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Confirmation bias

We tend to seek out or interpret information in a way that is consistent with our current beliefs. This can prevent us from looking for and being open to alternative explanations, and as a result, we can end up holding on to a point of view, even if significant evidence goes against it. The term was coined by British Psychologist Peter Wason in the 1960’s based on his experiments. Confirmation Bias is is often assumed to have been identified by Behavioural Economics but predates this movement by over 30 years.

 

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