Which term refers to a cognitive bias where information is interpreted to fit preconceptions?

• A. Cognitive Bias
• B. Confirmation Bias
• C. Moral Myopia
• D. Ethical Fading

Answer: (A)

Confirmation bias is at play when people interpret information in a way that fits their preexisting beliefs or expectations. It’s a specific type of cognitive bias that shapes how we gather, weigh, and recall evidence: we notice and remember things that support what we already think and downplay or overlook information that challenges it. This tendency can distort decisions and judgments because the interpretive lens is biased toward our preconceptions rather than being objective.

Think of it as your mind preferentially filtering data to confirm what you already believe, rather than evaluating each piece of information on its own merits. The other terms describe different issues: moral myopia is about failing to recognize ethical problems in a situation, and ethical fading is when the ethical dimensions fade from awareness in the moment. The broad umbrella term cognitive bias doesn’t capture the specific way information is twisted to fit preconceptions.