confirmation bias

American  

[kon-fer-mey-shuhn bahy-uhs] / ˌkɒn fərˈmeɪ ʃən ˌbaɪ əs /

noun

Psychology.

1. bias that results from the tendency to process and analyze information in such a way that it supports one’s preexisting ideas and convictions: Unfortunately, their experimental method was proven invalid due to confirmation bias.

   Confirmation bias is a major issue when we get all our news from social media sites.

   Unfortunately, their experimental method was proven invalid due to confirmation bias.

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Etymology

Origin of confirmation bias

Coined in 1960 by English psychologist Peter Wason

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

confirmation bias

Today’s media-verse is so fractured and bifurcated along political lines, I just assumed that confirmation bias would drive most folks toward friendly sources, i.e. what they want to hear.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

Finance textbooks teach you about confirmation bias and expected value.

From MarketWatch ● May 12, 2026

AI’s sycophancy reinforces human confirmation bias, but users can employ tactics to counteract this tendency.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 21, 2026

A preliminary review by the policing watchdog found "confirmation bias" influenced the decision to bar supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending Villa Park.

From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026

Thanks to cognitive biases like confirmation bias, they might even appear to work.

From Salon ● Apr. 27, 2024