Confirmation Bias and the 2-4-6 Game: How do we Test our Perspectives?

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

The confirmation bias, our natural inclination to interpret ambiguous information and seek validation in ways conforming with our existing beliefs, plays a significant role in shaping our understanding of the world. This class activity builds on Peter Cathcart Wason's (1960) 2-4-6 Hypothesis Rule Discovery task, highlighting the importance of falsifiability in research methodology and demonstrating the role of construal shaping our social perception and choices. By introducing the confirmation bias through an engaging experience, students discover even sophisticated thinkers are prone to reasoning errors. This understanding helps us recognize the confirmation bias in various aspects of life, such as social media interactions and news consumption, and encourages critical thinking, open-mindedness, and better-informed decision-making. Ultimately, students appreciate the value of well-designed experimental tasks in explaining complex real-world phenomena, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricacies of human cognition and behavior.
Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationPromoting Psychological Science
Subtitle of host publicationA Compendium of Laboratory Exercises for Teachers of High School Psychology
EditorsRichard L. Miller
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association
Pages286-290
StatePublished - 2018

Keywords

  • confirmation bias
  • Peter Cathcart Watson
  • falsifiability
  • critical thinking

Disciplines

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Cognitive Psychology

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