Date: 11/21/2016

Title: LEADING THROUGH DENIAL – Part 3

By Jennifer Erickson

Confirmation bias is defined as favoring information that confirms a previously held belief or bias. In other words, “If I knew it once, it must have made sense. Why would I let it go?” Psychologically, we look for patterns in our environment. Once the patterns are there, a belief is formed. Our mind becomes like a vise grip, refusing to let this go.

Risk perception with probability is interesting. We all do this. The human mind is biased in favor of overestimating small risks and underestimating large ones. We don’t assess risk in a rational way. We conjure up images of what “could” happen.

Research has shown we respond more to stories, than statistics. Watch Simon Sinek’s TED Talk “Start With the Why” to see how this is explained biologically. Our brain actually processes information and emotions from different parts.

The stories we create lead to scenarios. The scenarios are emotional and powerful. As human beings, we don’t like events that we can’t staple with a clear cause. Without that clear cause, we will fill in the gaps ourselves. Our filler is comprised of the materials associated with conspiracy theory, charismatic leadership, confirmation bias, and risk perception with probability.

So, if we respond more to stories than facts, how does that fit our earlier examples?

To learn more about how to practice this understanding, contact Results Group, LLC at www.ResultsGroupLLC.com or 515-330-2866.