148. Kahneman was interested in the way the psychologists in Ward Edwards's lab were unable "to face the evidence of their own folly" (148). He went on to conclude that "This is what happens when people become attached to a theory. They fit the evidence to the theory rather than the theory to the evidence. They cease to see what's right under their nose" (149).
Another name for this tendency to look for evidence that supports your theory is Confirmation Bias. Not surprisingly, many people would have no difficulty pointing out someone else's confirmation bias. But far fewer people are able to admit their own confirmation biases.
Have you ever abandoned a theory that you held onto for some time in the face of conflicting evidence?
I have most defiantly done this more times than I could count. Most of the time I do it when I am in an argument with a friend or family member. They can give whatever evidence they would like, but at that point in my head it is too late to turn around. I would rather sit there and argue with a friend or family member indefinitely (most of the time they give up and say I would argue with a brick wall at about five minutes in) than to just say I was wrong. It’s not really that I was wrong that I do not like more so that they were right.
ReplyDeleteRiley Knickmeyer
When I was in high school, I wrote an essay on confirmation bias. At the time, I had not heard of the idea nor was mindful of its influence on society. However, during the process of writing my paper, I was revealed to its heavy presence in our everyday thinking, probably most surprisingly in my own. I discovered that several of my opinions were grounded in evidence that only supported my side. These instances of my confirmation bias have occurred most often in arguments with my brother, and, in many cases, I am forced to abandon my theories due to the strong opposing evidence he offers (although I put forward long debates before finally yielding to his side). In addition to this discovery, I evaluated some of my core beliefs and was surprised to find that I relied on little evidence to support them. While I have gathered more information about these fundamental beliefs since then, I have not abandoned many of them. Nevertheless, this experience has encouraged me to consider more thoroughly my opinions, beliefs, and arguments, and the reasons I hold them.
ReplyDeleteI feel like there are multiple times I can think of where I have been proven wrong in an argument and therefore abandoned any ounce of truth I thought I knew. It is easy for me to accept that I am wrong if the evidence I am presented with contradicts what I have been saying. Although if it is with my siblings I may claim what they are saying is false just because it would annoy them. Other than that I am always open to being taught new things and am open to constructive criticism.
ReplyDelete-Olivia Watters
I tend to have confirmation bias when it comes to topics I’m sensitive about, and I’m realizing that now. I have had to retract statements I’ve made about things like God saying being gay is a sin, as it is listed in the New Testament. However, my mom pointed out that the one that said that, Paul, was an Old Testament Jew, and that when it was first said, it was to get God’s people through the desert and to David’s time without anything bad happening. I have abandoned some theories, though, when I’m shown a lot of evidence that it’s wrong. I try to take everyone’s words and opinions into account when having any kind of discussion, but I do see where my confirmation bias can get in the way.
ReplyDeleteI have had a similar experience in my beliefs as well. However, when someone goes against my beliefs, my first thought is always “God tells us to love first, no matter the circumstance.” It can be hard to hear an argument and know from a Christian bias that it is “wrong.” But I also believe that as Christians we must be open and accepting of everyone!
DeleteI am a grumpy old man when it comes to my opinions. I can not, off the top of my head, think of any biases, BUT I am more than certain they are there. It would be foolish and arrogant to believe one's self to be above a statistic.
ReplyDeleteI just hope that when I am challenged on something and do happen to be set in an incorrect or boxed way of thinking that I can humble myself to admit defeat and change for the better!
-Elijah Woodward.
Thanks for the comment, Elijah. I agree that it would be foolish and arrogant to believe oneself to be above a statistic. Personally, I would much rather abandon my own opinions based on evidence. I too hope that, once challenged, I will be unashamed to admit defeat.
DeleteIn many instances, no. That being said, in the two EQ classes I’ve taken, there have been multiple times where I harbored a misconception that was later overturned. Such is the case with eye-opening classes.
ReplyDelete-Darian Shaw