According to the dictionary, the word bias simply means a preference or an inclination, especially one that inhibits impartial judgment.
For example, you might have a favorable impression of the teaching profession because your mother and wife are both in that field.
Or, you might asked to be excused from participating as a juror given your bias against cops following a bad experience you had with a security guard at your school.
Confirmation bias, moreover, is the tendency to search for, favor, interpret, and remember information in such a way as to confirm one's preexisting hypotheses or beliefs, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities.
The perfect example? Politics.
Democratic voters tend to get their information from liberal-leaning networks like CNN and MSNBC while Republicans opt for conservative channels like Fox News.
Indeed, we trust and recall information that fits in with our existing world view while discounting information that calls our beliefs into question.
For instance, if I'm steadfast in my belief that all forms of abortion should be banned and that everyone -- no matter their wealth/income bracket -- should be taxed equally, I'm much more likely to feel at home with Fox News, whose programming supports such conservative positions.
To give you another example, if one is a staunch vegetarian or environmentalist, they're likely to join groups and support causes that reinforce their already entrenched views.
While confirmation bias seems to be a tactic we all employ, it's important we try to keep an open mind.
We can consider other views and possibilities without necessarily abandoning ours.
For example, you might agree that the Democrats' push for improving/rebuilding our infrastructure is actually sound, but you might take issue with the huge amount of money they wish to pour into such public works projects.
The key is to try to see things from the other side's point of view rather than allowing ourselves to become adamantly opposed to dissenting opinions.
Sensitive topics like politics and religion are ones that should be avoided if possible lest the conversation devolves into a spirited shouting match that can stretch even the strongest relationship to the limit.
Now, if both individuals can agree to have a civil discussion where both sides' points of view are considered and respected, I'm all for it.
We should all aim to be like Voltaire, who once quipped, "I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it."
We are more likely to get better results when we exhibit humility, acceptance, and empathy than when become locked in our own limiting biases.
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