a type of selective thinking whereby one tends to notice and to look for what confirms one's beliefs, and to ignore, not look for, or undervalue the relevance of what contradicts one's beliefs.Expose yourself to new ideas. Students tend to think of economics in terms of the Democrat and Republican debate. Although economists are often partisans, their debates frequently turn on a different axis. For example, economists might debate the relative effectiveness of monetary policy and fiscal policy in achieving full employment. Both a Democrat and a Republican might favor stimulative fiscal policy but differ on who gets tax cuts. Many of the economists who believe that fiscal policy is effective may not like the tax cut plans of either party.
Greg Mankiw recently posted a letter from the "perfect" student in A Question about Learning Economics, or at least that's how I think the student. The student reads books by economists with very different perspectives, and respectfully engages professors in discussions. The student mentions having a professor who was a Friedman disciple and another who was New Keynesian. Mankiw's reply is sold. In part, he writes,
You are lucky that you have professors with different viewpoints. Your job, as a budding economist, is to learn from all of them. Ideally, at the end of the day, you should be able to understand and appreciate (although not necessarily agree with) each point of view. You should try to construct in your mind a debate between your Friedmanite professor and your Keynesian professor. What points would each raise, and how would the other respond?In a valuable EconTalk, Ian Ayers suggests that listeners attempt to name things that they have learned but that they don't like. If you can't think of any, you are a biased consumer of education.
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In concurrence with Greg Mankiw, it is beneficial to have several economists with different opinions to view. For example, if there were not different scientifical beliefs throughout history we would not know what we do at present-day. We would not know the world is round, that there are other planets throughout our galaxy , or that everything that goes up must come down. If everyone believed the same ideas we would still be stuck in the same spot apprehensive to explore or advance our technology. Having different proposals from numerous economists are beneficial to the world. We can note how each think on certian views and invest our money into which is best for us.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that students should avoid confirmation bias. If a person is constantly noticing things that confirms one's beliefs they will never see a different point of view. I think it is wonder for a person to read books about the same subject but by different authors because not everyone has the same point of view. When reading material of any kind I believe it is important to think outside of your normal perspective and look at things from another point of view.
ReplyDeleteLyntoria Davis says....
ReplyDeleteI do believe that students should avoid confirmation bias but it is kind of hard. Just think of that student having a talk about their religions. Now, what if both of them have great ideals and very good arguments on their religions and why they are the right one's? Although you can agrue good points, it will be hard to not take a side with the best point-of-view. April I do agree with you as well.
I believe without conflict we couldn't exist and make intelligent decisions on what needs to be done. If we all agreed on what should be done and always did what was the norm, then we would be stuck on one train of thought. I try to avoid confirmation bias on all aspects of life. I have my own beliefs but I do understand that everyone is not like me. Others have opinions that conflict with mine and I am open to hear and possible take their opinions in to my own. I am a negotiator and try to find the common ground between my choice and others choice to try to make all parties happy.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well that students should avoid confirmation bias. Most importantly, we should strive to keep open minds--not necessarily agree, but to listen to all opinions. Nancy Lynch
ReplyDeleteLamar said... I agree not to be conformational, but ask questions if you don't agree and be willing to listen and maybe learn something new that might change your view on the matter. Lamar Newman
ReplyDeleteI agree that students should not have conformational bias, but should be able to form their own opinion by listening to all sides and finding what they agree with and don't agree with. Students need to keep an open mind about economics and understand that just because they believe one thing does not mean that everyone else will agree with them at all times.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with the blog, as well as everyone else's comments. Not only should we as students be mindful of ignoring the information or advice we first don't agree with, or doesn't fit into our pretermined opinions, even more importantly, we should be concious of ignoring information and advice that we don't fully understand. Often, I find that I initially don't agree with something, only to realize that I might not disagree as much, as maybe not fully understand the concept.
