bias

What does “bias” mean?

noun.prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another.

SAT Usage

This term often appears in passages discussing social issues, psychology, or media analysis. It emphasizes the influence of unfair preferences or prejudices on decision-making and perceptions, distinguishing itself from related terms like "opinion," which lacks the connotation of unfairness or imbalance.

Common Confusions

Bias implies an unfair preference or prejudice towards one side, while opinion usually suggests a personal belief or judgment that does not inherently carry an unfair connotation.

Example Sentences

• Confirmation bias can lead even careful researchers to flawed conclusions.

• The journalist tried to eliminate bias from her reporting by presenting multiple perspectives.