COMSOC 321 1st Edition Lecture 11Confirmation Bias (As a source of noise or as an obstacle )Bias in Human Judgment Our perceptions of the world (and people) are influenced by beliefs, values, individual needs and desires;we are “correct”; others are “wrong”.• We see ourselves positively and believe that this is an objective evaluation; “better than average”• We believe that other people over-rate themselves• We deny we are prejudice or that we have stereotypes• We believe other people have biases, and are more biased than ourselves• People from our in-group are “correct” and people from out-groups are “wrong”• People who don’t agree with us are biased; we are objective• Our reactions are defensive rather than aggressive; out-groups are aggressive. Confirmation Bias• Our tendency to seek out, process or perceive, and remember information to confirm or reinforce existing beliefs, behavior, world views and culture.• “The human understanding when it has once adapted an opinion… draws all things else to support and agree with it. And though there be a greater number and weight of instances to be found onthe other side, yet these it either neglects or despises, or else be some distinction sets aside or rejects.” –Sir Francis Bacon, 1620Cognitive Dissonance Theory• dissonance is aroused when a person has two or more related cognitions, simultaneously held, that contradict each other. Examples• Dissonance is an uncomfortable drive state.• Dissonance can be resolved by changing a belief of beliefs (cognitions) to make the consonant (EXAMPLES); or by selective exposure.These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.• Selective exposure and attention: we seek out or pay attention to information supporting existing beliefs and values; we avoid information that contradict existing beliefs and values. o Example wanting to be healthy but smoking He could stop smoking? Political conservative, probably would watch fox news or MSNBC Political liberal MSNBC over fox
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