Breaking the Cycle: Understanding and Overcoming Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias is one of those sneaky mental habits we all fall into. It’s the tendency to look for, interpret, and remember information that backs up our existing beliefs. While it can feel satisfying to confirm what we “know,” this bias can actually distort our understanding, mess with relationships, and lead to poor decisions.

What is Confirmation Bias?

Picture this: you’re scrolling through social media and stumble upon a headline that fits perfectly with your views on a hot topic—be it health, politics, or productivity. Without a second thought, you share it, feeling validated. That’s confirmation bias at work. It’s the tendency to embrace information that agrees with us while ignoring anything that doesn’t.

In fact, the widespread presence of confirmation bias online has led to what researchers call “echo chambers,” where people are consistently exposed only to information that reinforces their existing beliefs. This is why online platforms can deepen divides and polarise views, as people are less likely to encounter diverse perspectives or question their own assumptions.

In other words, confirmation bias is our mind's habit of clinging to ideas we’re already convinced are true, often ignoring or discounting evidence to the contrary. This bias serves as a kind of mental shortcut, helping us make quick decisions by simplifying complex information. But this simplification comes at a cost: it filters reality in a way that reinforces our existing views, making it difficult to see things objectively (i.e., you’re not seeing the whole picture).

Why Do We Fall Into the Confirmation Bias Trap?

At its root, confirmation bias often comes from wishful thinking: shaping our beliefs around what’s comfortable, rather than what’s accurate. It’s a lot like optimism bias, where we hold unrealistically positive expectations.

Think of it this way: wishful thinking is basically “I want X to be true/false, so X is true/false.” With confirmation bias, it’s subtler: “I believe X is true/false, so I’ll focus on evidence that backs it up.”

As you can probably tell, confirmation bias is a deeply ingrained aspect of human cognition. Evolutionarily, it helped us feel more certain about our choices, providing a sense of mental stability and reducing the need to constantly question our beliefs, which would otherwise increase cognitive load.

The philosopher Willard Van Orman Quine offered a compelling distinction here:

The desire to be right and the desire to have been right are two desires, and the sooner we separate them the better off we are. The desire to be right is the thirst for truth. On all counts, both practical and theoretical, there is nothing but good to be said for it. The desire to have been right, on the other hand, is the pride that goeth before a fall. It stands in the way of our seeing we were wrong, and thus blocks the progress of our knowledge.

In other words, our wish to stay “right” can keep us clinging to beliefs, shielding us from the discomfort of cognitive dissonance—the mental tension we feel when new information contradicts what we thought we knew.

How Confirmation Bias Shows Up in Everyday Life

You might not realise it, but confirmation bias is everywhere. Here’s how it affects our lives:

• News Consumption: We’re more likely to share news that matches our beliefs. The issue? This creates a feedback loop where we only see information we agree with. Social media doubles down on this effect, keeping us within a comfortable bubble.
• Workplace Diversity: While confirmation bias isn’t the only reason diversity is lacking in some industries, it definitely has an impact. Take the “confidence gap” myth, for instance—this stereotype can lead to situations where women are overlooked for promotions or choose not to pursue them.
• Political Affiliations: Political parties can function like echo chambers, too. Rather than seeking diverse opinions, parties often reinforce a narrow set of views, encouraging groupthink and limiting fresh perspectives.
• Religious Beliefs: People often interpret events as support for their faith. Hardships can be seen as tests of faith, while good things might be seen as divine rewards. For non-believers, tragic events can reinforce a lack of faith, showing how bias can shape our worldviews.
• Eyewitness Testimonies: Criminal justice experts recognize that confirmation bias is often a factor in wrongful convictions. Say you witness a dog with a child. Whether you view it as a friendly interaction or a threat can depend on your views on dogs, shaping how you report what happened.

The Bigger Impact of Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias doesn’t just affect our personal beliefs—it also has a ripple effect on different areas of our lives. Here are some key ways it can shape our interactions, choices, and growth:

1. Relationships: Confirmation bias can seriously affect how we interpret other people’s actions and words. If you think someone is unreliable, you’re more likely to notice the times they’re late than the times they’re on time, reinforcing a negative impression.
2. Personal Growth and Learning: By only focusing on information that aligns with what we believe, we close ourselves off from new insights and perspectives, limiting our growth.
3. Decision-Making: Confirmation bias can lead us to overlook crucial information, resulting in poor choices. For example, if you’re convinced an investment will pay off, you might ignore red flags that could save you money.

How to Recognise and Overcome Confirmation Bias

So, how can we start noticing confirmation bias and keep it in check?

1. Practice Curiosity Over Certainty: One way to push back on confirmation bias is to approach things with curiosity. Instead of trying to validate your beliefs, explore with an open mind. Ask questions like, “What might I be missing?” or “What if the opposite is true?” This habit can help you see the bigger picture.
2. Engage with Opposing Views: Actively seeking out views that challenge your own can be incredibly helpful. Reading opposing viewpoints, discussing with others, or even playing “devil’s advocate” with yourself can help you expand your understanding.
3. Seek Evidence Against Your Beliefs: This approach, called “disconfirmation,” is powerful for breaking out of the confirmation bias loop. If you think a friend is unreliable, for example, make a point to notice when they do keep their word.
4. Use Mindfulness to Stay Present: Staying present allows us to observe our thoughts and feelings without jumping to conclusions. Mindfulness helps us catch ourselves when we’re leaning into confirmation bias and gives us the chance to pause and rethink.

Although confirmation bias is a natural part of how our brains work, it doesn’t have to run the show. By choosing curiosity over certainty, welcoming diverse perspectives, and staying mindful, we can free ourselves from the limitations of this bias. Over time, these practices lead to better relationships, smarter decisions, and a mindset that’s open to growth.