What is Confirmation Bias and How Can We Avoid It?

“Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret and recall information in a way that supports what we already believe.” -The News Literacy Project

Confirmation bias can result in the dismissal of legitimate facts and viewpoints when they conflict with our own beliefs and experiences.

It may lead us to remember information selectively, interpret information inaccurately, or fail to seek certain information altogether. This can lead to believing and sharing misinformation.

How can you avoid this?

1. Recognize that we all have confirmation bias. It is part of human nature.

2. Seek information from a wide range of reliable sources and perspectives.

3.  Look for news and information outside of social media platforms, which often feed into our biases and create echo chambers.

4. If you share news stories on social media, add more variety to your posts. Discuss why certain articles or opinion pieces broaden your point of view. 

Be a conscious media consumer. Recognize and push back against confirmation bias.

Sources:

The News Literacy Project: http://bit.ly/3YkyteR

Center for Media Literacy: https://bit.ly/3wWHP45