Did you know that your brain is always seeking evidence for its pre-existing beliefs?
For example:
Politics. Are you continually seeking out media that supports your political perspective?
Mercury retrograde. Do you continually look for experiences that support your belief that “bad things happen” during this astrological phenomenon?
This is what is called “confirmation bias,” the natural tendency of the human brain to seek, interpret, and even remember information in a way that confirms and supports any preexisting opinions and beliefs.
The roots of confirmation bias can be traced back to the way our brains are wired to process information. We are naturally inclined to seek consistency in our beliefs because it helps to reduce cognitive dissonance, which, in turn, helps us maintain a sense of coherence and stability in our worldview.
Psychological studies have shown that confirmation bias is even stronger for long term held beliefs and opinions that you have intense emotions about.
So, if you’ve thought something about yourself your whole life, positive or negative, you’ve been proving it true for yourself your whole life.
For example, if you believe that life is unfair, you will look to validate that view. If you’ve always seen life as abundant and full of kindness, you will find experiences to support that belief.
If you believe you can’t stick with healthy habits, you will always be able to find evidence to prove yourself right. It’s validating to be proven right. Like, “Look! See, I failed. I knew I couldn’t do it!”
But the truth is, those long-held negative beliefs you may have about yourself are not reliable objective evidence. They are confirmation bias at work.
So, it’s important to become aware of confirmation bias and recognize when you are engaging in it, especially when it comes to any negative, limiting beliefs that are keeping you stuck.
5 Signs of Confirmation Bias
1. Only seeking out information that aligns with your existing beliefs
2. Looking for evidence that confirms what you already think is true, instead of considering all of the available evidence
3. Relying on stereotypes or personal biases when evaluating information
4. Selectively remembering information that supports your views while discounting information that goes against them
5. Having strong emotional reactions, positive or negative, to information that confirms your beliefs while remaining unaffected by information that doesn’t support your beliefs
Knowing that confirmation bias exists helps us recognize it.
While confirmation bias is typically discussed as a negative tendency, on the positive side, it can help us stay confident in our supportive and helpful beliefs and values and provide us a sense of certainty and security.
That sense of security allows us to get curious about other viewpoints and other perspectives or possibilities and this can be incredibly helpful to our state of mind, emotional wellbeing and overall sense of wellness.
What are your beliefs about yourself? Do you recognize your own confirmation bias? Is it hindering or helping you?
Love, Your Wellness Coach,
Alyssa
P.S. For more, tune into podcast episode 203, “Confirmation Bias.”
November 13, 2024
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