Question

​Celia is a juror at a trial. Based on her reading of newspapers, Celia has already decided that the defendant is guilty. She sticks to her decision even when the defense attorney presents strong contradicting evidence. Celia is demonstrating

a. ​functional fixedness.
b. ​confirmation bias.
c. ​mental set.
d. ​availability heuristic.

Answer 1

Confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs. Celia's refusal to change her decision despite contradicting evidence is an example of confirmation bias.

Step-by-step explanation:

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information that confirms or supports prior beliefs. In the case of Celia, her preconceived belief of the defendant's guilt based on newspaper readings is causing her to stick to her decision even when presented with contradicting evidence from the defense attorney. This is an example of confirmation bias because Celia is focusing only on information that confirms her existing belief and ignoring contradictory evidence.