Which barrier is characterized by interpreting information to confirm your preconceptions rather than seeking new information?

• A. Empathy
• B. Patience
• C. Confirmation Bias
• D. Distractibility

Answer: (C)

Confirmation bias is a tendency to interpret information to confirm what you already think rather than seeking new information. This makes it a barrier to effective self-advocacy and communication because it skews how you process data, leading you to favor evidence that supports your preconceptions and to discount or overlook evidence that contradicts them. In workplace conversations or decision-making, this can prevent you from hearing new ideas, considering alternative options, or updating your stance when needed. The behavior described—interpreting information to confirm preconceptions rather than looking for new information—fits this bias exactly. Empathy involves understanding others’ perspectives, patience is about staying calm and persistent, and distractibility is about being easily pulled away; none of these describe the habit of shaping interpretation to fit existing beliefs.