The belief that accumulating more data will result in a better decision even if the additional data is extraneous or irrelevant is called:

• A. Availability bias
• B. Selection bias
• C. Confirmation bias
• D. Information bias

Answer: (D)

This centers on information bias: the idea that simply gathering more data will automatically improve a decision, even when the extra data is extraneous or irrelevant. More information isn’t always better; it can add noise, overwhelm judgment, and lead you to overestimate the confidence of a decision because quantity is mistaken for quality. In valuation and fair housing practice, the goal is to focus on relevant information that provides clear signals, not to pile up data for its own sake. Availability bias involves what’s most easily recalled, selection bias concerns how data is sampled, and confirmation bias is about seeking evidence that supports preconceptions. Information bias best captures the belief that more data by itself makes for a better decision.