________ bias is the most common type of bias for appraisers.

• A. Intentional bias
• B. Unintentional
• C. Cultural bias
• D. Confirmation bias

Answer: (B)

Bias in appraisal often comes from unconscious influences rather than deliberate manipulation. This unintentional bias is the most common because judgments are shaped by cognitive shortcuts and habitual patterns that slip in during data gathering, selection of comparable properties, and interpretation of market signals, all without conscious intent to skew the result. While intentional bias would involve a conscious motive to alter value, professional ethics and oversight make that less likely. Cultural bias and confirmation bias describe specific influences that fall under the broader umbrella of unintentional bias; confirmation bias is a common subtype, and cultural bias is another potential influence, but neither is as representative of everyday appraisal judgments as unintentional bias.