Selective perception is the tendency not to notice and more quickly forget stimuli that cause emotional discomfort and contradict prior beliefs. It occurs automatically, influencing how individuals filter and process information based on biases, expectations, and past experiences. This cognitive bias shapes consumer focus in marketing, influences voter perception in politics, and helps understand biases in mental health.
A teacher may favor one student and ignore their poor performance while not noticing the progress of their least favorite student, leading to skewed assessments of both students.
To overcome selective perception, actively seek out and consider information that contradicts your beliefs, and engage in discussions with diverse perspectives.