Lisa notes

What is it?

Also known as Complacency Bias, the Comfort Bias is when we don’t want our comfort disturbed. We favor the familiar and resist the different.

Here’s an example of Comfort Bias.

When an uncomfortable subject comes up in conversation, we quickly change the subject or leave the room to preserve our emotional stability.

Why does this happen?

Our brains don’t want to deal with confrontation or discomfort. It’s easier to maintain the status quo without having our emotions disrupted.

Why is this dangerous?

Staying in our comfort zones prevents us from moving forward when we need to. Our growth is stunted when we refuse to try anything new or different or challenging. We fail to live out our purpose when we refuse to take leaps of faith.

How can we counter it?

Know that it’s natural to want to stay where we’re comfortable. Just start where you are. Move forward a little at a time.

Remember that even baby steps, however short, will still move us in the right direction. We don’t have to do it all at once. Rewards await us on the outside boundaries of our comfort zones.

What did Jesus do?

Jesus was constantly calling people out of their comfort zones. But never to do it alone. He walked through it with them. Through his example and words, he encouraged others to take up their cross daily and to follow him. To step out of the boat.

He promises the same for us: we don’t have to leave our comfort zones by ourselves. When we step out of the boat, his hand is there to hold us up.

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How glued are you to your comfort zone? What prompts you to step outside of it? Please share in the comments.

You are on Day 2 of the series, “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

• See the Bias Table of Contents here

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Previous: Confirmation Bias {Bias Day1}
“How Can You Avoid Your Confirmation Bias?”

Next: Competency Bias—Dunning-Kruger Effect {Bias Day 3}
“Why We Fail to Recognize Our Own Incompetence”

What is Confirmation Bias?

Confirmation bias is listening only to what we already believe, what we agree with. It is seeking out information that confirms what we think already.

If we come across information that is different from our pre-existing ideas, we say it’s false and automatically ignore it.

Here’s an example.

If I already believe masks won’t help against contracting COVID-19, I won’t read or consider the most current CDC guidelines that advise me to wear a mask.

Or vice versa. (I do believe masks work, btw.)

Why does this happen?

Our brains naturally want to take the easiest path. It conserves energy.

And the easiest path? Stick with what we already know. It’s a lot of work to think things through. Why waste mental energy trying to change our mind when we already *know* the answers anyway?

Why is confirmation bias bad?

Confirmation bias prevents us from unlearning wrong things and relearning correct things. It keeps us from updating our knowledge when more correct data comes along.

Ultimately, it keeps us stuck. It reduces our ability to accept new evidence. It prevents us from understanding reasonable arguments and changing our minds when we need to.

How can we avoid confirmation bias?

1. Be aware that confirmation bias exists.

Understand that we are inherently biased against new information. It doesn’t mean we’re bad; it means we’re human.

2. Seek out new information.

Look for ways to challenge what you already think. Proactively investigate and engage new information, experiences, and viewpoints. Give them a fair hearing. 

3. Talk to people outside your circle.

Gather information from a wide range of sources, not just those you normally peruse. Listen to what others are saying. Hear their stories. 

4. Play devil’s advocate

Get someone to play devil’s advocate with you to test what you currently believe. Are there holes in your thinking? If not, great. Maybe you’ve been right all along.

But stay open to truth so you can see it when it presents itself. Don’t fight against something just because it’s different from what you once believed. 

How did Jesus handle it?

Jesus faced a huge challenge with the Jewish people when he arrived on earth. They were already steeped in centuries of believing that they only were “right.” When Jesus introduced new wineskins, a new command, a new way of living, many of his listeners automatically tuned out.

So Jesus often used stories to wake people out of their confirmation biases. He taught by engaging their imaginations. He helped them see from a different vantage point so they could open their minds to accept the truths he was bringing instead of refusing to let go of their old thoughts. 

And he brought them new experiences to rattle the old ways of thinking. His miracles were mind-blowing, creating space for new ways of thinking. Even still, many refused to accept his new ideas.  

As we live in the new opportunities he brings us and see his miracles of grace around us, may we open our minds to new ways of experiencing him and discovering truth. 

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It’s hard to see something different than what we already believe. How do you keep an open mind? Share in the comments.

You are on Day 1 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

• See the Bias Table of Contents here

Previous: Introduction to the series

Next: Comfort Bias {Bias Day 2}
“I Don’t Want to Leave My Comfort Zone”