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Confirmation Bias

Categories: Metrics, Tech

The human tendency to seek out evidence that confirms what is already believed or held to be true.

The echo chamber. Cherry-picking. In general, people don’t like to look for information that contradicts what they already hold in their minds. It’s much more ego-tickling to find people and sources who tell us we’re right.

When contradictory information does rear its ugly head, a person will often attempt to reinterpret it, discredit it, or outright ignore it…sometimes calling the information biased, which is a bit of a paradox.

In some cases, emotions flare up, fists clench, teeth grind, and communication plunges into the abyss…like in political debates.

See also: Ad Hominem Fallacy.

Find other enlightening terms in Shmoop Finance Genius Bar(f)