ReplyDeleteI think that avoiding confirmation bias is good practice for students, because it opens the door to new ideas in all daily decision making efforts, not just in college. By being open minded one is able to grasp different perspectives and perhaps even get answers to things they had not previously known which could change a belief they previously held.
ReplyDeleteA student that has confirmation bias is a student that has a closed mind. If a student has a closed mind, it is impossible for them to get the most out of their education. For a budding economist or an economist, this can be a major problem because the solutions to certain governmental issues will not come as easily or maybe they won't even come at all. For an economist to be the most successful possible, they must be able to think in many different ways, being as open-minded as possible, avoiding confirmation bias.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Greg Mankiw statement about the student being lucky that he had professors with different viewpoint. Its like we can all listen to the argument of Economist. Some are liberal and some are conservative. It depend on us which what we think is more beneficial to us. I read somewhere but I can't remember that if there are 5 economists presenting their research, most probably there are 5 different views about economy too. Some will benefit a certain sector and might have a negative effect on other.
ReplyDeleteThat is why we are here to look outside the box....hopefully, the more education we receive the less confirmation bias we become. A goal each student to strive to acheive as their education increases.
ReplyDeleteMark Morrison...
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. Confirmation bias limits a student's perspective, which can only be harmful in the future. A respect for differing points of view will help students succeed in all aspects of their lives.
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ReplyDeleteConfurmation bias both good and bad good by it can increace our intellectual bearings and bad to were as Mark already stated before my post be harmeful for the students future.
ReplyDeleteFrom Kristin Wolfe
At one time or another, we have all been bias to an opinion or statement. By learning from another's methods students can help reach their goal of getting the most out of education.
ReplyDeleteStudents should be open minded to all kinds of economics. For they hardly no much about economics in the first place, so how can they just whole-heartedly support one side of economics? This also goes for most aspects of life, especially politics. At the ripe young age we students are at, I don't think that it is right for us to claim a party yet, for we do not totally understand what the parties are all about. Again as a student it is very important to take into account all aspects of economics.
ReplyDeletewithout people disagreeing with eachother nothing would ever get done there'd be no competition and noone would strive to get better
ReplyDeleteMaking sure to keep an open mind is vital in every aspect of our lives, not just economics. If we aren't willing to consider ideas and points of view that we don't orginally agree with, we are unable to make informed decisions. When we don't have an understanding for all ponits of view on a particular subject we will never be able to come optimally beneficial conclusions. The whole reason we have the checks and balances system in our government is to prevent such narrow-minded and bias decision making where complete control lies in the hands of one point of view. How will we truly know what is best if don't look at every option with an open mind?
ReplyDeleteConfirmation Bias is a hard thing to avoid. Although many people argue that they are keeping in open mind it most of the time isnt the case. I believe that hearing everyones view points is a necessity as we grow into our economic mindset. Even though we may not agree with what the opposing arguments said it is good to hear it and at the very least it is good to have your arguments challenged to make you know why you believe you something.
ReplyDeleteI agree Confirmation Bias is hard to avoid, but I also agree that everyone should be able to have their own opinions. hearing what others have to say give others that have not heard it a different view of the situation.. just like the student at the top mentioned.. if no one else thought the world was round.. would we still believe it was flat.. there are always others out there that may have a total different view of what we think and sometimes it is good to hear what they have to say... I also think everyone having different views makes for some good arguments when it comes to discussions.
ReplyDeleteI feel any bias opinion on anything limits your ability to think outside the box. I do agree that it is difficult not to be bias but if you give all opinions a chance you might come up will a better conclusion that the originators.
ReplyDeleteElaine Owen said...
ReplyDeleteEveryone has their own view and opinion, which is beneficial because by talking with someone who has a different view, can help you see another side of the same issue. While you might not agree with someone elses opinion, you just might see things in a different light or even give you other issues to consider. The best example that I can think of is the old Miller Light commercials where one sides said it tastes great and the other side said it was less filling. Each side thinks they are totally right but after observation you can see that the other side does have a valid point.
