False consensus effect
This is not a diagnosis or a personality trait. A heuristic is a normal shortcut of the mind; a bias arises where it leads to a systematically wrong judgement. If you recognise yourself here, it is an invitation to gently check rather than to label yourself.
What it is
The share of people who share our views, habits or reactions is overestimated; «everyone does that» — where «everyone» is us and our circle.
How it arises and is maintained
Our social circle is the «world» as we perceive it: we see it more often and more vividly than others. The distortion arises when our circle is taken for society as a whole. It is sustained because those who disagree are harder to recall and acknowledge, while the agreement of loved ones emotionally confirms our rightness.
How it may look
- ««Everyone hates their job» — in fact many relate to theirs differently.»
- ««No one would answer like that» — it turns out many would.»
Soft signs in yourself
- Phrases like «everyone does», «no one does» appear without numbers.
- It is hard to name specific people who think otherwise.
- Disagreement is perceived as an exception rather than a significant part.
- One's own habits seem «normal for everyone».
Questions for a Socratic dialogue
- How many people, by my data, actually do that?
- Who do I personally know who thinks otherwise?
- If I set aside my circle, what share of society agrees?
- What stops me from admitting that my norm is not universal?
Self-directed exercise
Test «everyone» with numbers
- Write the statement in the form «everyone does…».
- Estimate what share of people it actually describes.
- Name specific people who think or act otherwise.
- Formulate a thought that describes your norm as one of many, not as universal.
Core beliefs it may be linked to
- ««If I do it, everyone does».»
- ««My circle is society».»
- ««Those who disagree are an exception».»
- ««Being different from the majority is abnormal».»