Final answer:
When managers predict that sales for next year will be the same as last year, despite a weakening economy, they are exhibiting confirmation bias.
Step-by-step explanation:
When managers predict that sales for next year will be the same as last year, despite a weakening economy, they are exhibiting confirmation bias.
Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias where people seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms their existing beliefs or hypotheses.
In this case, the managers' belief is that sales will remain constant, so they ignore the evidence of a weakening economy and focus on data that supports their belief.
This bias can lead to flawed decision-making and can prevent individuals from objectively considering alternative scenarios or options.