GRADE 10: CHALLENGING CONFIRMATION BIAS NAME JUAN QUINTERO, JUAN ARZAYUS,
JACOBO MARÍN.
Biased Brains
DATE APRIL 3RD
Part 1 Directions
In your group, choose two resources to review. As you review, track what each says about
confirmation bias and fake news. Capture your thoughts in the notes section. Review additional
resources as time allows.
Resource 1
Read: Cover Up, Your Confirmation Bias Is Showing
JESSIE SMITH, [Link], 11/6/2018 (10 MINS.)
Resource 2
Watch: Defining Confirmation Bias
FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES, 2019 (2 MINS.)
Resource 3
Read: Scientists Discover Simple Psychological
Tools to Battle Fake News
PETER HESS, [Link], 8/13/2018 (10 MINS.)
[Link]/education
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1
GRADE 10: CHALLENGING CONFIRMATION BIAS NAME JUAN QUINTERO, JUAN ARZAYUS,
JACOBO MARÍN.
Biased Brains
DATE APRIL 3RD
Notes Tracker:
How can we challenge
What does this resource show about
Resource # confirmation bias, especially
confirmation bias and fake news?
with information we see online?
The resource highlights that How can we challenge
confirmation bias makes people confirmation bias, especially with
more likely to believe fake news information we see online?
because they prefer information To combat confirmation bias
that supports their existing when consuming online
beliefs. This bias arises from the information, try to read from
discomfort people feel when different sources that offer
faced with opposing views. To various viewpoints instead of
3 counter this, the researchers only those that match your
suggest using humor to ease beliefs. Challenge your
stress, engaging in positive assumptions about new ideas
actions like activism, and and discuss them with people
intentionally seeking out who think differently to gain new
different viewpoints. By doing so, perspectives. Lastly, always fact-
individuals can better avoid check information by looking at
falling for false information. credible sources to ensure
accuracy.
This resource highlights how To push back against confirmation bias,
confirmation bias influences the way we it's important to reflect on where our
process information—it pushes us to see beliefs come from, explore viewpoints
things in a way that supports what we that challenge our own, and rely on a mix
already believe. It can even shape how of credible, diverse sources. We also
1 we hear or interpret something. When it need to stay open to the idea that we
comes to fake news, this bias makes might be wrong sometimes. Being
people more likely to believe and share mindful of our own biases is a big step
content that feels emotional or familiar, toward thinking more critically and
even if it's not true, especially when it’s steering clear of misinformation.
popular or going viral on social media.
[Link]/education
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2
GRADE 10: CHALLENGING CONFIRMATION BIAS NAME JUAN QUINTERO, JUAN ARZAYUS,
JACOBO MARÍN.
Biased Brains
DATE APRIL 3RD
[Link]/education
Shareable with attribution for noncommercial use. Remixing is permitted.
3
GRADE 10: CHALLENGING CONFIRMATION BIAS NAME JUAN QUINTERO, JUAN ARZAYUS,
JACOBO MARÍN.
Biased Brains
DATE APRIL 3RD
Part 2 Directions
In your group, create a mnemonic (ni-ˈmä-nik) device that includes at least three strategies you
learned about to help people confront their own confirmation bias when they read news and
encounter information online. A mnemonic device is a word or series of letters that helps you
remember steps or strategies for something. Examples of common mnemonic devices include:
Mnemonic Description Function
device
Parentheses, Exponent, Multiplication, Order of operations
PEMDAS Division, Addition, Subtraction
Sit up, Track the speaker, Ask questions, Classroom discussion
STAND
Note-take, Disagree respectfully expectations
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Color spectrum
ROY G. BIV Violet
Use the space below to brainstorm and write your final mnemonic device.
Step 1: Brainstorm. Write down different words or strategies you could use to challenge your own
confirmation bias and fake news.
Step 2: Create a mnemonic device. Take the first letter of the ideas you wrote above and try to make a
word or abbreviation out of them. Hint: Think of synonyms for the words in your brainstorm to give
yourself more options.
[Link]/education
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4
GRADE 10: CHALLENGING CONFIRMATION BIAS NAME JUAN QUINTERO, JUAN ARZAYUS,
JACOBO MARÍN.
Biased Brains
DATE APRIL 3RD
[Link]/education
Shareable with attribution for noncommercial use. Remixing is permitted.
5
