Sharon believes her new work colleague,Steve,may not like her very much.One day Sharon runs into Steve in the hall and they briefly chat until Steve says that he needs to get going because he has a busy day ahead of him.Sharon feels rejected by Steve and believes his departure is evidence of his dislike for her.Sharon's response best illustrates the phenomenon of:
A) downward social comparison.
B) perceptual confirmation.
C) capitalization.
D) behavioral confirmation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sharon's interpretation of Steve's behavior as evidence of his dislike for her, despite the lack of clear evidence to support this belief, is an example of perceptual confirmation. This cognitive bias involves interpreting information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.

Sharon Believes Her New Work Colleague,Steve,may Not Like Her Very