Studies show that people are more likely to believe information that confirms their existing views than information that contradicts them—a phenomenon called confirmation bias. Interestingly, individuals with higher cognitive ability and more education are not immune; some research suggests they may actually be more skilled at constructing arguments to defend their beliefs, potentially making them more resistant to new evidence.
Based on the passage, it can be inferred that
cognitive ability protects individuals from all forms of bias
uneducated people are the most prone to confirmation bias
scientific evidence automatically changes people's beliefs
intellectual sophistication may sometimes reinforce rather than counteract biased thinking
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. Higher ability can be used to defend beliefs rather than question them.
- Context clues: High-ability individuals are "more skilled at constructing arguments to defend their beliefs."
- Meaning: Intelligence can serve bias rather than correct it.
- Verify: Being "more resistant to new evidence" despite intelligence shows the troubling pattern.
💡 Strategy: When an expected protection (intelligence) fails to work as expected, infer a counterintuitive mechanism.
Choice A is incorrect because high-ability individuals "are not immune." Choice B is incorrect because the educated may be "more resistant." Choice C is incorrect because confirmation bias shows evidence doesn't automatically change views.