Amira notices a lump in her breast, but convinces herself that it was always there. As she continues to examine her breasts monthly, the lump remains and seems larger, but each time Amira finds a way to explain it away--the lump is just a result of the uncomfortable bra she was wearing, the lump is connected to her menstrual cycle, and so forth. In fact, she never has the lump investigated because she interprets the lump in terms of her belief that she is "healthy." Amira has succumbed to which social psychological error in thinking?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Amira has succumbed to confirmation bias, as she is selectively searching for information (or lack thereof) that confirms her belief that she is healthy and dismissing information (the lump in her breast) that contradicts this belief.

Amira Notices a Lump in Her Breast, but Convinces Herself