Authority bias
We believe that the views of an authority figure(Eg. God, Govt., Parent) is more accurate - and let it influence our options.
Cause
Individuals are motivated to view authority as deserving of their position and this legitimacy leads people to accept and obey the decisions that it makes. There is a psychological motivation for believing in the steadiness, stability and justness of the current social system.
Consequences
- Authority bias is used as a marketing strategy in order to increase the legitimacy of claims made about a product.
- In pharmaceutical settings, non-experts blindly follow expert's commands, resulting in the distribution of harmful drugs and inappropriate healthcare practices.
- Deference to authority can occur mindlessly as a kind of decision-making short cut.