Confirmation bias is a psychological theory that explains how our brain prefers information that confirms what we already believe, ignoring the rest. It's our brain's way of taking a shortcut through the vast amount of data it needs to sift through every moment.

Let's take the example of the car. Once you own a particular car, your brain becomes more attuned to it. You're likely to notice it more because it's relevant to you. Same goes for the friend. You're often thinking of many things and people. But when someone you were just thinking about calls, you notice and remember it because it confirms the idea that your thoughts were somehow connected to the caller.

However, this also means that we're more likely to ignore or discount things that challenge our beliefs. Let's say you believe in miracles and then hear about a man surviving a fall from an airplane without a parachute. That incident would seem like confirmation of miracles. But do you also count and remember all the times people did not survive such falls? That's what your brain usually skips.

Confirmation bias can sneak into all areas of life, subtly shaping our beliefs, opinions, and decisions, often without us even realizing it. This can be harmful if unchecked, as it can lead to misjudgments and poor decision making based on skewed data.

In conclusion, confirmation bias is our brain's way of giving more weight to things that align with our existing beliefs while ignoring contradicting evidence. Being aware of this bias helps us make better decisions by encouraging us to actively seek out and consider information that challenges our preexisting beliefs or assumptions. Recognition of this bias can lead to a more balanced view of the world and a closer approximation of the truth.