Confirmation Bias

Definition

Confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or values while disregarding or minimizing contradictory evidence. This psychological phenomenon can significantly influence how characters are developed and portrayed, affecting their decisions, relationships, and story arcs. Understanding confirmation bias is crucial in psychological profiling as it helps to create realistic characters who react predictably based on their beliefs and motivations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Characters exhibiting confirmation bias may selectively recall events that support their views, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts with others.
2. Confirmation bias can lead characters to misinterpret situations or dismiss evidence that contradicts their beliefs, resulting in poor decision-making.
3. This bias often manifests in interpersonal relationships, where characters might struggle to accept differing opinions, creating tension and drama.
4. Writers can use confirmation bias to enhance character development by showing how a character's rigid beliefs shape their actions and relationships throughout the narrative.
5. In storytelling, confirmation bias can serve as a plot device, driving conflicts and misunderstandings between characters who hold opposing views.

Review Questions

• How does confirmation bias affect character decision-making and relationships within a story?
  • Confirmation bias influences how characters make decisions by causing them to prioritize information that supports their existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence. This can lead to flawed choices that create conflict in relationships, as characters may misinterpret others' intentions or actions. For instance, a character convinced of their superiority may overlook constructive criticism, straining their interactions with others who try to help them.
• Discuss how a writer can effectively portray a character's confirmation bias in a narrative.
  • A writer can portray a character's confirmation bias through their dialogue, thoughts, and reactions to events. By showcasing instances where the character dismisses opposing viewpoints or selectively recalls supportive information, the writer highlights the character's mental filters. Additionally, including scenes where this bias leads to conflict or misunderstanding can emphasize its impact on the character's development and relationships within the story.
• Evaluate the broader implications of confirmation bias on storytelling and audience perception.
  • Confirmation bias not only shapes character dynamics but also affects how audiences engage with a story. Viewers may identify with characters who reflect their own biases, reinforcing their perceptions and interpretations of the narrative. Writers can leverage this by crafting multi-dimensional characters whose biases challenge audiences to reflect on their own beliefs. This creates deeper engagement and invites critical thinking about differing perspectives within the storyline.

Related terms

Cognitive Dissonance: A psychological phenomenon that occurs when an individual experiences discomfort due to holding conflicting beliefs or values, leading them to seek consistency.

Attribution Theory: A framework for understanding how individuals interpret events and behaviors, often influenced by their biases and beliefs.

Selective Exposure: The practice of seeking out information that aligns with one's existing beliefs while avoiding information that challenges those beliefs.