Conformation Bias

Conformation Bias

For this assignment, I am to discuss how conformation bias can influence perceptions and how some beliefs can actually generate their own conformation. According to Myers, our text states that conformation bias is a tendency to search for information that confirms one’s preconceptions. (pg.79). That being said conformation bias can influence perceptions about not only what has already happened but will happen in the future. Sometimes some of the conformation bias will generate to make their own conformations. (Myers Pg. 70-72). Overconfidence is the first step in the conformation bias phenomenon. This is where overconfidence originates in a lack of knowledge regarding a topic of discussion or simple types of tasks. In this meaning, if and individual was to ask someone who was severely over confident if they were able to achieve such a task that they had never done before nor heard of, the individual would most likely say “yes” they could do it because they are overly confident that they would be good at it. The overconfident individual maybe blind to the fact that the tasks maybe harder than what their thought or memories may seem. According to Myers, (Pg.75) Remembering times when we were “almost” right.

There may be times when we were want to remember things that we only want to rather than the true facts of what happened. Some may even lie to themselves to make things seem more real or have a better outcome. The intellectual conceit is evident in judgments of past knowledge extends to estimate the current knowledge and predictions of the future and this is also a part of the conformation bias. That in term would be like we all know when we have messed up in our lives, but because we may want change we keep a positive outlook for our future expectations.

References: Myers, D.G. (2012). Exploring Social Psychology (6th edition). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill