The type of bias that occurs when someone's evaluation of another person is influenced by their own inherent cognitive biases is called?

• A. Observer bias
• B. Halo effect
• C. Confirmation bias
• D. Stereotyping

Answer: (A)

Observer bias is the tendency for the person evaluating someone else to let their own cognitive biases color what they notice and how they judge. This means the assessment reflects internal beliefs or expectations rather than objective behavior, leading to a biased evaluation even when the person being evaluated is the same. The halo effect describes how one trait can spill over to influence judgments about other traits, but not specifically about the evaluator’s own biases; confirmation bias is about seeking evidence that confirms preconceptions, and stereotyping involves applying broad generalizations to individuals. So, observer bias best fits a judgment colored by the evaluator’s own cognitive biases.