A patient is initially diagnosed with influenza, but later tests indicate that the patient may be suffering from strep throat. The patient continues to believe she has influenza. This is an example of:

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Anchoring bias is a cognitive bias that causes people to rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive. In this case, the patient was initially diagnosed with influenza, and this information became the anchor for her beliefs. Even when later tests indicated that she may be suffering from strep throat, she continued to believe she had influenza.

A Patient Is Initially Diagnosed with Influenza, but Later Tests