Psychology
Confirmation Bias and Its Effects on Belief Perseverance
Quick fact
In one classic study, participants who were given evidence that a suicide note was fake continued to believe the deceased person (whom they had earlier judged as suicidal) was at risk of suicide, even after the evidence was retracted. Their initial belief persevered.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever noticed how people can hold onto a belief even after it has been thoroughly debunked? This stubbornness is not just stubbornness—it's a predictable pattern driven by confirmation bias and belief perseverance.