B2noun2K

Bias

UK /["/ˈbaɪəs/"]/US /["/ˈbaɪəs/"]/

Definition

a strong feeling in favour of or against one group of people, or one side in an argument, often not based on fair judgement

In simple words: An unfair preference or dislike of something or someone.

Examples

  • The study was criticized for its bias in selecting participants.
  • It's essential to recognize our own bias when evaluating information.
  • Her bias towards one political party became evident during the discussion.
  • In statistics, a bias can occur when a sample does not represent the population accurately.
  • The artist's bias influenced the way the subject was portrayed in the painting.
  • There is a bias in media that often favors sensational stories.
  • In machine learning, bias can affect the performance of algorithms.
  • He tried to avoid any bias in his research findings.
  • The bias inherent in his opinion made it difficult to trust his judgment.
  • Awareness of bias is crucial in promoting fair decision-making.

Usage notes

Use 'bias' when discussing unfair treatment or preferences, often in contexts like media, research, or personal opinions. Avoid using 'bias' in casual conversations without context as it may sound overly formal.

Grammar pattern

bias + object

Memory hint

Think of 'buy us' - when you have a bias, you might favor one thing that 'buys' your opinion.

Collocations

  • clear
  • definite
  • marked
  • have
  • demonstrate
  • display
  • creep in
  • exist
  • occur
  • with bias
  • without bias
  • with a bias

Synonyms

  • prejudice
  • partiality
  • favoritism
  • inclination
  • predilection

Antonyms

  • objectivity
  • fairness
  • neutrality

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'bias' with 'prejudice' - bias is more about preference.
  • Using 'bias' without an object; it usually requires something to be biased against.
  • Mispronouncing 'bias' as 'bee-iss' instead of 'bye-iss'.