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.
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”:
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.
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).
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.
Curious how social bias shows up in the real world? Here are seven everyday scenarios that you might recognize—or may have experienced yourself.
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.
Recognizing social bias starts with paying closer attention to your thoughts, decisions, and interactions. Here are a few ways to become more aware:
No one is completely free from bias, but noticing it is the first step toward making more fair, inclusive, and thoughtful choices.
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:
Learn more about our online bachelor’s in psychology program and make a decision that could positively impact your entire future. Apply today!
Sources:
https://effectiviology.com/bandwagon/
https://newristics.com/heuristics-biases/authority-bias
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