What does confirmation bias influence an individual to do?

Confirmation bias is a cognitive phenomenon where individuals tend to favor information that supports their existing beliefs or hypotheses while disregarding or minimizing evidence that contradicts them. This bias significantly influences how people search for information and interpret it.

When someone exhibits confirmation bias, they are more likely to actively seek out and give more weight to data or opinions that reinforce their already held views. This can manifest in various contexts, such as political beliefs, health decisions, or personal relationships. For example, if a person believes in a certain nutritional supplement's efficacy, they may focus on studies supporting its benefits while overlooking research that highlights potential risks or ineffectiveness.

The nature of confirmation bias leads to selective exposure to information, creating an echo chamber effect where one's biases are continuously validated instead of challenged. This behavior can impede critical thinking and reasonable decision-making, as it narrows the perspective one considers, further entrenching the individual’s beliefs.

Thus, the influence of confirmation bias mainly drives individuals to seek out and reaffirm their preconceptions, shaping their worldview in a biased manner.