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Week 4 Document 2

Week 4 Document 2

Q Confirmation Bias Be sure that you have interacted with all three resources posted on Blackboard and read the text section about “confirmation bias” before continuing. 1. Compare and contrast the various similar definitions of confirmation bias from the sources provided. What are the subtle differences or unique perspectives of the various definitions? What are the core ideas they have in common?2. The Psychology Today article suggests that one way to overcome confirmation bias is to “Approach life with curiosity, not conviction.” We will discover in the next chapter that this is likely a fallacy in thinking, because it creates a false “either/or” choice. In other words, we probably should approach life with both curiosity AND conviction (rather than one or the other). That being said, discuss how we should balance the role of conviction with the danger of confirmation bias. 3. Other solutions for overcoming confirmation bias are offered by the various sources. Reflect on your own life and discuss what advice is best for helping you navigate confirmation bias. If possible, give an example from your life that shows where confirmation bias is a challenge for you.

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1.Both given definitions pretty much agree on what the effect of confirmation bias is. They both refer to the fact that confirmation bias only reinforces our preexisting beliefs The article from Psychology Today defines confirmation bias more as Psychological and is natural to humans and definition by Brendan Nyhan a Political scientist approaches the definition of confirmation bias as more of an action we are more likely to take. 2.When it comes to the balance between curiosity and conviction, I believe As humans we need certain principles or convictions that are the foundation of how we make important decisions in life. So holding a conviction of commonly accepted truths as a society is a starting point. For example, my convictions are that committing murder is wrong. And regardless of where a law originated from, most of us can agree that stealing and lying are wrong as well.