And the argument still rages on to this day.
Jessica Beck
ReplyDeleteI think it is very good to keep an open mind partly because i need to have and open mind to take an economics class I still am not sure how I feel about economics. so I agree there is no need to be bias or we will never learn how to see others points of view
I agree that it is very important to always keep an open mind and to question anything that anyone says or tells you or also anything that you read. You definitely have a mind of your own and can pick and choose what you believe. But, being bias about anything keeps you from exploring new ideas or any other perspectives on certain subject matter which isn't a good thing in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt's important for us to avoid confirmation bias. Keep our minds open and not just have a tunnel vision. Listen and take in as much information as you can and be willing to listen to the opinions of others. Analyze and combine all of your findings to come with up with conclusions that you might not have even considered if you didn't keep an open mind. Our political system and economic system might just be in a better place if we all followed this way of looking at things.
ReplyDeletePeople should not use confirmation bias. One should be open to many different ideals and opinion because this is how we learn from one another. Having different views allows us to put ourselves in the other person's shoes and we are able to see what the other person has to offer in the subject of fiscal awareness.
ReplyDeleteThe above post was written by Karen Washington
ReplyDeleteI to often find myself when reading the text thinking that is a conservative/liberal idea. But like what Mankiw says that a all the different point of views are beneficial in the long run. A good example is all the political campaigning against "Keynesian economics", but I try to keep an open mind when reading and learning.
ReplyDeleteCurtis Anderau
I definitely agree in avoiding confirmation bias. Even though it’s difficult for us as human beings to consider something that contradicts with what we think is right, it’s always good and beneficial to see both sides of the story. As human being we tend to be stubborn and just zone out anything that we don’t necessarily agree with, for the simple fact that it takes us out of our comfort zone, but being able to accept others perspectives is a challenge the we must all take. ~Belinda Varela
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree in avoiding confirmation bias as well. It's hard to not see views as a conformational bias when your set in your views and opinions. We can listen to people's views, respect what they have to say and their opinions, and hopefully their views might mold together with ours and make a new view that both can agree on. This teaches you to become more aware of what's going on in the world today and view it has someone else.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy hearing other people's bias. I believe that we have something to learn from everyone and the more strong opinions I hear the more balanced I become. I suppose the danger would be listening to too much of one type of bias.
ReplyDeleteI recently spent 3 years living abroad and I can honestly say that my politics as well as opinions on many social matters have shifted greatly. Having the humility to see my country through other peoples eyes has really been a reality check.
Listening with an open heart and mind make all the difference.
My thoughts on confirmation bias have changed as I have gotten older. I agree that we should be able to see the others view points and attempt to understand where they are coming from in reference to their ideas. But since I am now a non traditional student I have heard many different sides to the stories over the years. I now know how and why I believe as I do.My moral compass leads my choices and decisions.There are somethings that I cannot understand and agree with at all.I can try to understand and be open to others views and have compassion but not agree with their views. In the political arena the two side at times are so divided on issues there cant be compromise.I do believe that bias are not good and we should be open to others ideas but we should also not give in on issues that are core to our belifs.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Rainwater
I believe that it would be very beneficial for society as a whole to avoid confirmation biases. Everyone can learn something for someone with an opposing point of view, even if it is only what NOT to do.By becoming closed minded, you are only hendering your potential to grow.
ReplyDeleteKim HUffman
I wish people listened more rather than deciding things on a bias. People develop a notion as to how thing should work and shuts out any other ideas because they are not the correct political affiliation. This mentality closes the door to any constructive ideas and opens the door for failure.
