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I first encountered the concept of confirmation bias during the section of the course focused on cognitive psychology and decision-making. Although I had heard the term before in everyday conversations or news, I didn’t fully grasp how deeply it affects our thinking until I explored it more thoroughly in the course. I assumed it was mainly a media issue or something that only impacted very opinionated individuals. However, I quickly realized that this bias is something we all experience unconsciously and it affects how we interpret information, remember events, and make decisions in everyday life.

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To better understand the concept, I read an article titled "Confirmation Bias: Seeing What We Want to Believe" by Jeremy Sutton (2024). The article explained that confirmation bias not only causes us to seek out information that supports our views, but also leads us to interpret neutral or opposing information in a way that favors our beliefs. This helped me realize that confirmation bias isn’t just about what we read or who we listen to, it’s about how we process information at every level.

Source: Sutton, J. (2024, March 18). Confirmation bias: Seeing what we want to believe. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/confirmation-bias/

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What stood out to me most in the article was the idea that confirmation bias can affect our relationships, memories, and even our emotional responses. For example, if I already believe that someone is selfish, I’m more likely to remember times they didn’t help me, while ignoring times they did. The article also provided practical strategies to counteract the bias, such as actively seeking opposing views, practicing open-mindedness, and using critical thinking skills.

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As a daughter, I’ve also recognized how this bias affects the way I interact with my parents. If I believe my mom is always overly cautious or critical, I might interpret her advice as controlling, even if her intentions are caring. Learning about confirmation bias has made me more empathetic, helping me separate her words from my assumptions. It’s allowed me to have more honest, understanding conversations with both my parents. For future experiences, it's important to remember to put yourself in the other persons' shoes as you don't know what they're going through.