Example Of Literature Review On Historical Bias

Within Bias in Historical Description, Interpretation, and Explanation, by C. Behan McCullagh, McCullagh argues that historical bias is unnecessarily present within historical documents. McCullagh admits the fact that historians, just like average people, are bias. These biases can come through in the historians’ writing and documents, whether they are intended or unintended. McCullagh shows that these historical biases can be misleading to readers and students of history. There are four different types of biases. The first bias is that they misinterpret evidence. This can happen when a historian accepts some evidence but ignores others. The second bias is when some information about the historical subject is purposefully or accidently omitted, which in turn shows only one side of the subject. The third type of bias is when the information present is based on false facts. The fourth type of bias is when the reader is misled through missing information. McCullagh shows that these can all happen accidently, but they can also happen because the author wants to produce a certain outcome to understanding from the writing.
The motivation for biased historical documents can come from a variety of places, including social groups, such as a political party. McCullagh makes a point to separate cultural bias from personal bias because it occurs for different reasons and has different consequences. There are many examples of this type of bias in historical writings, some of which have been identified and corrected. McCullagh warns against using the word “biased” to describe historical situations in which were accidently or unknowingly able to make a correct determination or present accurate facts about the subject. The difficulty with cultural bias is that, unlike personal bias, it is very difficult to correct.
McCullagh’s main argument is to show that personal bias can be partially avoided by historians. McCullagh shows how many individuals believe that it is impossible for a historian to put aside their personal biases. All humans have biases, whether they are intention or not, or even known, or not. Because of this, McCullagh shows how many individuals believe that it is impossible for history to be free of biases, because it will always be told from the perspective of a human, and all humans have biases. McCullagh proves the point that although humans have biases, good historians can use their skills to intentionally recognize and put aside their biases.
Through historians recognizing and understanding their biases, they can work towards putting these biases aside when they are writing. McCullagh states that “historians can put commitment to rational standards of historical inquiry ahead of a desire for a certain outcome, thereby significantly reducing the bias of their accounts”1. McCullagh shows that, despite the biases that all human beings have, historians can use their critical thinking skills to show the truth behind history. McCullagh uses examples of past historians and historical documents as evidence to back up her beliefs that personal bias can be removed. McCullagh’s use of this evidence gives support to her cause, and allows the reader to believe that this is possible. McCullagh proves the point that although cultural bias is not as easily removed, personal bias can be almost eliminated from history through the understanding of historians. Overall, McCullagh shows the different forms of bias possible in historical writing, and ways for that bias to be overcome.