ReplyDelete--Kris Long
As time passes and people experience more, things in our mind are changed. The other side of people is, that the things we go through make us feel the way we do about certain things (makes us form opinions). This isn't always a good thing because it does make us biased. We need to always have the open mind to at least more then one side of things. This is something that is always hard for people to do because we are so conformed to what we know (feel safe with). I think that experiencing different cultures helps us to see a "light" that we wouldn't see otherwise. I work with young students and something i try to instill in them is to always keep somewhere in the back of their mind that it can always been different and to not just shut themselves off from unfamiliar things. My hope is that as they get older they will be able to take that and translate it into not only politics, social matters, and etc. That they are also able to not just see black and white. But that they will be able to see the gray area.
ReplyDeleteIf one only focuses on confirming a bias, just image how much you are missing out because of it. Having different view points is what creates innovation and makes everyone unique in their own way.
ReplyDeleteWe should try to always keep an open mind, and really listen to the comments of others. So many times, we wish later on that we had listened to the wisdom of someone else, but it's too late. At the time, we were just so sure we were right. Confirmation Bias can be a dangerous thing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rebecca. We need to have different view points. I don't like confrontation but like a good debate. We all have a right to agreea and disagree. I would hope that people don't get offended about what other people think. It make people learn things they didn't know or give them another way of looking at something. Juliett Jones
ReplyDeleteI whole heartedly agree with the blog, as well as with Ayers... I can tick off a laundry list of things I have learned in the past few list, that I wasn't too pleased with. As I've grown older, ventured further into the business world and educated myself politically and fiscally, I'm realizing just how many policies and procedures are in place for me, supposedly, that I don't agree with. Thank goodness I am aware enough to be comfortable with disagreeing, rather than just buying into what is accepted.
ReplyDeleteTania Barrientos said...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree that we should all avoid confirmation bias. We should always be open to new ideas to see other points of views. It is great to have an opinion after listening to all sides of the story.
The problem is that everyone has their own opinion and everyone is different in so many ways. Having so many different opinions can cause problems but it can also have a positive effect hearing the different opinions and ideas. so in that case we should definitely avoid confirmation bias.
ReplyDeleteOpinion are just that opinions but when a person take the opinion and creates a discussion that has an positive and negative outcome then the opinion has a greater depth value. If you allow fourself to at least under the pro's and con's of any argument you might not agree with it all but you will at least appreciate the value within.We can discuss which college football team is the best and there are many but to propely understand the discussion you must look at the strength and weeknesses of both teams. That is the same idea with anydiscussion.
ReplyDeleteI would personally like to have more than one opinion and I would want some that were not to my approval. If I am to be non-bias I must engage in both sides of the discussion.
I agree that in order to make an informed decision, you have to understand all view points of a particular plan or issue. In reality, there is no such thing as a flawless plan. Chances are, if you can’t find a good point or bad point to make concerning the same issue, you probably don’t understand it enough. I do think one of the major problems we have in this country is that a plan or policy is automatically rejected or supported based on what party presented it. Meaning, you hear in the news that Republicans rejected the plan because it was “presented by a Democrat.” In addition, if an economist agrees with a particular side, he is labeled as an affiliate of the party that thinks the way he does whether it is intentional or not. I also think peer pressure plays a far too important role. Although I agree with you, I can’t go against my party. If two points are differing, it doesn’t make one of them wrong, it makes them different.
ReplyDeleteI think your ideas of confirmation bias change as you change. When i was younger i only needed the confirmation of my parents to know that what i was doing was acceptable and right. Now that i'm older i can;'t take anything at its word. I need all the facts and information to make a decision. With that i think it's important to listen to multiple sources to better understand the world around us. In the case of the economist in the blog "experts vs. Partisans", the economist opinions were swayed in the direction as his employer. In that situation it is important to know that and to look to and listen to more than one economist. Confirmation bias is necessary in the free thinking world.
