Father – Can you pause your game for a minute?
Son – What’s up?
Father – I thought you had a big test tomorrow.
Son – I do.
Father – Are you ready?
Son – Yep.
Father – How do you know?
Son – I read the chapters and understood them. I called Daniel and he said I was ready. Sam said the same thing.
Father – How would they know?
Son – Dad. You are being a pain.
Father – Do you know what a confirmation bias is?
Son – No. But I’m sure you are going to tell me.
Father – If you believe something is true, it’s easy to latch onto proof that supports that belief.
Son – What do you mean?
Father – Calling your two best friends is likely to get you an answer you want.
Son – They wouldn’t lie.
Father – I’m not saying they would. But what are they basing their opinions on?
Son – So I am biased?
Father – Your evidence might be. When we search for support for something we want to believe, that is a confirmation bias.
Son – As opposed to what?
Father – Unbiased evidence; like doing a practice test.
Son – So you don’t think I’m ready?
Father – Do you still think you are?
Son – Now I know where test anxiety comes from.
