What is the term for the process of filtering out information that does not align with our existing beliefs?

The process of filtering out information that does not align with existing beliefs is best described by the term "confirmation bias." Confirmation bias refers to the tendency of individuals to favor information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative or opposing information. This cognitive bias can significantly influence how people process information, leading them to overlook facts or details that challenge their viewpoints.

In the context of the options provided, selective retention refers to remembering information that supports one’s beliefs while forgetting information that contradicts them, but it is a different process from filtering information during initial exposure. Information overload pertains to the state of being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available, making it difficult to process any of it effectively. Selective attention involves focusing on specific aspects of information while ignoring others, but it does not inherently include the element of aligning with existing beliefs. Thus, the most appropriate term for the process described in the question is confirmation bias.