Final answer:
The statement that consumers engaging in selective comprehension often interpret information to support their beliefs is true. This is an example of confirmation bias, where consumers selectively process information that aligns with their preexisting beliefs and values.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or false: Consumers engaging in selective comprehension often interpret information in a manner that supports their own position. The statement is true. Selective comprehension is the process where consumers interpret information in a way that aligns with their preexisting beliefs and values. This phenomenon is closely related to confirmation bias, which is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs.
Examples of selective comprehension include individuals who interpret the evidence to support their own arguments, even when the evidence could be interpreted in multiple ways. When individuals gather and process new information, they may also exhibit cognitive bias, leading to preferential treatment of information that aligns with their existing beliefs and disregarding conflicting data. This bias influences not only personal beliefs but can also affect how individuals respond to group stereotypes, media representations, and critical analyses within various contexts.