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Bias details, teaching context, teaching suggestions:
False Consensus Effect | Just World Bias | Social Desirability Bias | Self-Serving Bias | Groupthink Effect | Actor-Observer Bias | Confirmation Bias | Dunning Kruger Effect / Illusory Superiority | Halo Effect | Bias Blind Spot
Bias: False Consensus Effect
Definition of the bias: The false consensus effect is defined as “The tendency for people to overestimate how much others share their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, assuming a general consensus where there may be none.”
The false consensus effect can manifest in educational settings in various ways, affecting both teachers and students. Here are some examples:
Classroom Discussion Assumptions
A teacher might assume that most students share their opinion on a topic discussed in class. For example, during a literature discussion about a controversial novel, the teacher might say, "I think we all agree that the main character's actions were justified."
IMPACT: some students with differing opinions may feel pressured to conform, remain silent, or feel excluded and reluctant to participate.
Classroom performance / Group Projects
In group work, a student might assume that everyone in the group agrees on how to approach a project. For example, one student might say, "We all want to get the project done quickly, right?" and proceed without consulting others.
IMPACT: this can lead to tension and frustration among group members who may have alternative ideas.
Homework Expectations / Feedback on assignments
A teacher might believe that students find a particular homework assignment easy and not time-consuming because they personally find the topic straightforward. They may say, "This assignment shouldn't take more than 30 minutes, so I expect everyone to finish it easily."
IMPACT: many students may struggle with the material and need more time or additional help, but the teacher's assumption prevents them from voicing concerns.
Technology in the Classroom
A teacher might assume that all students are comfortable with using technology for assignments and learning because they themselves are tech-savvy. The teacher may say, "We all know how to use the learning platform, right?"
IMPACT: some students may struggle with accessing or using technology at home due to limited resources or lack of prior experience.
Parental Assumptions
A teacher assumes all parents are supportive of strict homework routines and sets assignments requiring extensive parental involvement, such as projects requiring supervision or materials from home.
IMPACT: Students from less supportive home environments may struggle unfairly due to the assumption.
In-class activity:
Below is an activity in which you can use the same situation for teaching purposes. Please first read the scenario to your students and then have them discuss the situation and its implications. You can use the information provided to guide your class discussion.
Scenario
Ms. Williams, a high school history teacher, is preparing her students for a discussion on current events. She plans to talk about an ongoing national debate over environmental policy. Ms. Williams is personally passionate about environmental conservation and strongly supports stricter environmental regulations.
Before the discussion, she says to the class, "I'm sure we all agree that more should be done to protect the environment, right?" She assumes that most, if not all, of her students share her view because she believes it’s the most rational perspective and thinks it’s a widely held opinion. However, during the discussion, several students express different views. Some support less regulation due to economic concerns, and others are uncertain or hold more neutral stances. Ms. Williams is surprised and a bit taken aback by the diversity of opinions in the room, having assumed that everyone would share her strong pro-environmental views.
Teaching Points:
This scenario demonstrates how Ms. Williams fell into the false consensus bias by overestimating how many of her students shared her opinions on environmental issues.
False Consensus Effect (Cognitive Bias): The false consensus effect is the tendency for people to overestimate the extent to which others share their beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors. This can lead to biased expectations and a lack of awareness about the diversity of opinions that might exist in a group.
Impact on Educational Settings: Teachers, like Ms. Williams, may unconsciously project their personal views onto their students, assuming agreement where there may be none. This can limit open discussion and prevent students from feeling comfortable expressing dissenting opinions. If a teacher doesn’t acknowledge the range of perspectives, they may also miss out on opportunities to engage students in critical thinking.
How to overcome this bias: Encouraging Open Dialogue. To create a more inclusive and open classroom environment, teachers should encourage a diversity of perspectives and avoid making assumptions about students' beliefs. By recognizing that not everyone shares the same views, teachers can foster a learning environment where students feel more confident expressing differing opinions.
Teachers can use this example to show how assumptions about consensus can lead to misunderstandings or surprise when confronted with differing views. It also provides a great opportunity to discuss how people’s perspectives can vary based on background, experiences, and values, and why it’s important to be open to diverse viewpoints in the classroom.
Discussion Questions:
1. How did Ms. Williams’ assumption about her students’ opinions influence the classroom discussion?
2. What could Ms. Williams have done differently to avoid the false consensus effect?
3. Have you ever been in a situation where you assumed others shared your views, only to find out they didn’t? How did that affect your interaction or behavior?
4. Why is it important for teachers to be aware of biases like the false consensus effect when leading discussions in the classroom?
5. How can students and teachers create an environment that respects diverse opinions, even when they disagree on important issues?