Do You Have Blinders On?
as Confirmation bias is a term we’ve heard a lot over the last few years as science has become a debate topic and you hear qualified experts providing completely opposite interpretations on the same topic.
But what role does it play in your life if you aren’t doing studies and interpreting scientific data?
What is it?
The dictionary definition of confirmation bias is “the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with one’s existing beliefs.
This biased approach to decision making is largely unintentional and often results in ignoring inconsistent information.” How does it impact us? Turns out this bias affects our lives and our decisions on a regular basis. How we consume news and social media are obvious examples.
A less polarizing example is how we interpret other’s reactions to us. If you worry a lot about what people think and are self-conscious you may interpret the same situation very differently from someone who is confident.
Let’s say your normally friendly co-worker is a bit short with you at the office then doesn’t respond to a text later that evening. Person A who has many insecurities may conclude the coworker is mad at them or no longer wants to be friends.
Person B who doesn’t have these insecurities may interpret this interaction as an indicator the coworker is stressed or extremely busy that day. The exact same interaction can change the relationship between these two people depending on how it is received.
Airborne, how we receive information and interpret it can make us very effective pilots or send us down a dangerous path. In situations where a lot of information is coming at you quickly our brains are primed to use confirmation bias as a mental shortcut to help us process things.
In this fast-paced environment one of the most effective ways to improve performance is through preparation. However, we can prepare to a point that limits our flexibility to adapt and closes our mind to unexpected new information.
As a pilot check rides are a necessary evil. No one enjoys them, but we understand why they’re there. No matter how many you have done they are stressful.
Personally, I would spend a ton of time preparing, chair flying…visualizing every part of the flight. One checkride in particular, I took off, flew the departure, went out and did all the required items, and it was going great.
I was prepared. I had rehearsed. Feeling good about how the flight was going, I returned to the airfield and started maneuvering to enter the pattern for the runway I had departed from. The controller said something about a point that was part of the pattern for the opposite runway. I assumed they must have misspoken.
A few more things were said that didn’t quite make sense, but I ignored them. I had rehearsed this. I knew where to go and what to do. Suddenly, my evaluator said calmly, “Mace, they switched runways.” It was like a lightbulb turned on.
They had switched which runway they were landing on since we had taken off. It had been there right in front of me. So many radio calls that made it obvious, but I had rehearsed. I knew where to go.
I had blinders on. I was so prepared and so focused on the plan that I ignored all the evidence that the plan needed to change. Prepare, but don’t let that preparation blind you to evidence that the plan needs to change.
How can I prevent it?
In your day-to-day life do your research, form your opinions, but don’t let what you know to be true now keep you from new evidence that should cause you to reevaluate in the future.
Our thoughts don’t always align with facts. Some questions we can ask to help ensure we aren’t headed down a rabbit hole thanks to our own biases are:
Do I have a vested interest in only seeing this one way?
Am I only surrounding myself with people or sources with one opinion?
Would I be willing to change my mind if someone presented proof that I was wrong?
What evidence are people on the other side basing their opinions on?
What source is the evidence I used to form my opinion coming from? These are questions that can help us keep an open mind.
Be willing to be proven wrong. Be excited to be proven wrong, because if you are you just learned something. I liken it to walking around with broccoli in my teeth. If I am, I want someone to tell me because I look foolish and don’t even know it.
If there is evidence that shows I am wrong, I want to know because I look foolish and don’t even know it. Article written by Michelle “MACE” Curran an Inspirational speaker with Speakers Inc
Contact us at Speakers Inc and click here to find more Motivational Speakers
No results available
Looking to motivate a group of employees, students, or even donors? Speakers Inc has a wide selection of New York Motivational Speakers that you can book for any event: business functions, school assemblies, graduations, charitable fundraisers, and more. Find one in New York today! New York City is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the […]
Duane Rockwell: The Ideal Atlanta Wedding Emcee and DJ When planning a wedding, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make is selecting the right Atlanta Wedding Emcee and DJ. The individual you choose will set the tone for your celebration, ensuring everything runs smoothly and that your guests are entertained from start to finish. […]
Mastering the Art of a Business Emcee New York: Elevating Conferences with Speakers Inc In the bustling metropolis of New York, where innovation and business convergence are the heartbeat of the city, the role of a Business Emcee takes center stage. As a pivotal element in orchestrating conferences and corporate events, a skilled emcee plays […]
Hey there, are you a white person wondering what to do as an ally for Black people right now? A lot of my white friends have been asking, you’re not alone. I’ve received several questions from friends wanting to do something so I thought I’d compile these all on one place. This is the work […]
Last month, something happened to me at an event that hasn’t happened in well over a decade and How to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking. I wish it were something cool like audience members throwing money and candy at me as they cheered “Bravo!” and “Encore!” But that’s never happened, and probably never will. […]
The Cost of Neglecting Customer Experience in today’s competitive events industry, customer experience (CX) has emerged as a defining element of success. Event planners and bookers are no longer evaluated solely on logistics or creativity; instead, they are judged by the overall experience they provide—from the first point of contact to the post-event follow-up. Neglecting […]
Inspiring Leadership: A Deep Dive into the Top Military Speakers in North America Top Military Speakers possess a unique ability to captivate audiences with their stories of leadership, resilience, and dedication to a greater cause. In North America, a diverse array of military leaders, veterans, and experts take the stage to share their insights, experiences, […]
Transforming Mindsets: How Motivational Speakers Fuel Personal and Professional Growth In a world defined by rapid technological advances, shifting global markets, and increasingly competitive work environments, cultivating the right mindset has become more crucial than ever. Organizations and individuals alike are discovering that technical knowledge and hard skills alone are not enough to navigate ever-evolving […]
No results available
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel