Final answer:
The cognitive bias that shows an unjustified preference for the current state of affairs is known as status quo bias. This bias can cause resistance to change due to preference for existing situations and can affect a range of decision-making processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of cognitive bias that refers to an unjustified preference for the current state of affairs is known as status quo bias. This bias is characterized by a preference for the existing situation and can result in resistance to change even when better alternatives are available. Status quo bias can influence decision-making in various contexts, from personal choices to policy decisions.
Cognitive biases are systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, where inferences about other people and situations may be drawn in an illogical fashion. They arise from the natural, and usually efficient, operations of the brain but can lead to perceptual distortion, inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretation, or what is broadly called irrationality.
Cognitive biases play a significant role in shaping our perceptions and decisions, and they include widely recognized patterns such as confirmation bias, anchoring bias, availability heuristic, bandwagon fallacy, and many others. Each bias can have a profound effect on how we see the world and make decisions, which is why understanding and recognizing them is crucial for critical thinking and decision-making processes.