ReplyDeleteKevin Rhodes
I agree with Kevin in the sense that confirmation bias is necessary in the free thinking world, and I feel that in our society it is inevitable to prevent confirmation bias completely. In my opinion avoiding confirmation bias is essential is discovering yourself and who you are. Young adults can't start their life journey and experience the world if they don't have open minds and aren't open to those new experiences. So while I feel the confirmation bias should be avoided, it is a fact of life that it is just going to happen.
ReplyDeleteI am most impressed with people that have the ability to open their minds enough and learn about things they don't believe in.
ReplyDeleteI would ask them if they had maybe assumed some things that weren't actually true. Or read or heard an opinion from someone else that turned out to be wrong and what kind of influence (if any) did it make on your own beliefs.
Whether religious or political, I think we all need to evaluate our responses to others beliefs. Are we too rigid? Can we be more tolerant? It's a great big world and we're all going to have to share it.
Peace and blessings,
Theresa
I also agree that students should avoid confirmation bias, but that's tough when just starting out in an economics class. Like many other students, I know absolutely nothing about economics other than my own checking account and how my mortgage company is horrible. So far, I am soaking up what I am reading and believing it, but this blog has given me the insight to start looking into what other economists teach and research. I think looking at other points of view will help me better understand what I am being taught at the time being.
ReplyDeleteGena Harcrow
Avoiding confirmation bias can be difficult at first. I guess one thing that I have been having some difficulty with, is the idea that a large federal deficit has an adverse effect on the economy. 83% of economists agree on that. One economist who doesn't who I have read before is Paul Krugman, who has said that deficits don't really matter. The statement above does make sense, for example, if your economy is loaded down with debt and a recession comes along it can be very difficult to get out of it quickly because you could just be adding to the problem, but at the same time, I guess I wonder what constitutes a "large federal deficit". Is 25% of GDP a lot, or is 75%? At what point does the debt go from small to large or from managable to unmanagble. You always hear people talk about the large U.S. debt, but our debt as a percentage of GDP has been larger in our history and so I wonder if it is true, or if it is not. Is it true, but we just haven't hit that point yet where it has an adverse effect on our economy. Is it true, but people are trying to make it sound worse than it is to score political points.
ReplyDeleteEster Anderson said.....
ReplyDeleteI absolutly agree that we should have have confirmation bias,but that is definatly not the way it is.I will be the first to admit I dont like change very much and when I get an idea or like someone elses opinion that I happen to agree with I usually dont care to hear the others idea 's out nor would I read up up there points of views.However I have begun to realize that although I dont like or agree with what they agree with I can respet it and there views on the subject matter.Everyone disagrees and even economist scientist/politians and congress disagree ,but they still hear out the other person and respect them.(for the most part that is)Everyones advice or ideas are percieved in a positive way ,for example the book states that even economist who give advice to presidents are even ignored ....I have noticed that many of our younger generations are becoming more involved in politics/government/economists and things of that nature and i am amazed by how much they know and I hope to know as much as they do by the end of this course.
The point of this post applies not only to learning economics but to life in general. These ideas are basic and essential to becoming a well rounded, open, and objective individual. We all have our weaknesses, and the things that we inherently favor and dislike, but in order to grow and reach our full potential in any subject or career path we really have to make a conscience effort to turn off our communication barriers and take in and consider all information, whether we agree with it or not.
ReplyDeleteConfirmation bias is something we shoulnt get into but it is hard to be open minded and not be bias whether it is work or family that is just life and most people can not be.
ReplyDeleteRather we are talking about economists, politicians, or someone that has nothing to do with either of them, at the end of the day we all have our own thoughts, ideas, and opinions. Some of us firmly believe in them, yet with open minds to other peoples views as well such as myself. Confirmation bias lack optimism and respect for the next mind and that is why I disagree with their ways. On the contrary, from time to time they may have the perfect solution for a given situation. That doesn't mean that I agree with them now, its just me being optimistic and giving even the one sided views a chance to speak. You never know!
