When we pick up a book, we bring our own experiences, beliefs, and values to the table. This can lead to biases when interpreting and understanding the content of the book. But, what exactly are these biases, and how do they influence our reading experience?
Confirmation bias is one such bias, where we tend to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore or downplay evidence that contradicts them. When reading a book, we may unconsciously focus on parts that align with our beliefs and overlook or dismiss parts that challenge them.
Another bias is the framing effect, where the way information is presented can influence how we perceive it. In a book, the author’s framing of the content can impact our interpretation of the text.
Cognitive dissonance is a theory that suggests we experience discomfort when confronted with information that contradicts our beliefs or values. To alleviate this discomfort, we may reject or ignore information that challenges our beliefs. This can cause us to dismiss or reject content that challenges our pre-existing beliefs while reading a book.
Lastly, the availability heuristic suggests that we rely on readily available information when making decisions or forming opinions. When reading a book, we may remember and prioritize information that is easy to recall or aligns with our beliefs.
As a Harry Potter fan, I have experienced different cognitive biases while reading the series. For instance, confirmation bias influenced my perception of the character Severus Snape. I initially disliked him and believed him to be a cruel teacher. However, whenever I re-read the books, I unconsciously looked for evidence that confirmed my beliefs and ignored or downplayed evidence that challenged them.
Similarly, the framing effect influenced my perception of the different Hogwarts houses. The initial framing of each house as having distinct personalities and traits influenced my perception of them. However, as I encountered more complex characters from different houses, my perceptions became more nuanced.
Lastly, I experienced cognitive dissonance when Sirius Black was revealed to be falsely accused and a loyal friend to Harry’s parents. This challenged my pre-existing beliefs about him and caused discomfort and resistance. However, I eventually accepted this new information and integrated it into my understanding of the character.
These experiences taught me the power of cognitive biases and how they can influence our perceptions and attitudes towards characters. It also highlighted the importance of being open to new information and challenging our pre-existing beliefs and biases, even if it causes discomfort and cognitive dissonance.
In summary, understanding these psychological theories can help us be more mindful of our biases when reading books. By approaching books with an open mind and a willingness to consider different perspectives, we can strive for objectivity and expand our knowledge and understanding of the world.
~ Parry Otter~
“I am known as the good guy of the club. I carry a compost bin and a google research in both my hands. I ask curious theoretical questions and seek alternate answers. I am 6 feet 3 inches tall. I practise keeping my neck down all the time. As Meryl Steep said, Don’t Look Up.”
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