Social Biases

Authority bias

Giving extra weight to authority figures.

What Is Authority bias?

Authority bias is a thinking trap where giving extra weight to authority figures.

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 the authority relevant to this claim?

Related Thinking Traps

• Anchoring bias
• Confirmation bias
• Framing effect
• Loss aversion

Common Situations

• Thinking Traps in Relationships
• Thinking Traps at Work
• Thinking Traps in Politics

Quick FAQ

What is Authority bias?

Giving extra weight to authority figures.

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 the authority relevant to this claim?