Belief updating · Truth Judgment · Entry 89
Subjective Validation – when something feels true because you want it to be
Do you read a horoscope and think, ‘That’s so me!’? That’s Subjective Validation – the tendency to believe information is true if it aligns with your beliefs or desires, even if it’s vague or coincidental.
Where it can show up
- Horoscopes & predictions – generic statements seem accurate because we interpret them to fit ourselves.
- Coincidences – you connect unrelated events simply because they seem meaningful.
- Conspiracy theories – you find ‘proof’ for what you already believe while ignoring contradicting evidence.
A practical countermeasure
- Look for objective evidence – truth doesn’t depend on whether you want it to be true.
- Don’t trust everything that ‘feels right’ – just because something ‘fits’ doesn’t mean it’s real.
- Question yourself – if something seems convincing, ask: is there actual proof?