confirmation bias

Examples of confirmation bias in the following topics:

• Causes of Poor Listening

  • It can result from various psychological or physical situations such as visual or auditory distractions, physical discomfort, inadequate volume, lack of interest in the subject material, stress, or personal bias.
  • Listeners often engage in confirmation bias, which is the tendency to isolate aspects of a conversation to support one's own preexisting beliefs and values.
  • First, confirmation bias tends to cause listeners to enter the conversation before the speaker finishes her message and, thus, form opinions without first obtaining all pertinent information.
  • Second, confirmation bias detracts from a listener's ability to make accurate critical assessments.

• Expect Selective Exposure

  • Media forms such as the internet, television, and paper sources are also inclined to selective bias.
  • This article suggests that confirmation bias is prevalent in decision making.
  • Throughout the four experiments, generalization was reliably considered valid and confirmation bias was always present when test subjects sought new information and made decisions.

• Culture Bias

  • We all carry cultural biases, intentional or otherwise; try to find and address cultural bias within your speech.
  • Remember, bias doesn't necessarily mean exclusion, so bias can mean a preference for one culture over another.
  • Cultural bias exists in two forms when speaking in public.
  • There's the cultural bias you bring to the podium.
  • To overcome cultural bias, take a step back from your speech.

• Gender Bias

  • Gender bias exists because of the social construction and language of gender itself; recognize it and try to avoid it when speaking.
  • Before we can start talking about gender bias, it's first helpful to understand the concept of gender.
  • Just as you want to be cognizant and aware of the cultural biases that exist between both you and your audience, you'll want to be equally aware of how gender bias may factor into your speech.
  • Taking a step back and considering what gender bias you bring to the table, as well as what gender biases your audience might have of you is an important step in eliminating or at least addressing gender bias in your speech.
  • The late Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, faced both gender and cultural bias in her two brief terms as a world leader.

• Variations in Objectivity

  • When we are subjective in our speech, we put forth our own experience and bias into the conversation.
  • To be objective, then, is to remove yourself from your own experience and bias.
  • The reason for this is because you don't want your audience to accuse you of bias or preference as you substantiate your argument.

• Culture, Ethnicity, and Race

  • race is the primary determinant of human capacities (prejudice or bias)
  • a certain race is inherently superior or inferior to others (prejudice or bias)
  • individuals should be treated differently according to their racial classification (prejudice or bias)

• Context of Culture and Gender

  • When considering both gender and cultural contexts, we often encounter bias, both intentional and unintentional, and implicit or explicit.
  • And as much as you might be biased toward or against certain gender and cultural groups, your audience will have just as much bias as you, and in different ways.

• Evaluating Material from the Internet

  • Given the widespread authorship of the Internet, carefully evaluate all Internet sources for credibility, reliability, bias and accuracy.
  • This bias may be driven by proprietary search algorithms dictated by corporate sponsors, ad revenue, and even politics, thus affecting the type of search results your queries will display.

• Sexual Orientation

  • Speakers should be aware of the bias in the audience and in Western society in general toward hetreonomativity and heterosexism.
  • Heterosexism is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships.

• The Importance of Listening

  • The goal of this repetition is to confirm what the listener has heard and to confirm the understanding of both parties.