ABSTRACT
Mistakes such as wrongful convictions have bothered researchers and practitioners for years. One explanation is confirmation bias. We discuss the deeper roots of confirmation bias (in Bayesian updating) before going even deeper to look at the fascinating phenomenon of information cascades. How easily can a cascade start? How many decision-makers does it take? If investigators are prioritising suspects, can a cascade sweep through an investigative team or even across jurisdictions? The answer is that it can. Easily.
