What is confirmation bias and how does it affect our thinking?

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for and interpret information in a way that confirms our existing beliefs while disregarding contradictory evidence. It's not just a flaw in reasoning; it's a fundamental aspect of how our cognitive processes work, often operating automatically before we even engage in deliberate thought. This means that when confronted with information that challenges our identity, we are likely to dismiss it, leading to a reinforcement of our original beliefs.