Why do we consider strange those who disagree with us

I think that in the modern family and working man and woman. They are thrown off on total spending and evenly distribute the chores. When I heard from a friend the other point of view ( "A woman must provide a man, or else why do we need it?"), I start to shake. But how can you think so?! That's nonsense! Perhaps you that something is wrong ...

We are constantly making such conclusions when faced with alternative views. This cognitive bias called the effect of false consensus.

What is the effect of false agreement

Effect of false consensus (False Consensus Effect) occurs when a person thinks their opinions accepted, and the other point of view explains the personal characteristics of people. It was first describedThe «False Consensus Effect»: An Egocentric Bias in Social Perception and Attribution Processes in 1976 after a series of experiments at Stanford.

In one of the students offered a half-hour walk along the street in the advertising sandwich "dined with Joe." They did not pay the money, and did not tell about this man, just warned that the choice of a free - can be dispensed with.

Of those who decided to advertise unknown Joe, 62% thought that there is nothing to be ashamed of, but because other students would agree. Of those who He refusedOnly 33% believed that the rest put on the sandwich costume.

Effect was observed in other experiments. Students are offered a choice in several situations: to participate in a supermarket advertising campaign or not, perform an individual task or work in a group, to support the space program or protest against it. Participants were asked to guess what percentage of fellow students go either way, and to answer that they do and how to appreciate those who hold alternative views.

As expected, the students thought their vision more widespread, and opposition to him explain some personal traits. For example: "Anyone who does not agree to wear a sandwich for the experiment must be very vicious and afraid of public opinion," or "He who goes to it, has no sense of self-worth."

The reasons because of which we do so

There are several mechanismsTen years of research on the false-consensus effect: An empirical and theoretical reviewWhich may explain the effect of a false consensus.

Justify their point of view

Perhaps the simplest explanation - to strengthen their self-esteem. After all, if your opinion is shared by the majority of people, it is certainly correct. Thus we protect ourselves from dissonance and a worm of doubt: "Do I live right? Am I a good person? "

The habit to look like

People - very social creatures. We constantly identify ourselves with others: are looking for similarities, adjust their behavior and attitudes. Therefore, the thought of the similarity between human beings come to mind faster than the differences. Next comes in availability heuristic - other cognitive error that causes the truth to consider that the first thing that comes to mind.

The tendency to focus on the closest circle of friends

As a rule, we are dealing with people who share our values ​​and principles. Therefore, colleagues, friends and family are likely to really support your opinion. The problem is that the social circle - this is not the majority.

Here comes into play another cognitive bias - clustering illusion. It occurs when you have no reason to summarize the data: on one or more occasions judge in the general population. For example, think that the time your 90-year-old grandfather smokesThis habit does not increase the risk of death.

The scientists tested this theory in the experimentWe think you agree: The detrimental impact of the false consensus effect on behavior When students make predictions of behavior of his comrades in an educational institution, the effect of a false consensus manifested itself most clearly.

The emphasis on the influence of the environment

Any opinion can be explained by two factors, "such circumstances" and "kind of person." As a rule, they are mixed in real situations, but people tend to exaggerate the influence of one of the factors and underestimate the value of another.

Moreover, appreciating others' actions, we first think about the personal qualities of the person, and his actions due to external circumstances. For example, if you watch the film and you do not like, do you think that the cause of discontent - the quality of this picture, and not your tastes. In this situation, it is logical to suppose: just a bad movie, it is not like most people. So you are doing.

As the effect of the false consensus spoils life

Effect of false consensus leads to misunderstandings, hasty conclusions and offensive labels. If the point of view of a person does not coincide with your own, you will automatically begin to consider it strange, narrow-minded, too squeezed, too relaxed, and so on.

In the case of the people close to you can still talk and clarify the motives and background, even if it occurs after a quarrel. With new friends, things are worse: disagreement on some issues can disrupt communication and create a negative opinion from the opponents of each other.

In addition, the false consensus effect can deliver a lot of trouble in business and marketing. If you select a product, new solutions or methods of advertising to focus not on the statistics, and on personal views, can be greatly miscalculated.

Another bad effect associated with this error - the belief in a good futureThe Belief in a Favorable Future: People tend to think that sooner or later his opinion supported by the majority of others. This is bad, because in that case, people refuse to fight. Times brighter future will come anyway, why bother?

How to overcome this effect

To avoid falling victim to this effect, try to pay more attention to the facts, and not on their feelings.

Let us examine an example of this approach to alternative views on family life. So, did you hear something with which to disagree fundamentally. Here is how to do further.

1. Check whether there is objective information on: research, statistical data. In our example, you need to know the percentage housewives in Russia and other countries, to find out the connection with life satisfaction, look for other facts on the subject. If the data is there, it is concluded. If not, proceed to the next step.
2. You figure out what circumstances could lead a person to this opinion: previous experience related conviction evidence. At the same time, you remember what you lean, making your choice. Arguments like "It's so obvious!" Will not be accepted. In our example, we take into account family history, examples of friends and acquaintances, cultural characteristics.
3. According to the analysis come to a consensus or at least understand the other person's motives, not rewarding him with a label.