The Authority Bias
The Authority Bias is a cognitive bias that influences our judgments and decisions making in a way that gives too much deferment to the authority of others. The bias is derived from the tendency to trust and accept information that comes from those in a position of higher authority without scrutinizing or critically analyzing it for verification.
The Authority Bias is heavily linked with the Confirmation Bias, a cognitive error where a person will prefer info or evidence that agrees with their own pre-conceived opinion or beliefs, as opposed to any info or evidence that could challenge or prove them wrong. This is especially true of individuals or groups with a vested interest in preserving their current frame of mind or thought.
The classic example of the Authority Bias in action is seen in a very famous study conducted by Stanley Milgram in which he showed the power of obedience to authority. Milgram asked unsuspecting volunteers to administer shocks to another volunteer, who was actually an actor in on the experiment. The shocks were not real, but the volunteers did not know that and believed the other person actually felt them. Milgram found that 65% of the people went all the way up to the highest level of shock.
That same bias can be seen in real world situations, from workplace dynamics to political issues. In the workplace, it can manifest itself in the form of an unwillingness to challenge a superior who is making a decision. Politically, it can be seen in the way people are willing to unquestionably accept the decisions of their chosen leaders without any deliberation or consideration for other possible choices.
The Authority Bias is one of the many different cognitive biases that influence and guide our decisions, beliefs and opinions. It can be difficult to overcome, but it is important to try and break free of this bias in order to achieve more accurate and objective decision making. Being aware of how authorities might shape or influence our decisions can help us to be more mindful of our judgments and to assess information more objectively.
