Definition:
Expectation confirmation is a social psychology phenomenon where people tend to ignore attributes in others that are viewed as atypical. People instead tend to search for evidence that confirms expectations and previously existing beliefs. This tendency helps simplify social experiences, but it also distorts our worldview by causing us to accept inconsistent information. Expectation confirmation often contributes to stereotypes about social groups, since people only look for information that confirms their attitudes about these social groups.
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