Your mental health is impacted in so many ways that it would make your head spin just listing them all. But one area that deserves special attention is the link between confirmation bias and mental health. I’m not just talking about the average person—although they should listen too—I’m speaking about all of us, and one behavior pattern I see everywhere.
This behavior has been with humans for a very long time. In many ways, it’s been a tremendous benefit to our survival. But in today’s modern, tech-driven world, it has been weaponized. Maybe it’s been turned against us by design—or maybe that’s just how technology evolved. Who’s to say?
What is this behavior? It’s the doubling-down effect, better known as confirmation bias—our hardwired tendency to seek out evidence that supports what we already believe, while ignoring or downplaying evidence that contradicts it.
Wired to Be Human
Read the first chapter of my new book Wired To Be Human #wiredtobehuman here: https://jonathanarenburg.com/wired-to-be-human/
Confirmation Bias in the Digital Age
With thousands of narratives floating around both online and in the real world, it’s no wonder we are all at each other’s throats. When our confirmation bias is challenged, we often have a fear-based reaction—retreating, lashing out, or, in the best cases, sitting down and actually listening.
But there’s another element rarely discussed: systemic or organizational confirmation bias. This is when entire institutions double down on faulty beliefs. Governments are prime examples.
Government Cuts: A Case Study
In Canada, budget cuts have long been the go-to way to control spending. On paper, it sounds reasonable. But in practice, it’s the fiscal equivalent of gutting a deer without considering the real reason you hunted it—to eat.
Research shows deep cuts harm economies rather than strengthen them. Cuts to public systems like health care or education often cost taxpayers more in the long run, because rebuilding broken services requires massive reinvestment. Yet governments continue this cycle, over and over again, often selling off public assets to private industry—leaving us paying more for less.
Why? Confirmation bias. A rising budget sheet feels like proof of savings. Leaders double down, even in the face of evidence that cuts worsen outcomes.
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The Mental Health Angle
If you’ve made it this far, you probably felt stress just reading about these issues. That’s normal. Talking about social concerns—war, economics, the environment—raises anxiety. We live in uncertain times, and it shows in rising rates of depression and anxiety.
What makes it worse is the amplification of confirmation bias through social media. We can now reinforce our biases 24/7. This constant cycle fuels division, hostility, and stress—leaving many of us feeling sick inside without realizing why.
A Personal Example
As many of you know, I spent 15 years in the fire service. I fought and taught about wildland fires. One fact is clear: when a wildfire is burning 17 km away, you should have a grab-and-go bag, a full tank of gas, and sturdy footwear. These aren’t opinions—they’re survival facts.
Yet the number of times I’ve heard “let’s agree to disagree” is startling. People resist expert advice not because they’re thinking critically, but because their confirmation bias makes alternative views feel like emotional pain.
So, What’s the Solution?
You won’t beat confirmation bias by trying to prove you’re right—even if you are. That battle just fuels more stress, anger, and division. Instead, free yourself by stepping back.
Sometimes the healthiest response is silence. In a noisy, anxious world, silence really is the key to bliss.
References
- IMF (2010). World Economic Outlook, Oct 2010 — Chapter 3: “Will It Hurt? Macroeconomic Effects of Fiscal Consolidation.”
- OECD (2015). In It Together: Why Less Inequality Benefits All.
- Stuckler, D., Reeves, A., Karanikolos, M., & McKee, M. (2009). The public health effect of economic crises and alternative policy responses in Europe: an empirical analysis. The Lancet.
- Canadian Infrastructure Report Card (2019). Monitoring the State of Canada’s Core Public Infrastructure.
- Conference Board of Canada (2020). The Economic Case for Investing in Education.
- Nova Scotia Auditor General (2023). Government Hits Historic High in Budget Overspending.
Join the conversation
If this resonated—or challenged you—I’d genuinely like to hear your perspective. Thoughtful disagreement and lived experience are welcome.
Scroll down to the comments below. Please keep it respectful—this is a space for honest, human conversation.