Which cognitive bias most directly explains the tendency to discontinue seeking additional information once initial evidence confirms a pre-existing belief?
Confirmation bias is the cognitive bias that most directly explains the tendency to discontinue seeking additional information once initial evidence confirms a pre-existing belief. Confirmation bias refers to the human tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs or values. This bias involves selectively seeking out, interpreting, and remembering information that supports one's own viewpoints, while simultaneously disregarding or downplaying information that contradicts them. Once initial evidence aligning with a pre-existing belief is encountered, the confirmation bias strengthens the inclination to stop searching for further information, as the individual is already satisfied with the supporting evidence. This can lead to a skewed perception of reality, where contradictory evidence is ignored, resulting in reinforced, but potentially incorrect, beliefs.