Confirmation Bias: The Lens That Shapes My Reality (...and Yours!)

Confirmation bias is the silent force shaping our daily perceptions, often reinforcing existing beliefs while filtering out contradictory evidence. We love people that like the same things as we do or, share the same political views etc, whilst avoiding those whose morals or values conflict with these aspects.

Breaking free from confirmation bias requires conscious effort, engaging with diverse perspectives, questioning assumptions, and embracing discomfort. Recognising how it intertwines with cognitive dissonance and misanthropy is a step toward self-awareness, fostering open-mindedness and emotional growth. In a world overflowing with information, the ability to challenge one’s own biases is a crucial skill for personal evolution. On a personal level, it influences how we interpret relationships, form opinions, and navigate life’s challenges. We gravitate toward information that aligns with our worldview, making it difficult to accept perspectives that challenge our assumptions. This mental shortcut offers comfort but can also lead to stagnation and distorted thinking. When juxtaposed with cognitive dissonance, the interplay between the two becomes apparent.

Cognitive Dissonance and Misanthropy: My Inner Struggle

Cognitive dissonance, the mental discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs, affects me profoundly, especially when combined with my borderline misanthropic tendencies, the deep-seated distrust or dislike of humanity. This psychological phenomenon, first introduced by Leon Festinger in 1957, relates that if an individual already believes that people are inherently selfish or untrustworthy, they will selectively focus on news, experiences, or behaviours that validate this perspective while ignoring acts of kindness and altruism. Over time, this negative filtering reinforces their own cynicism, making it even harder to adopt a balanced view of human nature. I’ve not always had a sceptical view of humanity, or perceiving selfishness, ignorance, and hypocrisy everywhere. Yet, I still exist in a world that demands cooperation, relationships, and compromise. The result? A near-constant battle between my convictions and my reality.

Professionally, cognitive dissonance can hit hardest in environments that require teamwork. We don’t trust people easily, yet we are expected to collaborate and pretend to care about workplace culture. It feels disingenuous. I question the ethics of corporate life, watching decisions driven by profit over principle, but I also rely on my payslip. This contradiction gnaws at me. Some days, we justify our participation (“I’m just doing what I have to”), but other days, it feels like a sellout. The tension between my ideals and my actions drains me, making me cynical and detached.

On a personal level, the contradiction can be even more frustrating. As most of us, I don’t particularly like some people, yet I still believe in meaningful relationships. I push others away, convinced that they’ll disappoint me, but then feel isolated when they do. I criticise society for being shallow and performative, but I often catch myself playing along. It’s exhausting. Do I soften my stance to make life easier, or do I embrace my misanthropy fully and risk total isolation?

The only way I manage this cognitive dissonance is by redefining my beliefs in a way that lets me function. I remind myself that not everyone is awful, just a significant number. I focus on the few I respect rather than rejecting everyone outright. Professionally, I see work as a means to an end rather than a reflection of my values. It’s not a perfect solution, but it helps me navigate a world I often find frustrating.

Cognitive dissonance is inevitable, but acknowledging it gives me some control. I will never fully resolve the contradictions within me, but at least I understand them.

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