When We Only See What We Expect: Exploring Confirmation Bias

Vicki

You know that feeling when you search for something online, and the first article you find seems to confirm exactly what you already believed? That instant sense of 'See, I knew it' — that’s confirmation bias at work.

Eric Marquette

Absolutely. But to put it in more technical terms, confirmation bias is essentially our tendency to seek out, notice, or even recall information that aligns with our existing beliefs. It's like our minds are playing favorites with facts.

Vicki

And it doesn’t stop there! Think about something simple, like picking a restaurant for dinner. You might read a hundred glowing reviews and completely brush off the one person who says it’s overrated.

Eric Marquette

A fair point. And it’s not just limited to small choices like dining. It becomes even more concerning when we do the same thing with news, sticking to sources that align with our views and quietly ignoring perspectives that might challenge us.

Vicki

It’s almost automatic — you scroll through your feed, find something that agrees with you, and immediately feel validated, like, 'See? I was right all along.

Eric Marquette

Precisely. But the issue is, it creates this illusion that what we believe must be true because we're reinforcing it over and over. It narrows our view of the world, making it harder to see a fuller picture.

Vicki

I think we’ve all been there. It’s comfortable to stick with what already makes sense, and it can feel easier not to challenge it.

Eric Marquette

That's an important observation—comfort. It's not always about being stubborn or close-minded. Sometimes it's simply easier to stick to familiar ideas rather than stretch our thinking. But that’s where we need to pause and ask ourselves thoughtful questions.

Vicki

It makes you think — when was the last time I actually looked at a different perspective without immediately dismissing it?

Eric Marquette

And that’s a brilliant starting point—being honest with yourself about those moments. From there, you open the door for better understanding and, well... genuine growth.

Eric Marquette

And once we start asking those questions, it helps to understand why confirmation bias happens in the first place. At its core, it’s about efficiency. Our brains are wired to conserve energy, so we tend to rely on mental shortcuts, which psychologists often refer to as cognitive heuristics.

Vicki

Right — it’s as if your brain recognizes something familiar and reassures itself, 'This fits; there’s no need to overthink it.'

Eric Marquette

Exactly. It’s like—rather than re-examining every single bit of new information, our brains naturally favor what feels familiar and affirming. It’s a survival mechanism of sorts, but in today’s complex world, it can backfire.

Vicki

And emotions play a significant role here too, don’t they? Once you’ve invested in something, it’s hard to face the possibility that you might have been wrong, and that can sting.

Eric Marquette

Precisely. Emotional comfort plays a major role. Holding on to familiar beliefs shields us from the discomfort of uncertainty or challenging our ego. Take, for example, a project team. Have you ever seen a group ignore critical feedback just because they were so personally invested in their idea?

Vicki

Exactly — like when someone points out, 'This might not work,' but the group responds, 'We’ve already put in so much effort, we’re sticking with it no matter what.'

Eric Marquette

That’s a perfect example. Emotional investment can cloud judgment, even when the signs are right there. And it happens to everyone. No one’s immune.

Vicki

It’s understandable — it’s easier to avoid anything that challenges what you already believe. Facing that kind of stress isn’t exactly something most people look forward to.

Eric Marquette

True. But the trade-off is, if we’re not careful, we lose out on seeing the bigger, clearer picture. And sometimes—more often than we like to admit—that’s where the most valuable insights are.

Eric Marquette

That’s exactly where the challenge lies—and it also opens the door to solutions. So, let’s dive into practical ways to step outside of our confirmation bias, yeah? For instance, here’s a key question to consider: “What perspectives might I be avoiding?”

Vicki

Just hearing that already feels kinda uncomfortable. But... I mean, that’s probably the point, right? If it’s too comfy, then you’re probably not breaking out of it.

Eric Marquette

Precisely. It takes effort, but it’s worth it. Once you start recognizing those blind spots, you can actively seek out perspectives that challenge your own. It’s not about agreeing with everything—it’s about expanding your understanding.

Vicki

Right, so instead of only following your favorite influencers or relying on the same trusted news source, you intentionally ask, 'What’s the other side saying?' Even doing that once in a while can make a difference.

Eric Marquette

Exactly. Think of it as exercising curiosity. And history is full of examples of people who’ve done this. Think about scientists who challenged the conventional wisdom of their time. You know, figures like Galileo—he questioned what everyone believed back then. That curiosity changed history.

Vicki

Or think about activists who stood up and challenged the system, even when the world insisted, 'This is just how it is.' Real change didn’t happen by accident — it started with someone brave enough to ask, 'Is this really the whole picture?'

Eric Marquette

And that openness to challenge the norm? That’s where real growth happens. It’s not meant to be easy, but the benefits of seeing a bigger, clearer picture far outweigh the discomfort of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Vicki

Yeah, even if it’s just one step at a time, right? Asking questions, staying curious... and being open to the idea that, hey, I might not know everything. That’s kinda freeing when you think about it.

Eric Marquette

It really is. Because with every step towards understanding, you’re not just growing wiser—you’re also building better connections with the world around you.

Vicki

And honestly, stepping outside those comfortable little bubbles is absolutely worth it.

Eric Marquette

On that note, that’s all for today. Stay curious, keep asking those questions, and we’ll see you next time.