What does 'confirmation bias' refer to?

Confirmation bias refers to the tendency of individuals to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses. This cognitive bias can lead people to overlook or dismiss evidence that contradicts their beliefs, ultimately reinforcing those beliefs rather than challenging them. For instance, if someone strongly believes in a particular theory, they may only seek out information that supports that theory while ignoring valid counterarguments or conflicting data.

The other options describe different cognitive processes or skills. For example, the ability to consider all sides of an argument involves an openness to various perspectives, which is the opposite of confirmation bias. Similarly, testing all hypotheses equally is an objective approach that minimizes bias, while synthesizing multiple viewpoints promotes understanding by integrating diverse opinions rather than focusing on confirming one's own.