Confirmation biases are unavoidable. On Instagram @AndreaHardyRD, I talk all about how important it is to really know ourselves in order to get an idea what biases we have.
Comin’ in hot with confirmation bias for #SciCommunity Thursdays!????⠀
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Confirmation bias is part.of.being.a.human.????????♀️⠀
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We cannot avoid it, but rather, recognize it and put strategies into place to minimize its effect.????⠀
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Confirmation bias is a SERIOUS challenge in debunking misinformation, predominantly because of how social media algorithms work. ????⠀
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They show you posts from like-minded people who share similar beliefs. We’re literally BATHING ourselves in confirmation bias and the feeling of ‘rightness’ every time we open our social media. When you’re exposed to alternate scientific information – you lose your everloving mind! How DARE someone contradict my belief?! Usually followed by a ‘I don’t care what you say, I’m sticking to XYZ because thats my belief.’ ⠀
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???????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????. And one you might feel a bit angry towards me about (the truth will set you free but it will piss you off first, right?) ⠀
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I believe that combating biases involves both our ???? and ♥️. It takes REALLY knowing ourselves to recognize when biases are creeping in and to take action to correct it.⠀
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For me, it feels like defensiveness – usually something I feel before I have all the facts too! ????????♀️⠀
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In fact, I felt this way the other day reading a paper on FODMAPs and fibre (lol of all the things!). I noticed that sensation coming up, and knew right away I was making a judgement before collecting all the data. ⠀
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I recognized it – the paper was challenging my current belief around fibre, and I recognized I needed to shift perspective to be able to properly assess the science. Instead of becoming defensive, I got curious. Could it be true? Does the data support the conclusion? What belief would I have to give up if it were true? ⠀
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This takes a lot of work because, frankly misinformation causes the same, guttural response. ????But how will we know the difference if we don’t get clear and be open to changing our mind?????⠀
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Share below a personal experience of when you experienced confirmation bias! We will be better for it if we can admit our limitations! ????
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