Dopamine, confirmation bias and hiding the technology
Feb 24, 2017 16:14:00 GMT
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Post by ashliy on Feb 24, 2017 16:14:00 GMT
Dopamine, confirmation bias and hiding the technology in the back
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most beloved characters in fiction including a 2012 revival. Through acute observation Holmes is able to use abductive and deductive reasoning to bring resolution to all manner of mysteries. An appeal to evidence, and reason, is only display in the so-called police procedural that is a staple of network television. In a typical episode the police use all manner of evidence gathering to identify and apprehend the perpetrator(s). In the end, evidence usually wins out.
It is ironic that we love these types of stories so much. Because in our own lives we are woefully unable to come to terms with facts that may contradict our own internal narratives. Elizabeth Kolbert in a recent New Yorker article, “Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds,” summarizes the findings from three recent books that demonstrate our inability to deal with reality.
For example, for some inexplicable reason, the anti-vaccine movement is once again gaining some steam. (See also: Washington Post, New York Times, NOS) One of the reasons why people have a tendency to remain wedded to their earlier believe, despite an avalanche of evidence to the contrary, is our brain chemistry. Kolbert writes:
They [Jack and Sara Gorman authors of Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Facts That Will Save Us] cite research suggesting that people experience genuine pleasure-a rush of dopamine-when processing information that supports their beliefs. “It feels good to ‘stick to our guns’ even if we are wrong,” they observe.
If that is the case it probably shouldn’t be surprising we see groups of people clinging to false beliefs contrary to the evidence. One of the reasons we are able to cling to outdated beliefs is that we selectively experience data and evidence. Confirmation bias, explains why we continue to dismiss new evidence.
finance.yahoo.com/news/dopamine-confirmation-bias-and-hiding-the-180051052.html
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most beloved characters in fiction including a 2012 revival. Through acute observation Holmes is able to use abductive and deductive reasoning to bring resolution to all manner of mysteries. An appeal to evidence, and reason, is only display in the so-called police procedural that is a staple of network television. In a typical episode the police use all manner of evidence gathering to identify and apprehend the perpetrator(s). In the end, evidence usually wins out.
It is ironic that we love these types of stories so much. Because in our own lives we are woefully unable to come to terms with facts that may contradict our own internal narratives. Elizabeth Kolbert in a recent New Yorker article, “Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds,” summarizes the findings from three recent books that demonstrate our inability to deal with reality.
For example, for some inexplicable reason, the anti-vaccine movement is once again gaining some steam. (See also: Washington Post, New York Times, NOS) One of the reasons why people have a tendency to remain wedded to their earlier believe, despite an avalanche of evidence to the contrary, is our brain chemistry. Kolbert writes:
They [Jack and Sara Gorman authors of Denying to the Grave: Why We Ignore the Facts That Will Save Us] cite research suggesting that people experience genuine pleasure-a rush of dopamine-when processing information that supports their beliefs. “It feels good to ‘stick to our guns’ even if we are wrong,” they observe.
If that is the case it probably shouldn’t be surprising we see groups of people clinging to false beliefs contrary to the evidence. One of the reasons we are able to cling to outdated beliefs is that we selectively experience data and evidence. Confirmation bias, explains why we continue to dismiss new evidence.
finance.yahoo.com/news/dopamine-confirmation-bias-and-hiding-the-180051052.html