Belief updating · Confirmation Bias · Entry 25
Selective Perception – when you only see what you expect
Do you notice only what confirms your expectations while ignoring everything else? That’s Selective Perception – the tendency to filter information through existing beliefs and disregard anything that doesn’t fit.
Where it can show up
- Politics – supporters of different parties watch the same news but interpret it completely differently.
- Sports – fans believe the referee is biased against their team, even when mistakes happen on both sides.
- Personal life – someone convinced they’re unappreciated only sees signs of being ignored but overlooks praise.
A practical countermeasure
- Recognize that perception is subjective – what you see isn’t always the full reality.
- Consider alternative perspectives – try viewing the situation through someone else’s eyes.
- Be open to unexpected facts – if the data contradicts your expectations, maybe it’s not the data that’s wrong, but your filter.
