Attentional bias refers to how a person's perception is influenced by selective factors in their attention, often towards their recurring thoughts. It can lead individuals to overlook alternative possibilities when their mind is preoccupied with specific ideas. For instance, smokers tend to focus on smoking-related cues, which impacts their perception and decision-making processes, especially in contexts related to their addiction.
A classic example of attentional bias is seen in theists and atheists when trying to determine if God answers prayers. Theists often recall instances where their prayers were fulfilled, focusing on those positive outcomes, while atheists notice the absence of those results, leading both groups to ignore evidence that doesn’t align with their beliefs.
To overcome attentional bias, individuals can consciously force themselves to consider a broader range of information and perspectives, especially those that contradict their current thoughts or beliefs. Mindfulness practices can also help in expanding awareness and reducing selective attentional patterns.