What is the primary outcome of the Confirmation Bias?

The primary outcome of the confirmation bias is selective attention to supporting evidence. This cognitive bias causes individuals to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or hypotheses while disregarding or minimizing contradictory information. As a result, people often seek out, interpret, and remember information that aligns with their views, reinforcing their existing beliefs and contributing to a more narrow perspective.

This inclination can lead to skewed reasoning and decision-making processes, as individuals ignore or rationalize away evidence that does not support their established viewpoints. The tendency to focus on confirming evidence can hinder open-mindedness and discourage the examination of alternative perspectives or new experiences. Consequently, those affected by confirmation bias may struggle with critical thinking and problem-solving, as they are less likely to consider all aspects of an issue or incorporate diverse viewpoints.