Category: Alternative Dispute Resolution Category: Alternative Dispute Resolution (show less)

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 negotiations 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. 

Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
1. Define Confirmatory bias and understand psychological bias
2. Identify 5 types of bias that influence the ADR, Legal and Mediation Processes
3. Learn three tools for identifying personal bias affecting your practice
4. Discover three techniques for overcoming personal bias in decision making
5. Identify two practical methods for maintaining an open mind 

12:00 PM - 12:10 PM
Introduction to Confirmatory Bias - Definition of confirmatory bias, overview of cognitive bias in decision-making, importance of recognizing bias in legal, mediation and all ADR practices.
Scott Welch, Orlando

12:10 PM - 12:20 PM
The Psychology of Confirmatory Bias - Cognitive processes behind confirmatory bias, how 15 bias shapes our perception and decision making, the role of confirmation bias in legal settings (case analysis, argument construction).
Scott Welch, Orlando

12:20 PM - 12:35 PM
Confirmatory Bias in Mediation and Legal Context - How mediators and attorneys and ADR professionals can unintentionally reinforce bias, examples/Cases Studies of confirmatory bias affecting case outcomes, impact on negotiations, client relations, and fairness in resolutions.
Scott Welch, Orlando

12:35 PM - 12:45 PM 
Identifying Confirmatory Bias in Practice - Signs of confirmatory bias in decision making and communication - Tools for self-reflection and recognizing bias during interactions with clients and opposing parties, how to assess whether a bias is influencing case evaluation.
Scott Welch, Orlando

12:45 PM - 1:00 PM
Mitigating Confirmatory Bias: Strategies and Tools - Techniques for overcoming personal biases in decision making practical methods for maintaining and open mind and to listen effectively, approaches for mediators to facilitate neutral discussions, how attorneys can promote objectivity during negotiations and litigation.
Scott Welch, Orlando

1:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Questions and Answers and Closing Remarks  - questions and discussions from participants, review of Key Takeaways, closing remarks.
Scott Welch, Orlando