ReplyDeleteLuckily for me, I was introduced to many thoughts on the matter of not believing everything that I learn or if not that to at least question what I learn. It is strange however, how many people will have blind faith in many fields. As a new student to the field of macroeconomics, I approach the topic with an open mind but to help guide my beliefs in choosing a type of economist, I will rely on good faith and my morals.
ReplyDeleteConcurring with these statements, I would like to add that the "perfect" student is following a method many people fail to follow, even outside of economics. By taking each of the professor's thoughts into consideration, the student can formulate original thoughts of his own by picking and choosing the thoughts he agrees with mostly.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I make a point of approaching my studies in the manner. If something contradicts, I try to find a third or even forth point of view while I allow my own thoughts to brew.
I most definitely agree with this ideal of open mindedness. I think that this issue-Confirmation Bias- is something that does not only apply to economics. There are people everywhere who categorically refuse to even look at a situation from any perspective but their own. Not only does this make compromising difficult-if not impossible- it also deprives those people of the opportunity to enrich their lives with new understanding. I think that all of us benefit when we look outside of ourselves. In regards to the classroom, I feel that everything needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Students should always be respectful of the information, even if you don't agree with it. Debate can be fun, if everyone is properly armed. I think outside research is the best way to go.
ReplyDeleteI believe the only way to learn is to study. How can you form an opinion if you have only reasearched or learned one opinion. It is important to be open minded in politics, money, religion, economics, science, and many more. I think the more people you talk to about a subject the more you will find different opinions, which is why it is so important to study and learn facts to form your own opinion.
ReplyDeleteI believe one of the most difficult things in life is to be able to objectively look at "all sides of the story" and form an unbiased decision based on the facts presented. It is human nature to follow "ones heart" which is not always based on fact but feeling.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the only way to be completely knowledgeable about a topic, is to study as views and aspects of it. Some of these views or opinions you may not agree with, and this can be difficult. It is not easy to listen or study something, that you are opposed to.
ReplyDeleteI think not having confirmation bias is extremely important. As a former youth pastor at a local church, I would often tell my students not to take my word for it but to research things for themselves. Challenge me, challenge the Bible, and challenge their parents. I am confident enough in what I believe in that I can look at it without bias and still come to the same conclusion.
ReplyDeleteThe world we live in today is very biased. I was fortunate enough to have my mom teach me that to make a choice or a opinion one needs to look at all sides equally. Most people today are just out for their own well being and don't think about others. Their state of mind is if its not normal or right to me then it must be wrong. I do believe students do need to be made aware of "the other side" of things and taught to make choices/opinions of their own instead of being fed what to think.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Oliver
With the student become an economist. I agree that it ia a great thing that he has professors with different viewpoints. It gives the student different view point to learn from. He gets to figure out where he stands in the world of encomiasts.
ReplyDeleteThroughout history people have always struggled with controlling bias. Some try so, very diligently and others couldn't care less. All they worry about is getting what they want, when they want it, to heck with whats right. I was quite refreshed to read about this student working to broaden their horizons and seeing things from many points of view. If more people would follow this young but wise point of view the world would be a much better place. I am a registered Republican, but when I vote, I do not let my party control my vote. I vote for what I think is right and best, if I, through doing my best to understand the issue, think my 'party' is going the wrong way, you could be assured I will vote my.
ReplyDeleteWay to go 'perfect student' may you influence many more into this wiser way of being.
I honestly believe that using the confirmation bias method, is a terrible way to view ones personal opions. This world today is full of vibrant and intellectual minds. Why deprive ourselves as a human race from exploring different perspectives. I agree with what Greg Mankiw stated; "Ideally, at the end of the day, you should be able to understand and appreciate (although not necessarily agree with) each point of view".
ReplyDeleteThis is a key concept of education and the learning process. If we only looked at and read things that we agreed with then we would not be expanding our knowledge. Reading books that don't agree with what we think we know in ables us to question our preception of a topic and to reshape our belief in regard to that topic.
ReplyDelete