Which cognitive bias refers to the tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs?

The tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs is known as confirmation bias. This cognitive bias leads individuals to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms their preexisting beliefs and hypotheses. When individuals encounter new evidence or situations, their inclination is to side with information that aligns with what they already think, rather than considering alternatives that may contradict their views.

Confirmation bias can significantly influence decision-making and critical thinking, as it can prevent individuals from objectively analyzing situations or considering different perspectives. Recognizing this bias is crucial for effective problem-solving and for making well-informed decisions, particularly in contexts such as incident response where objective analysis is vital.

The other choices represent different cognitive biases that do not primarily focus on the affirmation of existing beliefs. Hindsight bias refers to the tendency to see events as having been predictable after they have already occurred, negativity bias describes the phenomenon where negative information has a greater impact on one's thoughts and feelings than positive information, and fundamental attribution error pertains to the tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when explaining the behavior of others. Understanding these distinctions is important for recognizing how various cognitive biases can affect perception and decision-making.