We seek opinions that are likely to support what we want to be true.
Thomas GilovichRead
When examining evidence relevant to a given belief, people are inclined to see what they expect to see, and conclude what they expect to conclude. Information that is consistent with our pre-existing beliefs is often accepted at face value, whereas evidence that contradicts them is critically scrutinized and discounted. Our beliefs may thus be less responsive than they should to the implications of new information
Interpretation
What this quote means
People tend to favor information that aligns with their existing beliefs and dismiss contradictory evidence.
This quote by Thomas Gilovich highlights the cognitive bias known as confirmation bias, wherein individuals are more likely to accept evidence that supports their pre-existing beliefs while disregarding evidence that contradicts them. It underscores the importance of being aware of our biases when evaluating new information, as this can lead to a distorted understanding of reality and hinder personal growth and learning.
Themes
Confirmation BiasBeliefsCognitionEvidencePerception
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate, someone might quote this to highlight the dangers of ignoring evidence that contradicts a common belief.
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All quotes →People will always prefer black-and-white over shades of grey, and so there will always be the temptation to hold overly-simplified beliefs and to hold them with excessive confidence
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