[rank_math_breadcrumb]

Beware the Algorithmic Inequality Trap

  • Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Author:  Craig Wing

Short Description

Do You Have Blinders On? | 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 […]

Do You Have Blinders On? | 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.”

 

Michelle Mace Curran | Confirmation bias

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.

Do You Have Blinders On? | Confirmation Bias | Mace Curran

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.

 

Confirmation bias

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

Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter

Author Profile

No results available

Read further articles in similar categories

The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

Similar to Beware the Algorithmic Inequality Trap

Sterling Hawkins | Predictable Results

When I first began studying nutrition in 2009 there was pretty much no mention of make your gut healthy. I TOOK THE DEEP DIVE INTO NUTRITION TO TRY AND HELP MY OWN HEALTH AND IN PARTICULAR MY MENTAL HEALTH. Since then a lot has changed and most of us now know that to maintain good […]

  • Author: Alison Canavan
Sterling Hawkins | Predictable Results

I was fantasising about a new Outlook feature today. No really, I  am that sad! Here was my fantasy, Stop inviting everyone whenever you create a new meeting event, there is a little box showing the estimated meeting cost. This cost should double as you double the length of the meeting and also double when […]

  • Author: Leon Bamforth
Sterling Hawkins | Predictable Results

On this day that has been set aside to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it’s important to note that Dr. King’s words still ring true today, It Really Boils Down to This. The power of truth does not decay with the passing of time. Dr. King’s message is proof that you […]

  • Author: Ron Garan
Sterling Hawkins | Predictable Results

It’s that time of the year for New Years resolutions again, where most of us put together a comprehensive list of resolutions and goals to be a better version of ourselves by thinking what we would ideally look like in the future: lose weight, get fitter, be a better spouse, etc and Why New Years’ […]

  • Author: Craig Wing
Sterling Hawkins | Predictable Results

Getting absolutely clear about HOW TO UNCOVER YOUR PASSION is critical to your success as an entrepreneur. You want a passion that you are willing to shout from the rooftops—that you’ll share with everyone, even strangers at a cocktail party. Why is identifying your unique passion so important? Because passion is fundamental to your forward progress. […]

  • Author: Peter Diamandis
Sterling Hawkins | Predictable Results

The Status Quo of Crisis Preparedness Puts You at a Disadvantage—and It’s Time For That To Change. Over the last couple of years, I’ve found myself increasingly frustrated with my industry, the crisis management profession. To put my frustration simply, the status quo of crisis preparedness and crisis management no longer suffices and, as a […]

  • Author: Melissa Agnes
Sterling Hawkins | Predictable Results

Executives are often presented with important staffing decisions to support the ebb and flow of their business plan and to use Event Management Company vs. Internal Team. Live events, whether it be a sales meeting or incentive trip, a user conference, or product roadshow, are often the topic of debate when it comes to staffing. […]

  • Author: WeSpeak Global
Sterling Hawkins | Predictable Results

I Got Sued YESTERDAY. Just like this headline is misleading and complete clickbait, such is the reality we are living in, and the point of this author and PAPERBACK WRITER. I clicked on a post recently after reading wild news stories ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and stumbled upon the Yahoo! article entitled: “Fans Sue Movie Yesterday”. I […]

  • Author: Jason Hewlett

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME