Biased assimilation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-LAW-000711",
  "term": "Biased assimilation",
  "field": "Law",
  "definition": "A cognitive tendency for individuals to interpret new information in a way that confirms their pre-existing beliefs, while scrutinizing or discounting evidence that contradicts them. In a legal context, this psychological phenomenon can affect how judges, jurors, and attorneys evaluate evidence and testimony, potentially leading them to give more weight to facts that support their initial impressions of a case. This can influence everything from pretrial motions to the final verdict, as fact-finders may unconsciously filter information through the lens of their biases.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/law/biased-assimilation/"
}