Final answer:
Mr. von Osten experienced cognitive dissonance as a result of trying to reconcile his existing belief in the horse Clever Hans' intelligence with the new evidence that the horse's abilities were not genuine. Cognitive dissonance describes the psychological discomfort of trying to hold two conflicting beliefs at once, different from confirmation bias, which is seeking information that confirms pre-existing beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mr. von Osten experienced cognitive dissonance when he tried to maintain a belief in Clever Hans' intelligence after Mr. Pfungst's experiment demonstrated that the horse's mathematical abilities vanished when he put blinders limiting his vision. Cognitive dissonance is a psychological term that describes the discomfort one experiences when holding onto a belief that is contradicted by new evidence or information. In contrast to confirmation bias, where one would seek out information to support pre-existing beliefs, cognitive dissonance occurs when existing beliefs are challenged by new evidence, leading to an uncomfortable psychological state.
Confirmation bias, as identified in early experiments by Peter Wason, is the tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions, leading to statistical errors. This bias can prevent individuals from considering a full range of information when making decisions or forming opinions, often reinforcing erroneous beliefs without critically questioning them.