Confirmation Bias - Unit 3

C1 Advanced · Word Formation · Ready for C1 Advanced 4th Edition Workbook, Macmillan Education

For questions 1–8, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning.

SUPPORT

LOOK

INTERPRET

PERSUADE

OBJECT

PROOF

SETTLE

CONSIST

Confirmation bias is our inherent (0) ___ to seek out and recall information that confirms our pre-existing opinions and beliefs. For example, when researchers are wading through mountains of data, we tend to focus on the data that is (1) ___ of our hypothesis, while (2) ___ any evidence that appears to contradict it. Similarly, when presented with ambiguous evidence, which is open to several possible (3) ___ , we tend to perceive the one that fits our biases as much more (4) ___ . In order to counteract the harmful effects of confirmation bias, it is not enough simply to attempt to interpret data more (5) ___ . Instead, we must actively seek out evidence which (6) ___ our prior beliefs. Of course, many of us find the idea of deliberately proving ourselves wrong deeply (7) ___ , but it is infinitely preferable to the alternative: confidently publishing research which is later ridiculed by other researchers for its numerous (8) ___ .

Confirmation Bias

TEND

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