# 50. Self-delusion - the manipulation of self ## 50.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 50.5.19. Selective thinking Selective thinking is the process whereby one chooses to remember favourable evidence for a belief, while ignoring and forgetting unfavourable facts. This kind of selective thinking is the basis for most beliefs in the psychic powers of so-called mind readers and mediums. It is also the basis for many, if not most, occult and pseudoscientific beliefs. We should note that 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.