What Is Social Bias? Definition, Examples, and How to Recognize It
Have you ever wondered how a particular TikTok trend goes viral so quickly? How about why we never take the blame when something goes wrong, but we’re the first to take credit after a personal victory?
Cue the social biases, a subset of cognitive bias that shapes how we view—well, everything. From relationships and workplace dynamics to healthcare and politics, social biases color our perception of almost every aspect of our lives.
Join us as we dig into four of the social biases that have shaped us on both an individual and societal level.
#1 Bandwagon Effect
Most of us have heard the phrase “jumping on the bandwagon” before, but what does it really mean? Let’s use the Taylor Swift phenomenon as an example. With sold-out concerts all over the world and songs that consistently top the charts week after week, it’s clear that T. Swift is beloved by fans worldwide.
While many fans have loved Taylor from her very first era, others are just now jumping on the bandwagon because everyone else is, too—whether they’re true Swifties or not.
The bandwagon effect can occur in all areas of our lives, from politics to the food we eat and everything in between. But what is the psychology behind the bandwagon effect? Below, we dissect some of the root causes driving this “herd mentality”:
Conformity For many, it feels good to fit in with the crowd. A shared passion, a built-in discussion point—what’s not to love? Others conform because they don’t want to be isolated from others.
Heuristic A heuristic, or mental shortcut, helps us create opinions, especially when we need to make a decision quickly. For example, if all of your friends are voting for a particular politician, you may simply assume they’re a trustworthy candidate and vote in favor of them.
#2 Self-Serving Bias
If you make it to work on time, it’s because you’re a punctual person. But, if you’re late, it’s due to unforeseen circumstances, like the person in front of you who was driving 10 miles under the speed limit. Or maybe you were unlucky enough to hit every red light. Whatever the reason, the cause was definitely an external force.
That’s a self-serving bias, a predisposition that affects how you perceive your achievements and failures. Many people will gladly take credit for their successes while attributing their failures to outside factors.
But why do we all rely so heavily on this bias in our daily lives? Mostly, we find it essential to protect our self-esteem. It hurts our confidence to take responsibility for something that went wrong at work or school. So, instead of recognizing our failures as a natural part of life, it’s easier to blame something else to avoid humiliation.
#3 Actor-Observer Bias
Like the self-serving bias, the actor-observer bias involves attributing internal and external factors to the behavior of others as well as yourself. However, this bias explains the reasoning for other people’s actions as a result of negative internal factors.
For example, let’s say you notice a car weaving in and out of traffic. Instead of wondering if the driver has an emergency and is taking someone to the hospital (i.e., an external cause for their behavior), you assume they’re a careless and reckless driver, attributing the behavior to their personality (i.e., internal factors).
#4 Authority Bias
Have you ever placed your trust in someone simply because they had an impressive job title? For example, let’s say you recently participated in an important company-wide meeting in which the CEO was presenting data. Whether their information was accurate or not, you’re more likely to believe them simply because they hold a position of power. However, if a colleague with a similar job title as yours were presenting the same data, you may be more inclined to question the accuracy of the information.
Authority bias has been instilled in us since childhood. Our parents instructed us to listen to authority figures, like our teachers, and public service officials like police officers. While it’s engrained in us to trust what people in authoritative positions say, it’s important to challenge this bias by thinking for yourself and questioning someone when you have doubts or concerns, no matter their title.
Examples of Social Bias in Everyday Life
Curious how social bias shows up in the real world? Here are seven everyday scenarios that you might recognize—or may have experienced yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Bias
Understanding social bias can feel a bit overwhelming at first, especially because it often operates under the surface. This quick FAQ clears up some common questions and helps break things down in a straightforward way.
What is social bias? Social bias refers to the tendency to favor or disfavor certain people or groups based on stereotypes, assumptions, or cultural norms—often without realizing it.
Is bias always intentional? Not necessarily. Many biases are unconscious, meaning we might act on them without being aware. That’s why awareness is such a key first step toward change.
How does social bias affect decision-making? Social bias can influence how we perceive others, how we interact, and even the choices we make (like who we trust, hire, or include), often in ways that aren’t fair or logical.
Can social bias be unlearned? Yes. It takes effort, but by slowing down, questioning assumptions, and engaging with different perspectives, we can start to reduce bias over time.
What’s the difference between social bias and prejudice? Prejudice usually refers to strong negative feelings toward a group, while social bias can be more subtle and unintentional. Both can be harmful, but bias is often harder to spot.
How to Start Recognizing Social Bias in Yourself
Recognizing social bias starts with paying closer attention to your thoughts, decisions, and interactions. Here are a few ways to become more aware:
Notice your snap judgments. Ask yourself: Why did I assume that? or Where did that impression come from?
Reflect on patterns. Are there certain types of people you tend to trust more, interrupt less, or give the benefit of the doubt to?
Slow down decisions. Whether you’re choosing a coworker for a project or forming an opinion, pausing gives you time to think critically instead of relying on instinct.
Stay curious. Seek out different perspectives, especially from people with backgrounds or experiences different from yours.
Welcome feedback. Being open to gentle correction or insight from others can reveal unintentional blind spots.
No one is completely free from bias, but noticing it is the first step toward making more fair, inclusive, and thoughtful choices.
Earn Your BA in Psychology From UTPB
As a student in The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program, you can learn more about how social biases affect our perceptions of ourselves and others. These perceptions play a role in our everyday decisions, from the music we blast on the way to work to the politicians we vote for in elections.
Some of the exciting courses you can expect to take in our online psychology program include:
PSYC 3311: Social Psychology Examine how and why people are influenced by their social environment with topics including social perception, eyewitness identification, social influence, cognitive dissonance, aggression, and prejudice.
PSYC 3350: Positive Psychology Discover how human behavior allows for success in life, empowers our performance, and demonstrates resilience in the face of the adversities of life.
Learn more about our online bachelor’s in psychology program and make a decision that could positively impact your entire future. Apply today!
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