Confirmation Bias
Confirmation Bias is the tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs. In UX, users often favor content, interfaces, and options that align with what they already believe or expect.
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The Psychology Behind It
This cognitive bias is deeply rooted in human nature, as our brains prioritize familiar patterns and avoid cognitive dissonance (the discomfort of conflicting information). Research shows that people selectively filter data, reinforcing their biases rather than objectively evaluating new information.
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Real-World Applications
Personalized Feeds: Social media platforms (e.g., Twitter, TikTok) amplify familiar content based on user behavior.
Search & Filtering: Google and e-commerce sites prioritize results that match user history/preferences.
UX Writing: Confirmation bias influences how users interpret error messages, success notifications, and CTA wording.
Visual Examples
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Common Mistakes
Mistake: Designing experiences that reinforce false assumptions or limit diverse perspectives.
Fix: Provide balanced recommendations, highlight alternative choices, and clarify ambiguous UI messages to avoid misinterpretations.
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How to Apply It in Your Design
Avoid misleading reinforcement (e.g., showing only one-sided recommendations).
Use neutral UX writing to clarify, not confirm incorrect assumptions.
Offer clear, unbiased choices to guide users toward well-informed decisions.
Encourage exploration by suggesting diverse content or alternative perspectives.
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Key Takeaways
Users favor information that aligns with their beliefs.
Biased design can mislead or limit users' perspectives.
Thoughtful UX writing and design choices help counteract bias.
User Psychology 3
Psychology Behind UX Design
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