Moral, Political, and Workplace Biases
Authority bias
Overweighting the view of a senior person.
What Is Authority bias?
Authority bias is a thinking trap where overweighting the view of a senior person.
How It Tricks You
It can turn partial social evidence into a confident judgment about people, motives, or groups.
Real-World Example
A suggestion sounds correct mainly because a senior leader said it.
Seen Online As
- An expert said it, so that is enough for me.
- The AI said it confidently, so it must be true.
- A famous person posted it, so I trust it.
What To Ask Instead
Is rank substituting for evidence?
Related Thinking Traps
Common Situations
Quick FAQ
What is Authority bias?
Overweighting the view of a senior person.
What is an example of Authority bias?
A suggestion sounds correct mainly because a senior leader said it.
How do I spot Authority bias?
Is rank substituting for evidence?