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How Confirmation Bias Shapes Our Thinking

Confirmation bias is a concept from psychology that became widely known in the early 1960s through the work of the British psychologist Peter Wason. In his experiments, he showed that people systematically search for information that confirms their existing assumptions instead of actively questioning them.

It became clear that our thinking is far less objective than we like to believe, because we tend to select and interpret information in ways that reinforce our existing beliefs. This is an unconscious thought process in which the brain looks for consistency and coherence. Everything that fits into the existing picture feels right.

Contradictory information, on the other hand, would require an adjustment of this mental framework. It creates uncertainty, challenges our worldview and demands mental flexibility. And this adjustment costs energy, because conflicting information triggers cognitive dissonance, that inner discomfort that arises when new facts disturb our established view of the world. To avoid exactly this, the brain takes a shortcut and starts filtering information selectively.

Our brain is designed to make quick decisions and recognize patterns. In a complex world with constant information overload, this mechanism is fundamentally useful. It helps us stay oriented and capable of action.

It becomes problematic, however, when efficiency comes at the expense of accuracy. When only information that fits the existing narrative is perceived, while opposing content is ignored or devalued, our perception of reality becomes distorted.

And this mechanism usually runs automatically and largely escapes conscious control. That is precisely why we often do not notice it in ourselves at all.

Why Confirmation Bias Is Easier to Spot in Others

While confirmation bias usually goes unnoticed in ourselves, we often recognize it very quickly in others. This is mainly because we are less emotionally involved. Other people's beliefs are not part of our own identity. As a result, contradictions feel less threatening and we can look at the situation more rationally.

As long as it is not a topic where we ourselves are already strongly biased, we mainly see the outcome of other people's thinking, not the actual thinking process behind it. Their statements then appear one sided, selective, or obviously biased.

With ourselves, things work a little differently. Here too, we do not consciously perceive the internal filter, but the difference is that we see the outcome of our own thinking as logical and objective. That is exactly why confirmation bias is easy to recognize in others, while we mistake it for common sense in ourselves.

You think this does not apply to you? Well, that is precisely where you can see how subtle and ever present confirmation bias really is in our thinking.

How Confirmation Bias Shows Up in Everyday Life

Confirmation bias becomes especially noticeable in topics that are personally relevant to you or emotionally charged. A good example that many of us have probably experienced is a vegan diet (meaning avoiding meat as well as all animal products) and its effects on health. Ethical aspects are left aside in this example.

Many meat eaters who would never consider becoming vegan tend to look specifically for articles or studies that highlight the benefits of meat, fish, dairy and eggs. Great protein source, filling, rich in omega 3 fatty acids and so on. All of these facts are correct and all of this is immediately seen as confirmation of their own beliefs.Negative aspects, such as the fact that heavily processed products can be harmful to health when consumed regularly, are often downplayed or ignored. At the same time, concerns about potential nutrient deficiencies in a vegan diet are strongly emphasized and used as arguments to further reinforce their own position.

The fact that certain nutrients can be supplemented without any real issues and that many people following a vegan diet are often much more engaged with nutrition, while meat eaters may experience deficiencies in some areas, is frequently overlooked, simply because it does not fit into the existing worldview.

The same mechanism works the other way around. Many vegans quickly downplay scientifically supported benefits of meat and animal products, such as more efficient protein synthesis or certain micronutrients in milk and eggs that can be beneficial for health, even though these are established facts. Here too, arguments are selectively chosen to support existing beliefs, while opposing evidence is weakened or relativized.

And the more emotionally charged a belief is, the stronger confirmation bias becomes. For many meat eaters, and equally for people who follow a vegan lifestyle, nutrition is not just about food, it is part of their identity.

Once opinions become part of one's identity, contradiction feels like a personal attack. Criticism is no longer evaluated objectively but rejected emotionally. People prefer to read articles that confirm their views, follow others who think alike and immediately accept statements that fit their own perspective as true.

And beyond nutrition related topics, confirmation bias appears in many other areas of everyday life. We often favor a political party, and when it makes decisions that are questionable, we tend to downplay or ignore them. At the same time, we often dismiss positive aspects of parties we oppose or give them little attention.

We are also biased when it comes to technical devices or brands. Products we are used to or prefer automatically seem better to us, even if others might objectively be superior. Confirmation bias really is everywhere. 

And no one is immune to it. Not even experts in their own field. In fact, they are often particularly affected, because they tend to be very confident in their position.

Digital media further amplifies this effect. Based on user behavior, likes and algorithms, we are mainly shown content that aligns with our existing beliefs. Other perspectives are increasingly filtered out, creating a kind of information bubble that further reinforces confirmation bias. (Tip: If you're searching for conspiracy theories or similar content, always use Incognito mode so the algorithm doesn’t feed you more of it).

How to Consciously Break Confirmation Bias

First of all, it's impossible to completely avoid confirmation bias. You need to be aware of that. The goal should therefore not be to think in a perfectly objective way, but to become more conscious of your own thinking tendencies.

When researching certain topics, deliberately include information that contradicts your worldview. But always keep the bigger picture in mind. Only by considering the entire body of evidence, meaning all relevant studies and data, can a topic be assessed realistically.

This way, you can better evaluate conflicting claims and avoid overvaluing individual findings. You will also see that individual statements are not necessarily wrong in many topics. Depending on the context, there is often more than one correct answer.

And even if it later turns out that your original assumption about a topic was correct, this process is still essential. It is the only way to identify potential misjudgments early on.

And if you notice confirmation bias in others, it can be tempting to argue against it directly. In most cases, however, this is not very effective, because they are too emotionally involved. It is better to stay calm and try (even if it is sometimes difficult) to understand their perspective instead of immediately contradicting or lecturing them. Ask questions or offer alternative information without direct criticism. This increases the chance that they will become more open to other viewpoints.

And always keep in mind that you yourself are not immune to confirmation bias, and that the other person in the conversation (depending on the context) may also have valid arguments or even be right. For this reason, the most important basic rule is to remain factual, calm, and as neutral as possible.

Closing Words

In the end, it's not about sticking to your beliefs. It is about facts. And facts can either be accepted or denied. That is why you should regularly question your own perspectives. Self criticism is not a sign of insecurity, but of strength, and the willingness to examine your own beliefs is a sign of intellectual maturity.