Feeling validated versus being correct: a meta-analysis of selective exposure to information
William Hart1, Dolores Albarracín, Alice H Eagly
1Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. willhart@ufl.edu
Psychological Bulletin
|July 10, 2009
Summary
People often prefer information confirming their existing beliefs, a tendency known as the congeniality bias. This bias weakens when accuracy is prioritized or defense motivation is reduced.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Individuals often encounter information that either supports or challenges their existing attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.
- Understanding the psychological drivers behind information selection is crucial for fields ranging from marketing to public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To meta-analytically assess whether information seeking is primarily driven by defense motives or accuracy motives.
- To investigate the factors moderating the preference for congenial versus uncongenial information.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis synthesizing results from multiple studies on information preferences.
- Studies examined choices between congenial (supportive) and uncongenial (challenging) information.
- Statistical analyses quantified the overall effect size and moderation by relevant variables.
Main Results:
- A moderate preference for congenial information over uncongenial information was observed (d=0.36).
- The congeniality bias was influenced by factors related to defense motivation (e.g., prior support, conviction, confidence) and accuracy motivation.
- An uncongeniality bias emerged when accuracy was critical for achieving a goal.
Conclusions:
- Both defense and accuracy motives play significant roles in guiding information exposure.
- The tendency to seek confirming information (congeniality bias) is context-dependent and can be overridden by a need for accuracy.
- Findings highlight the complex interplay between motivated reasoning and information processing.
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