Understanding and Mitigating Authority Bias in Business and Beyond
Duygu Güner Gültekin · Advances in human resources management and organizational development book series · 2024
The need for authority in society persists, with individuals expected to follow instructions unless in absolute isolation. Epistemic authorities, perceived as having valid knowledge in specific fields, guide peoples' understanding of the world. This includes leaders, experts, and even automated systems, all of whom can influence attitudes and actions. However, blind obedience to authority has detrimental consequences, referred to as “authority bias.” This bias leads people to reflexively follow perceived legitimate authorities, impacting law enforcement, policymaking, business, marketing, and consumer behaviour. It can be triggered by symbols of authority, compelling storytelling, and charismatic figures. Today, it extends to non-human entities such as algorithms and robots, raising questions about their role in decision-making. Mitigation strategies include introducing conflicting authorities and empowering junior employees to challenge opinions with data.