Question

Agatha Harkness-Smythe is determined to ban guns in the United States. This is a controversial topic and social scientists have debated whether the ownership of guns by citizens increases or decreases crime. Agatha could go the library and research this, using the social science literature. Instead, Agatha just reads the local newspaper and only cuts out articles about robberies where the "bad guy" used a firearm. Agatha is using a heuristic device that is impeding or obstructing her thinking. Define this heuristic device. What might be a better way for her to examine the issue and avoid this mistake

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

The heuristic device here is confirmation bias. Confirmation bias occurs when we confirm previous beliefs by seeking out evidence albeit in an impartial manner such that we do not look or consider all the facts. This is demonstrated by agartha as she only cuts out the area where there is g*n violence or harmful use of guns buy doesn't consider all facts to the problem such as the other places where g*ns could actually be live savers. She could avoid this by trying to broaden her perspective or considering all the facts