Social Media, Confirmation Bias, & Echo Chambers

In our last blog, we learned why individual recovery is the key to changing government at all levels. We must begin thinking outside the box, asking difficult questions, then question the answers we received. Why do governments create a two-or-three party system? Why does the word government mean mind control? Why do governments gaslight and manipulate their own people with the appearance of choice while being the puppet master behind the curtain controlling both parties?

I read a lot of books and information on different topics and perspectives. I often recommend the best information and books to my clients. I read a lot because I have discovered that in order to find the diamonds one must dig through a lot dirt and ore.

What I mean by “good” information is that it stretches me to think differently. I do not always agree with everything that I read, listen to, or the author’s conclusions. However, if I only read information that confirms my bias, what have I really learned and how have I grown? I am the same person after I read the book as I was before I read the book. A “good” book makes me think about what I think about or my held beliefs about a topic. It makes me think about why I believe what I believe. How do I know what I know?

Confirmation bias can be easily misunderstood as if you are learning something new. However, you are not really learning anything new, just reinforcing your already existing beliefs.

Confirmation bias is defined as “the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with one’s existing beliefs”

-Britannica

So how are politics, personal relationships, and social media connected? Well, have you noticed when online shopping for clothing, car parts, items for your pet or children, researching a topic of political or special interest, you now see it in your social media feed? When you stop to read or listen to a post while scrolling that interested you regarding your political or religious beliefs, more posts similar to it will “randomly” be fed to you?

AI and its algorithm programs are studying you and your every move, putting you into a filter bubble. Filter bubbles assume the information you want to see and then feed you that information based on your search, likes, and click history. (View Beware of Filter Bubbles.)

In addition, short social media videos are creating confirmation bias with what are known as echo chambers.

An echo chamber (EC) is an environment or ecosystem in which participants encounter beliefs that amplify or reinforce their preexisting beliefs.

-Wikipedia

“ECs contribute to the spread of misleading information, false news, or rumors, which have negative social impacts. Therefore, it is necessary to explore echo chamber effects in short video platforms… According to recent studies, the echo chamber effect of social media can promote the spread of misleading information, fake news, and rumors. Such information usually harms people, society, or economics.”

– Scientific Reports 4.18.23

So, what does this have to do with therapy and your professional, personal relationships, or your marriage? It has everything to do with it.

In the last 5 years, I have observed a significant drop in married couples coming to therapy… together. They are now coming…individually. Twenty years ago, women would initiate therapy. Now it is more often the men or husbands initiating therapy. What is going on?

In my opinion, it is due to 30-second to 3-minute video clips, forums, influencers who confirm beliefs or thinking that reinforces your ego that your partner is a “narcissist” or here are the “signs” to “help” you know if you are in a relationship with one lead to this theory. Or media posts, such as you need to get out because you “deserve better.” This is creating damage, division, and disunity in our personal and professional relationships.

It sets your mind in this direction: “If they loved me, they would do ___________. If they did _______, I would do ________. If he/she would be _________, then I would be ________. If you really knew me. you would _________. I will be happy when you ___________.”

This creates a victim mentality which only creates separation between you and your partner. This kind of love is manipulative and judgmental. This is classic codependency; outside-in living.

I belief because of the negative impacts echo chambers create, divorce rates continue to rise as fewer couples are willing to have healthy conversations and discourse…together. They have been reinforced to make up their mind …individually with emotionally charged messages confirming existing thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

Many are not willing to have uncomfortable conversations together. This is also an issue happening between parents and their children or children and their parents.

The ego attaches itself to your existing and reinforced expectations that this is what “love” or a “healthy” relationship really is “supposed” to be. It is easy to love pretty, beautiful things and those who agree with our perspectives. It is difficult to love people who disappoint us, let us down, or have different perspectives that challenge us. But this is real love. Loving others for who they are, AND who they are not, as well as the differences they bring to the table.

These now reinforced and unrealistic fantasies fill your mind and emotions. Spending hours scrolling and listening to these messages and never having a conversation with your partner about your wants or needs that are not being met, causes unnecessary emotional suffering for you and your partner, who most likely is unaware there is a problem.

These unbalanced messages you spend time listening to or reading tells the filter bubble to give you more of this kind of information. I am not saying it is right or fair, but we need to be aware of this and rise above it.

As we have learned, the ego loves to be “right.” When it is confirmed that it is right, it digs its heels in deeper.

We must do better, strive toward unity, and stop being played or manipulated by social media. Information that confirms your existing bias may be destructive for your relationships.

Sources

Echo Chamber Effects on Short-Video Platforms (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-33370-1)
Fake News/Misinformation/Disinformation: What is Confirmation Bias? (https://subjectguides.lib.neu.edu/fakenews/bias)

Cory Schortzman Executive Director

Cory Schortzman is an author, speaker, teacher and licensed mental health professional. Since 2008, he has served as the Executive Director of Transformed Hearts Counseling Center in Colorado Springs, CO. He is the founder of SARA, the Sexual Addiction Recovery Association. Cory is passionate about helping couples and individuals overcome sex addiction. He is also passionate about bringing awareness to the public and supporting the elimination of sex and human trafficking. Cory has been married since 1998 to his beautiful wife, Kerry, and lives in Colorado with their four daughters. He and Kerry have been seen on the CBS Early Show, Inside Edition, and ABC Good Morning America, Fox 21 News, and TLC/Discovery discussing the harm of sex addiction and the joys of recovery. He has also been heard on numerous radio programs.

Cory’s books include: Out of the Darkness, Into the Light the Workbook, Into the Light the Steps, Ashes to Beauty the Steps, 301 Dating Ideas, 301 Conversational Ideas, 301 Ways to Say I Love You, 301 Ways to Love Your Children & 301 Recovery Tools & Tips.