What is 'hearing what you want to hear'?

• A. It leads to strict discipline
• B. Misinterpretation due to bias or expectation
• C. Increases objectivity
• D. Improves memory

Answer: (B)

Hearing what you want to hear is a perceptual bias where your expectations color what you perceive and interpret. When you expect a certain outcome, you’re prone to interpret ambiguous information in a way that confirms that expectation, rather than objectively weighing all data.

In practice, this means you might treat a borderline instrument reading or an uncertain ATC phrase as supporting the outcome you hope for, while discounting data that disagrees. That’s misinterpretation due to bias or expectation.

That’s why this choice is best: it captures the idea of biases shaping perception and interpretation. The other options don’t fit because they describe discipline, objectivity, or memory effects, none of which explain why you’d interpret information to align with your desires.