Commentary on the Gospel of
Confirmation Bias
Why do people refuse to change their perspectives, even when they are presented with hard facts against their beliefs? Psychologists cite the phenomenon of “confirmation bias”, which refers to the human tendency to perceive, welcome, interpret, and recall only such information that confirms their current beliefs and values. Any evidence to the contrary falls on the “blind spot” of our mind and we refuse to entertain them. John the Baptist came fasting, and those who didn’t like him could only see in him a possessed man. When Jesus came feasting, all they saw was a glutton! Doesn’t such confirmation bias happen in our relationship too – with our spouses, members of our community, etc.? How do we avoid it? By deliberately cultivating an attitude of humility and openness towards the other as mystery, an attitude of receptivity to daily revelations; a willingness to accept that there are many shades between black and white.
