Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Supports refers to our inclination to favor and seek out information that aligns with our existing attitudes and beliefs. It is the tendency to selectively choose and pay attention to evidence that confirms what we already think or feel.
Related terms
Confirmation bias: This term describes our tendency to interpret and remember information in a way that confirms our pre-existing beliefs.
Selective exposure: It refers to the deliberate choice of seeking out information or sources that support our own perspectives while avoiding contradictory ones.
Belief perseverance: This term describes the tendency for people to continue holding onto their initial beliefs even when presented with evidence that contradicts those beliefs.