AP Psychology Practice Test

Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that causes individuals to search, interpret, or remember information in a way that confirms their preconceptions and beliefs. This means that individuals tend to seek out and favor information that aligns with their existing beliefs and ignore or discredit information that contradicts their beliefs. Option A is incorrect because confirmation bias does not lead to novel solutions, but rather reinforces existing beliefs. Option B is incorrect because it suggests that confirmation bias simply hinders the ability to view problems differently, but it goes beyond that by actively seeking information to support one's beliefs. Option D is incorrect because while confirmation bias can lead to overconfidence, this is not its primary effect. Therefore, option C is the most accurate choice as it directly reflects the main effect of confirmation bias.