Question

When arguing with your boss over a new workplace policy, you tell your boss, "Everyone thinks the new policy is unfair!" Later, several coworkers tell you that they did not agree with what you said and that what you stated did not represent their beliefs. This is an example of ______________.

A False consensus effect
B Self-serving bias
C Fundamental Attribution Error
D Actor-observer bias

Answer 1

A. False consensus effect

The scenario described where an individual overestimates how much others agree with their opinion is an example of the false consensus effect.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you tell your boss, "Everyone thinks the new policy is unfair," and later find out that several coworkers do not agree with your statement, this is an example of the false consensus effect.

The false consensus effect occurs when a person overestimates the extent to which their beliefs or opinions are typical of those of others.

This cognitive bias leads individuals to assume that their personal qualities, characteristics, beliefs, and actions are relatively widespread through the general population when they may not be.

The situation described in the question is an example of the false consensus effect. The false consensus effect refers to the tendency for individuals to overestimate the extent to which others share their beliefs, attitudes, and opinions.

In this case, the person arguing with their boss assumed that everyone else felt the same way about the new workplace policy, when in reality, their coworkers did not agree with them.

This bias can occur when people rely on their own perceptions and assumptions rather than seeking out the perspectives of others.