False consensus
False consensus is the tendency to overestimate how many people share our beliefs, choices, or ways of acting.
Definition
This cognitive bias makes one's own perspective seem more common and obvious than it actually is. It can lead to incorrect assumptions in relationships, communication, products, and group decisions. Proofreading requires actively examining a variety of perspectives rather than relying on intuition.
Key ideas
- Overestimating the universality of one's own views
- Projection of the norm onto others
- The risk of wrong social decisions
Practice and life
Before assuming that "everyone is like this", ask at least three different people or check the data. Separate your own experience from the population conclusion.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to treat your own circle as a representation of all people. It is also a mistake to ignore minority voices because "the majority probably thinks like me."
> Just because something seems obvious doesn't mean everyone sees it that way.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- How do I know others think the same way?
- Is my sample of people diverse?
- What data could challenge my assumption?