Confirmation Bias defends one's assumptions

Confirmation bias (or “motivated reasoning”) is the tendency to search for, interpret, focus on and remember information in a way that confirms one’s assumptions and preconceptions.

In the most basic sense, confirmation bias prevents us from seeing possibilities that might challenge our assumptions, and it leads us to gather, interpret, and recall information in a way that conforms to our previously existing beliefs.^[1]

In this way, confirmation bias is a passive mindset that leads to active (motivated) reasoning that further entrenches the bias.

#cognition #bias

See also:

• Motivated reasoning is the soldier mindset
• Hanlon's razor avoids paranoia and ideology