Confirmation bias

Definition

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. This psychological phenomenon plays a significant role in how people accept or dismiss folklore and urban legends, as individuals often seek out stories that reinforce their views while ignoring contradictory evidence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the context of folklore and urban legends, confirmation bias can lead individuals to believe in the truth of these stories by focusing only on examples that support their belief.
2. People often share and spread urban legends that align with their values or fears, reinforcing their existing narratives and making them more believable.
3. Confirmation bias can contribute to the persistence of myths and superstitions, as those who believe in them are more likely to seek out supportive evidence.
4. When encountering new information that contradicts their beliefs about a creature of folklore, individuals may dismiss it as unreliable or untrustworthy.
5. Studies show that people are more likely to remember vivid or emotionally charged stories related to urban legends, which can strengthen their belief through biased recollection.

Review Questions

• How does confirmation bias influence the acceptance of urban legends among different communities?
  • Confirmation bias significantly shapes how urban legends are perceived and accepted within various communities. Individuals tend to gravitate towards stories that resonate with their cultural beliefs or personal experiences, reinforcing their acceptance of those narratives. This selective engagement leads to the spread of urban legends as they are repeatedly validated by community members, while alternative perspectives are often overlooked or dismissed.
• Analyze the impact of confirmation bias on the interpretation of evidence regarding folkloric creatures.
  • The impact of confirmation bias on interpreting evidence about folkloric creatures can skew public perception and understanding. When individuals encounter information about these creatures, they may selectively focus on data that aligns with their preexisting beliefs while ignoring scientific explanations or counterarguments. This bias not only perpetuates myths but also creates a barrier to critical thinking, preventing individuals from evaluating folklore through a more objective lens.
• Evaluate the role of confirmation bias in the creation and maintenance of urban legends over time.
  • Confirmation bias plays a crucial role in both the creation and maintenance of urban legends by ensuring that these narratives evolve in ways that resonate with collective beliefs and fears. As new stories emerge, those that align with existing biases are more likely to be embraced and shared, leading to a cycle where only certain legends gain traction. This perpetuation affects how urban legends are told and retold, often amplifying certain elements while downplaying others, thus solidifying their place within cultural folklore despite the lack of factual basis.

Related terms

Cognitive Dissonance: The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs or values, often leading to an alteration in one's beliefs to reduce the discomfort.

Heuristic: A mental shortcut that allows individuals to solve problems and make judgments quickly and efficiently, often leading to biases.

Anecdotal Evidence: Personal accounts or stories used to support a claim, which can be persuasive but may not represent broader statistical evidence.