Question

Cliff thinks the Earth is flat. When presented with information to the contrary, Cliff dismisses the evidence as untrustworthy.

What is this behavior an example of?
A) Confirmation bias
B) Critical thinking
C) Open-mindedness
D) Scientific reasoning

Answer 1

Cliff's dismissal of information that contradicts his belief in a flat Earth is an example of Confirmation bias, which is the tendency to favor information that aligns with one's existing beliefs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cliff's behavior, when he dismisses evidence contrary to his belief that the Earth is flat, is an example of Confirmation bias. This cognitive bias involves the tendency to search for, interpret, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities. Confirmation bias can lead individuals to disregard or misinterpret evidence that would challenge or refute their existing beliefs or hypotheses.