The false consensus effect

The false consensus effect is a relatively simple cognitive bias that describes our tendency to overestimate the degree to which others share our own opinions, beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviors.

In essence, we assume that our way of seeing the world and our choices are more common or "normal" than they really are.

Belief in the Universality of Ownership

This bias manifests itself when we take it for granted that others will agree with our views, for example, in a conversation about politics or social issues.

We may express an opinion expecting widespread agreement and be surprised or even angry if we encounter opposition or very different perspectives.

The fundamental error here is to project our own ideas and experiences as if they were the universal norm, without considering the diversity of thoughts and experiences that exist.

Implications for Practice and Relationships

At the professional level or in project development, the effect of false consensus can lead to errors in judgment.

For example, when creating a product or service, we can assume that, if it seems excellent and useful to us, others will also immediately perceive it as such.

This assumption can lead to a lack of adequate market research or a misunderstanding of the true needs and preferences of the target audience.

When a product is not as successful as expected, the surprise can be great if it has been operated under this bias ("How strange! Why doesn't my product like it?").