Belief and Reasoning Biases
Congruence bias
Testing only the possibility you already expect.
What Is Congruence bias?
Congruence bias is a thinking trap where testing only the possibility you already expect.
How It Tricks You
It can make a conclusion feel proven because it fits what already seems true.
Real-World Example
A tester only checks whether their favorite explanation works.
Seen Online As
- The fast interpretation is doing more work than the evidence.
- The claim feels obvious before the check question is asked.
- A shortcut is making the judgment feel more certain than it is.
What To Ask Instead
What alternative should I test?
Related Thinking Traps
Common Situations
Quick FAQ
What is Congruence bias?
Testing only the possibility you already expect.
What is an example of Congruence bias?
A tester only checks whether their favorite explanation works.
How do I spot Congruence bias?
What alternative should I test?