Which term describes the tendency to disregard information that contradicts personal beliefs?

The term that best describes the tendency to disregard information that contradicts personal beliefs is confirmation bias. This cognitive phenomenon occurs when individuals favor information that confirms their existing beliefs and values while dismissing or undervaluing evidence that contradicts those beliefs. Confirmation bias can lead to flawed reasoning and decision-making because it limits the consideration of a broader range of perspectives and factual information.

For instance, in psychological research or any belief system, when a person holds a specific viewpoint, they may selectively seek out information, such as studies or articles, that support that viewpoint and ignore or rationalize away evidence that challenges it. This bias can significantly impact how people interpret findings and engage with new data, often maintaining misconceptions and reinforcing stereotypes.

In contrast, scientific skepticism encourages critical thinking and an open-minded approach to evaluating evidence, while random sampling refers to a method used in research to select participants without bias. Correlational bias concerns the misinterpretation of the relationship between variables, but it does not specifically address the tendency to ignore contrary information in the context of personal beliefs.