attention bias

Attention bias refers to the tendency for individuals to focus more on certain types of information while ignoring others, often influenced by emotions, experiences, or beliefs. For example, someone anxious might pay more attention to negative news, while overlooking positive aspects. This selective focus can shape perceptions and decisions, often reinforcing existing biases or beliefs. Attention bias impacts how we interpret our environment and can contribute to mental health issues like anxiety or depression if negative information dominates our awareness. It highlights the way our attention is not neutral but influenced by internal and external factors.