Confirmation bias: A ubiquitous phenomenon in many guises
Nickerson reviews experimental and applied evidence on confirmation bias, the tendency to seek and interpret evidence in ways that favour a prior belief or expectation. The review covers many forms of the bias, gives examples from everyday and professional settings, considers possible causes and asks whether the tendency has any use. Among the work he reports, people tend to notice and recall information that fits existing views, and this can happen without deliberate intent; in a mock jury study, participants recalled statements consistent with their chosen verdict as having been presented, including some that were not.
Nickerson reviews experimental and applied evidence on confirmation bias, the tendency to seek and interpret evidence in ways that favour a prior belief or expectation. The review covers many forms of the bias, gives examples from everyday and professional settings, considers possible causes and asks whether the tendency has any use. Among the work he reports, people tend to notice and recall information that fits existing views, and this can happen without deliberate intent; in a mock jury study, participants recalled statements consistent with their chosen verdict as having been presented, including some that were not.
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Nickerson, R. S. (1998). Confirmation bias: A ubiquitous phenomenon in many guises. Review of General Psychology, 2(2), 175-220. doi:10.1037/1089-2680.2.2.175 https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.2.2.175