Therapy Toronto Psychotherapy Definitions

Bias

Bias refers to the human tendency to make decisions without awareness of the forces that cause us to choose one over another.

Examples of some common bias factors are listed below:

Anchoring bias: When we put too much value on a single reference source or any one piece of ‘evidence’ to make a decision, we are biased by an anchor.

Authority bias: When we value the opinions of a supposed authority or expert in a field we know very little about, we are relying on an authority to guide us.

Belief bias: The plausibility or pleasingness of a conclusion makes us think an argument is valid through our desire to believe it.

Confirmation Bias: When we seek and find information to confirm existing beliefs, or to overturn contrary information, we exhibit our desire to avoid having to change our original opinions.

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