A type of confirmation bias. The tendency for people to evaluate evidence non-objectively and test their hypotheses based on their personal opinions and attitudes. 

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Confirmation bias is the cognitive tendency to selectively focus on cases that validate our pre-existing intuitive beliefs while actively disregarding or forgetting cases that disconfirm them. This mental shortcut leads individuals to reinforce incorrect assumptions by ignoring contradictory evidence.

Confirmation Bias

Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience. Nelson Education.


Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience

Myside bias

We often construct memories to reaffirm our self-image or perception of our current situation. This also leads us to recall memories that confirm our self-image/circumstances more often. 

Autobiographical Memory

Similar to confirmation bias, in which people accept the information that matches their views and reject that which does not. Is distinguished by the fact that this describes people who are deliberately trying to prove their point.

Motivated confirmation bias

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates confirmation bias?

Which of the following behaviors is an example of confirmation bias?

Which of the following statements best describes confirmation bias?

Which of the following actions is an example of confirmation bias?

An illustration of confirmation bias is when a person who believes their professor is unpleasant selectively notices and remembers instances of the professor's rude behavior, while simultaneously overlooking or forgetting the numerous positive interactions the professor has with others.

Professor's Behavior as an Example of Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias serves to strengthen stereotypes by causing an individual to selectively process information. When interacting with a person from a stereotyped group, one tends to focus on behaviors that align with the stereotype while ignoring or dismissing actions that contradict it. This cognitive shortcut involves actively seeking out information that supports preconceived notions, thereby reinforcing the original stereotype.

Confirmation Bias as a Reinforcer of Stereotypes

An example of confirmation bias is the widespread intuitive belief that women are more talkative than men. Once someone adopts this belief, they are likely to selectively notice and remember talkative women and silent men, while ignoring or quickly forgetting instances of silent women and talkative men.

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