Authority Bias
Deferring to people who look, sound or are titled like authorities, regardless of whether the content holds; obedience rates in Milgram-style studies are as high today as in 1961.
An everyday example
Accepting a consultant's number because of the firm on the slide, not the method behind it.
What it can cost you
Outsourcing judgment to costume, title or institution; impersonation of authority.
Warning signs
- I did not check because of the title.
- The firm's name did the convincing.
One thing to do
Separate the credential from the claim: ask how they know, what the evidence is, and what a rival expert would say.
Is this happening to you right now?
Describe your situation and get a read across all six brains. No account needed.
Check my situationRelated
Not medical, legal or financial advice. How Decision IQ works
One decision idea a week
One useful idea. No daily drip, no pressure.