confirmation bias

Categories: Site glossary

human cognition has an in built confirmation bias – we are more likely to notice and see as significant those supporting instances that seem to confirm a belief or suspicion (taxi drivers swear a lot, it often rains on Thursdays, you cannot trust Keiths, whatever…) than non-instances (a dry and sunny Thursday…)

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.