Author Topic: confirmation bias, street people, US election, etc  (Read 2174 times)

scrubbyfish

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confirmation bias, street people, US election, etc
« on: June 20, 2016, 11:31:30 PM »
The topics of confirmation bias, whether to give to street people, etc, have come up many times on AAM, so posting this article here. It's by Andrew Hallam, author of The Millionaire Teacher, a favourite of many of us. Article published today on Asset Builder.

https://assetbuilder.com/knowledge-center/articles/why-a-responsible-opinion-is-tougher-than-we-think

I think a number of folks here will note having some of the same thoughts, feelings, and experiences that Hallam had.

ysette9

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Re: confirmation bias, street people, US election, etc
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2016, 10:22:37 AM »
Good article and I completely agree. I can even recognize this process in play in my own mind when reading something that I don't like because it doesn't align with what I perceive the world as being. My hope is to remain open-minded but the truth is that I definitely a biased and stubborn as so many others out there. Hopefully there is room in there for me to learn new ideas and have my mind changed.

Interestingly, I have found some of my positions changed by listening to episodes of Freakonomics podcast. The formula for me seems to include a source I believe is reputable, lots of research/data, and a calm delivery by someone who isn't projecting a desire to change my mind.

What about others? What will change your mind?

scrubbyfish

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Re: confirmation bias, street people, US election, etc
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2016, 10:38:41 AM »
My hope is to remain open-minded but the truth is that I definitely a biased and stubborn as so many others out there.

I think this ^ is the most important piece. Acknowledging *that* we have biases, prejudices, starting points. When we do that, we can enter peaceful, calm, sincere dialogue, especially with people who are likewise acknowledging a subjective stance as a starting point. From there, everything is possible.

When we view our way (in any topic) as objectively right, we preempt dialogue—with ourselves even before we do with anyone else!

What about others? What will change your mind?

For me, direct experience, and the direct experience of people I have reason to trust the accounts of. Also, questions. Calm, intelligent, thought-provoking questions that lead me to reflect.

Metric Mouse

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Re: confirmation bias, street people, US election, etc
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2016, 12:25:33 AM »
What about others? What will change your mind?

Arguing. Arguing changes my mind. If I'm having a discussion with someone who presents ideas I hadn't considered or offers points I can't counter, I may begin to think that perhaps my specific stance on an issue could be modified. I'm wrong pretty often, but I'm unafraid to keep the discussion going until I'm satisfied I understand the issue more fully and can then defend my 'evolved' position properly.

 

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