Decision-Making Biases
Omission bias
Judging harmful inaction as less serious than harmful action.
What Is Omission bias?
Omission bias is a thinking trap where judging harmful inaction as less serious than harmful action.
How It Tricks You
It can make one option feel obvious before the tradeoffs have been checked.
Real-World Example
Someone feels less responsible for harm caused by doing nothing.
Seen Online As
- The fast interpretation is doing more work than the evidence.
- The claim feels obvious before the check question is asked.
- A shortcut is making the judgment feel more certain than it is.
What To Ask Instead
Would the outcome matter either way?
Related Thinking Traps
Common Situations
Quick FAQ
What is Omission bias?
Judging harmful inaction as less serious than harmful action.
What is an example of Omission bias?
Someone feels less responsible for harm caused by doing nothing.
How do I spot Omission bias?
Would the outcome matter either way?