We all have our favorites dont we? In the movies, sports, politics, work, and home too!
When do you think the line between love and logic begins to fade?
Is it loyalty or favoritism that forces us to make a choice? Or does nepotism take over meritocracy?
When will this happen? It is when the bias from liking kicks in!
Liking Bias is a cognitive bias that causes people to favor things they like or prefer over things they do not. This article explains the Liking Bias, how to recognize it, and how to overcome it.
Understanding “Liking Bias”
A cognitive bias wherein people often give preferential treatment to those they care about, favoring them even at the cost of understanding and analyzing facts. This tendency to judge in favor of people we like or love is the bias from liking or loving.
The influence of those we care about can be so strong that it blocks our ability to spot issues or inconsistencies with people or objects we favor. Here, trusting your judgment and biases is prominent instead of looking at the facts objectively. This tendency can cause you only to seek out information from sources you already agree with instead of getting a variety of perspectives.
Wanting to choose and purchase a certain brand of beauty products just because your favorite celebrity does, happens often. Be honest; we’ve all been there – looking through rose-tinted glasses at our friends, parents, idols, and partners. Unfortunately, we tend to focus on their good traits while conveniently overlooking their less-than-perfect qualities.
But here’s the kicker, our liking bias can seriously skew our perception of reality. This can lead us to make biased decisions. Don’t we all remember the cause of the Trojan War, which destroyed an entire kingdom? One can refer to it as the ” Cost of Parental Favoritism” or ” Tragic Consequences of Blind Love”
The Exploited and The Exploiters
Victims of “Liking Bias” can be anyone who takes their feelings for something or someone and uses them to make decisions or judgments without fully examining the facts.
Individuals who hold influential positions, such as salespersons, politicians, or social media influencers, frequently exploit this tendency of human bias for their own benefit.
By building a positive relationship with their potential customers/followers/voters, they can persuade victims of this cognitive Bias to trust their judgment instead of looking objectively at the reality of their situation.
Day To Day Liking Bias
- A teacher gives better grades to their favorite students, despite their actual performance.
- Refusing to accept criticism or feedback from someone you dislike while being more open to feedback from someone you like.
- Giving more attention to an attractive person, even if they may not be the most qualified candidate.
- Assuming that someone who shares your political beliefs is automatically trustworthy, disregarding any flaws or red flags.
- Favoring a family member or friend over other candidates for a job or position, even if they are less qualified
Recognizing When You’re Slipping Into the Liking Bias Trap
It is important to observe a situation objectively to identify whether you are falling into the trap of liking bias. For example, ask yourself if you are making decisions based on facts or feelings toward the person or situation.
You should take into account the potential drawbacks that come with your decision and decide if they are greater than the potential benefits. Additionally, try to be aware of any biases affecting your thinking and actively work to counter them.
Overcoming the Liking Bias Trap
Identify what triggers the bias
Identifying the situations which cause us to make decisions based on our likes and dislikes can help us avoid falling into this trap.
Limit exposure to personal biases
Setting boundaries for ourselves and limiting our exposure to situations that bring out our personal preferences can help keep them in check.
Separate wants from needs
Focusing on what we need rather than what we want can be a powerful way to recognize when we’re letting emotion drive our decision-making.
Ask questions before making decisions
Taking the time to ask ourselves questions before committing to a purchase or other decision helps ensure that our motives are sound.
Final thoughts
Ah, the spellbinding haze of love! It’s no secret that our hearts often overrule our heads, leading us to view our beloved through the filter of favoritism. This captivating phenomenon, dubbed “the blindness of love,” can make us blissfully oblivious to red flags and cloud our judgment.
A classic example of liking bias; A common classroom and a competition underway, and all the students eagerly await to see who will be chosen to represent their class. The atmosphere is tense, the competition is fierce, and everyone is eager to showcase their abilities. However, the result is an unexpected turn, and the teacher’s decision is revealed to be based on personal preference rather than merit. The result? Favoritism prevails!
That’s right! The “favorite” student is chosen over a truly talented child for the competition. Can you imagine this scene of the class with shocking glances and confused murmurs? This behavior is unfair and can have a negative impact on the students involved. The talented children may feel like their hard work and dedication were for nothing. In contrast, the chosen student may feel guilty or undeserving of their success or can even unsurprisingly brag around.
Let’s not forget about the impact on the integrity of the competition. Decisions being made based on personal preferences rather than objective criteria creates a sense of resentment. Moreover, this discourages other students from striving to improve their skills.
Having a balanced view is important, considering both the positives and negatives of a person or situation by recognizing the potential impact of liking bias. We can make more rational decisions that promote healthy relationships and positive outcomes. Have you experienced this bias of personal preferences? If yes, do share your stories with us. Also, subscribe to our newsletter as we explore different psychological tendencies in future blog posts!
Reference
The above article is based on the book Thinking Clearly; this article is here to help us learn and understand how our minds can be tricked by something called cognitive biases.