According to www.dictionary.com, confirmation bias is bias that results from the tendency to process and analyze information in such a way that it supports one’s preexisting ideas and convictions.
What does that mean in construction? It can mean that if we try something new, we might give up at the first growing pain or sign of struggle saying, "I knew that wouldn't work anyway." It can also be a college educated professional assuming a craft professional is unintelligent if they fail at a task when in reality they might have failed because the college educated personal failed to provide the right tool. Confirmation bias in construction can occur in all types of positions and people.
How do you avoid this yourself? You can start by branching outside of your regular work crew, circle of friends and social media activity. Why is this? Think about if for a second - most of us work with, hang out with and follow accounts on social media that closely align with and support our currently held beliefs. When we only stick with what we know and already like, we risk living within an "echo chamber" where we get confirmation and reinforcement of our beliefs. If our beliefs aren't based 100% on facts and reality (not the reality in our head or groups), we risk thinking, living and building in a biased manner.
Want to see confirmation in action in construction? Talk to people soon after an accident or major incident. Whether involved in the project or not people generally draw conclusions that make their niche, role or discipline in the industry look best.
What if you don't think you have any bias? Well, then you're biased and you don't even know it. That thought probably isn't reality and is a bias towards your own intellect. Any of us that think we are all good, without any bad, should check out the Dunning Kruger Effect. Stay tuned for a future post on what the Dunning Kruger Effect is, how it relates to you and how understanding it can help you check your personal bias and assumptions against reality.
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