Selective thinking

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Selective thinking is the process by which one selects out favorable evidence whilst ignoring unfavorable evidence for a belief. It is the basis for most beliefs in the psychic powers of so-called mind readers and mediums, notably Nostradamus. It is also the basis for many, if not most, religous, occult and pseudoscientific beliefs.

Selective thinking works independently of wishful thinking and should not be confused with biased thinking, whereby one seriously considers data contrary to one's belief, but one is much more critical of such data than one is of supportive data.

See also

See also: Selective thinking, Clairvoyance, Confirmation bias, Divination, Forer effect, Fortune-telling, Magical thinking, Nostradamus