PSYC-FPX3520_Hassan_Alexis_Assessment3-1

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1 Frank’s Rationalization of Confirmatory Beliefs Alexis M. Hassan Thomas PSYC-FPX3520 Thinking, Feeling, Believing Capella University November 17, 2023

2 Frank’s Rationalization of Confirmatory Beliefs Case Study Frank begins an individual therapy session with Eduardo for depression. Frank expressed his need to maintain a focus on depression symptoms while avoiding symptoms that have a potential diagnosis as Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD). However, insurance plays a significant role in this focus: depression is reimbursable by insurance, while DPD is not. During the session, Frank listens for anything relating to depression and intentionally avoids addressing symptoms that relate to DPD. The questions are suggestive, and Frank agrees excitedly, while Eduardo agrees haphazardly. In Frank's post-session reflection, he expressed his awareness of the situation. He told himself that bending his therapy style would lead to more success and would inevitably benefit potential clients due to his financial success from this method. This case study reflects the social psychology concept of confirmation bias. Baumeister and Bushman (2021) define it as an individual's preexisting beliefs confirmed through a cognitive bias that highlights select information. To further clarify confirmation bias, the individual might seek proof supporting the belief while discounting anything that does not support it. This aspect can impact how we gather information and influence how we interpret and recall information (Baumeister & Bushman, 2021). Research Support Research Summary Rajsic et al. (2015) attempt to determine whether a search exhibited confirmation bias. Five experiments examine confirmatory search methods through a performance measure during

3 simple tasks. While participants adopted a method of disconfirmation, the confirmatory method was prevalent. Rajsic et al. (2015) identify that participants prefer prioritizing information that shares features with the focus. Research Interpretation Rajsic et al. (2015) conclude that confirmation bias exists even in simple search tasks. More specifically, the study identified that an individual with a specific goal will prioritize information that shares features with an intended goal. The cognitive process will highlight information to match the focus outline rather than a contradictory method that would provide evidence against the focus. Frank's influenced method of diagnostics begins with a set focus: listen for symptoms of depression to obtain evidence for a reimbursable diagnosis rather than one that is not. The case study began with the expression of the intended bias. Frank exhibits confirmation bias, particularly the same methods identified in the article when searching for depression symptoms during the session. Application of Confirmation Bias Franks' case study explains his intentions immediately and expresses what he is searching for and why. Despite his client, Eduardo, exhibiting signs of DPD, Frank is deadest on diagnosing him with Major Depression for financial reimbursement. Frank goes so far as to say he is explicitly filtering out information that does not pertain to a reimbursable diagnosis and only recording what supports it. In later reflection, Frank expresses his awareness of these actions being a poor choice. However, he rationalizes his behavior by justifying his actions by believing that this method change will produce more significant financial gain and result in Frank helping more people through successful business.

4 Frank's confirmation bias is evident by his explicit identification of searching for information that pertains only to his focus and ignoring anything that does not support his focus. So much so that Frank's line of questions during Eduardo's session is leading; they focus on symptoms of depression rather than exploring the comments made by Eduardo. Baumeister and Bushman (2021) explain that confirmation bias is a pattern in thinking that assists people in arguing and convincing. Frank is trying to convince not only the insurance company of a diagnosis but trying to convince himself that this is okay. However, the information Frank intends to submit to insurance is not accurate or correct. Frank reflects on his actions with this awareness and rationalizes that his behavior is okay because he will help more people in the future. Ethical Reasoning Application Ethical Concept Rationalization is the excuse one gives for living to live up to their ethical standards (The University of Texas at Austin, n.d.). People attempt to sustain a positive self-concept due to a desire to reduce cognitive dissonance, which is the distress of occupying contradictory beliefs, resulting in people rationalizing the contradiction. Rationalization can overlook points of logical reasoning, as emotions can camouflage as intuition or logic (Psychology Today, 2023). People can rationalize in two ways: prospective and retrospective rationalizing. The latter refers to rationalization before decision-making, while the former refers to post-decision rationalization (Psychology Today, n.d.). These distinctions are important because identifying understanding, specifically if one knows what they are doing. Awareness of poor choices before acting on them indicates a desire to make the decision regardless. Acknowledging confirmation bias influences

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