Confirmation bias is a natural cognitive tendency that influences how we perceive and process information. It leads us to seek out, interpret, and remember information that confirms our existing beliefs, while disregarding contradictory evidence. This bias arises from our evolutionary development, helping us make quick decisions for survival, but it can hinder critical thinking and lead to distorted perceptions of reality.
The challenge lies in our attachment to our beliefs, associating them with our identity and ego. Being proven wrong can be emotionally threatening, causing us to resist change and maintain our current beliefs. Overcoming confirmation bias requires conscious effort, self-awareness, and intellectual curiosity. By questioning our assumptions, seeking diverse perspectives, and cultivating empowering beliefs, we can break free from the confines of confirmation bias and open ourselves up to personal growth and transformative change.