Final answer:
The direct answer to the student's question is that overconfidence can come from confirmation bias, a cognitive bias that leads individuals to seek out and favor information that supports their existing beliefs and ignore contradictory information.
Step-by-step explanation:
One reason people are overconfident is that they are not inclined to seek out information that contradicts their existing beliefs; this phenomenon is known as confirmation bias. if someone believes that their professor is not nice, they may focus on instances of rude behavior while ignoring pleasant interactions. Confirmation bias can be exacerbated by factors such as social media algorithms that reinforce existing beliefs.
Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias where individuals have a tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms their preconceptions, leading to statistical errors. This bias is evident in everyday life and can lead to overconfidence because people ignore contradictory information and instead focus on what aligns with their beliefs. Whether it’s regarding a simple reality such as the weather or complex social issues, individuals with confirmation bias will dismiss relevant evidence that challenges their assumptions. In the context of social media, confirmation bias is further amplified by algorithms that present information agreeing with the users’ beliefs, thereby reinforcing these biases and creating echo chambers.