BiasSocial judgment · Conformity Bias · Entry 158
Shared Information Bias – when groups focus on what they all know, ignoring new insights
Does your team spend hours discussing obvious facts while ignoring a crucial detail known only to a few? That’s Shared Information Bias – the tendency for groups to focus on what everyone already knows instead of sharing unique insights.
Where it can show up
- Meetings & planning – teams discuss well-known issues while overlooking fresh perspectives.
- Strategic decision-making – instead of analyzing new data, groups waste time reiterating the obvious.
- Science & medicine – clinicians and researchers rely on established knowledge, sometimes missing groundbreaking discoveries.
A practical countermeasure
- Actively seek new voices – ask questions to uncover missing insights.
- Create space for unique ideas – encourage people to share what others may not know.
- Focus on what hasn’t been discussed – challenge the group with: ‘What are we overlooking?’