first things you hear or see, even if the following ones are more important or correct. For example, if you watch a presentation and the first five minutes are very convincing, you will be tempted to believe that the entire presentation is good, even if the rest of the presentation is less relevant or incorrect. First impressions have a significant impact on how you perceive the rest of the information.

Illusory correlation - this phenomenon occurs when you believe there is a connection between two things, even if, in reality, there is none. For example, if you notice that every time it rains, you have a bad day, you might come to believe that rain causes bad days. In reality, there is no connection between rain and your mood, but your mind more easily remembers moments that seem to confirm this connection and forgets or ignores moments that contradict it.

Ways to combat confirmation bias

Awareness of confirmation bias is the first step toward combating it. Once we are aware of our tendency to seek and accept only information that confirms our beliefs, we can start taking measures to correct this behavior.

One effective method is to deliberately expose ourselves to different information and viewpoints. Actively seeking sources of information that contradict our opinions and listening to those who have different perspectives can help us get a more complete and balanced picture of reality. For example, if you have a certain political opinion, try reading articles or watching shows that present opposing viewpoints.

It is also useful to develop our critical thinking skills. This means asking questions, analyzing evidence, and evaluating arguments before drawing conclusions. Critical thinking helps us be more objective and avoid the trap of confirmation bias. An example of a critical question could be: "What are the pieces of evidence supporting this statement? Is there evidence that contradicts it?"

Another way to combat confirmation bias is to be aware of our own emotions and their influence on our thinking. Strong emotions can amplify confirmation bias, making us even more selective in choosing information. Through mindfulness practices  and self-reflection, we can learn to recognize and manage emotions in a way that allows us to be more open and objective.

Moreover, it is important to cultivate an open and respectful discussion environment. Encouraging dialogue and the exchange of ideas in a constructive manner can create a space where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions and sharing their perspectives. This can help us enrich our understanding and correct any thinking errors.

Let's take the example of a partner who tends to believe that all the arguments in the relationship are always caused by the other partner's behavior:

-the partner acknowledges their tendency to blame the other and decides to be open to the idea that they might also contribute to the arguments;

-they read articles and books about relationship dynamics and common causes of conflicts, including those that highlight the roles of both partners;

-the partner objectively evaluates both behaviors in conflict situations and tries to identify their own contribution to the problem;

-they have open discussions with their partner about their conflicts, actively listening and trying to understand the other’s perspectives and feelings;

-reflecting on past conflicts, they realize they have sometimes ignored their own mistakes, which motivates them to approach arguments with a more balanced perspective.

Another example is a partner who believes that any social interaction of the other partner with other people is a reason for jealousy:

-they recognize their tendency to feel unjustified jealousy and decides to be open to the idea that their partner can have healthy social relationships without hidden intentions;

-reads articles and books about trust in relationships and how unfounded jealousy can negatively affect the couple's relationship;

-evaluates the real reasons behind the partner's social interactions and tries to differentiate between facts and unjustified assumptions;

-discusses with their partner about their feelings of jealousy, actively listening and trying to understand the partner's point of view and reassurances;

-reflects on past moments when jealousy created tension in the relationship and recognizes that these moments were often based on incorrect assumptions, motivating them to be more trusting and open.

Confirmation bias is an inevitable aspect of human nature, but awareness and deliberate efforts can help reduce its negative impact. By cultivating an open mind and engaging in constant critical thinking, we can learn to see the world more objectively and make better-informed decisions.

Dr. Ursula Sandner

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *