Confirmation bias

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's beliefs or hypotheses.

Quotes

 * It is the peculiar and perpetual error of the human intellect to be more moved and excited by affirmatives than by negatives; whereas it ought properly to hold itself indifferently disposed towards both alike.
 * Francis Bacon, Novum Organum, § 46


 * It is true that may hold in these things, which is the general root of superstition; namely, that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss; and commit to memory the one, and forget and pass over the other.
 * Francis Bacon, Sylva Sylvarum Century X (1627).


 * Confirmation bias is a helluva drug.
 * Brian Keating, (quote at 2:30:47 of 3:59:41)