Authority bias

Decision biases biases

Authority bias is when you give greater weight to the opinion of someone in a position of authority, even when they are not an expert on the matter. We tend to trust titles, fame, or status instead of checking whether the person actually has relevant knowledge. Authority bias and appeal to authority are largely the same idea: one is the mental tendency, the other is the argument that uses "an expert said so" as proof. Related: Appeal to authority.

Examples

  • A famous athlete endorses a brand of cereal, so you assume it must be the best choice, even though athletic skill does not make them an expert on nutrition.

  • A senior colleague recommends a software tool; you adopt it without evaluating alternatives, even though they have no special expertise in that area.

  • A celebrity speaks out on a political issue and their fans shift their view, treating fame as expertise on policy.

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