Authority bias is the tendency to attribute greater accuracy to the opinion of an authority figure, leading individuals to believe these views are more credible even when the content may not warrant such trust. This bias highlights the human inclination to comply with authority, stemming from a perceived legitimacy and respect for social hierarchy.
A classic example of authority bias is Stanley Milgram's experiment, where participants were willing to administer what they thought were lethal electric shocks to others simply because an authority figure (the experimenter) instructed them to do so.
To overcome authority bias, encourage critical thinking and seek multiple viewpoints, especially when making important decisions influenced by authority figures.