Difference between revisions of "Confirmation bias"
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(the tendency to accept reports which confirm what you already "know") |
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*Once a particular notion becomes conventional wisdom, evidence and stories confirming that conventional wisdom are easily accepted and published—and reported in the media. Those that contradict the prevailing views have a much harder time getting a hearing. [http://www.reason.com/news/show/34939.html] | *Once a particular notion becomes conventional wisdom, evidence and stories confirming that conventional wisdom are easily accepted and published—and reported in the media. Those that contradict the prevailing views have a much harder time getting a hearing. [http://www.reason.com/news/show/34939.html] | ||
| − | The opposite of bias and prejudice is being objective and even skeptical. Scientists who are open minded avidly seek data which contradict their theories - or at least the theories of their colleagues. The predominant idea in science is that if collected data contradict a prediction made by any theory, then the theory must be reevaluated or even discarded. | + | The opposite of [[bias]] and [[prejudice]] is being objective and even [[skeptical]]. Scientists who are open minded avidly seek data which contradict their theories - or at least the theories of their colleagues. The predominant idea in science is that if collected data contradict a prediction made by any theory, then the theory must be reevaluated or even discarded. |
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| + | See: | ||
| + | *[[scientific method]] | ||
Revision as of 20:58, August 22, 2007
Confirmation bias is the tendency to accept reports which confirm what you already "know", i.e., what you already feel justified in believing - while rejecting reports which contradict your beliefs.
The best scientists work extra hard to overcome this psychological tendency, while advertisers, partisans and many journalists exploit it.
Ronald Bailey wrote:
- Once a particular notion becomes conventional wisdom, evidence and stories confirming that conventional wisdom are easily accepted and published—and reported in the media. Those that contradict the prevailing views have a much harder time getting a hearing. [1]
The opposite of bias and prejudice is being objective and even skeptical. Scientists who are open minded avidly seek data which contradict their theories - or at least the theories of their colleagues. The predominant idea in science is that if collected data contradict a prediction made by any theory, then the theory must be reevaluated or even discarded.
See: