Confirmatory Bias – Staying Neutral in a Bias World!

Live Zoom webinar by Scott Welch, a Florida Supreme Court-certified family and appellate mediator and licensed mental health counselor in Florida with over 25 years of counseling experience. Course number 9000 is approved for 1.5 CLE. ADR Section members register for $65, and all registrants have 90-day, on-demand access. REGISTER

This webinar will explore the concept of confirmatory bias and its impact on the work of mediators, counselors, attorneys, and ADR professionals. Confirmatory bias occurs when individuals seek out or interpret information that confirms their preexisting beliefs, ignoring evidence that contradicts them. This bias can significantly influence neutrality, decision making, and negotiation strategies, and dispute resolution outcomes.

Using practical examples and real-world scenarios, we will demonstrate how confirmatory bias manifests in legal and mediation processes. Attendees will learn how this bias can affect their ability to assess cases objectively, communicate effectively with clients and opposing parties, and develop fair resolutions. This presentation will also provide strategies for recognizing and mitigating confirmatory bias, including techniques for improving critical thinking, fostering open-mindedness, and encouraging impartiality in all ADR practices. By the end of the webinar, participants will gain insights into how to enhance their professional effectiveness by minimizing the influence of bias on their decision-making processes.

Attorneys, counselors, ADR professionals, and anyone who wants to discover how confirmatory bias is affecting their life and practice is encouraged to attend.