What does the term 'false consensus effect' describe?

• A. The belief that most people share one's personal beliefs and behaviors.
• B. The tendency to underestimate group differences.
• C. The tendency to perceive one’s beliefs as unique.
• D. The psychological reaction to social pressure.

Answer: (A)

The term 'false consensus effect' describes the belief that most people share one's personal beliefs and behaviors. This cognitive bias leads individuals to overestimate the extent to which their opinions, preferences, and behaviors are common among others. For instance, someone who strongly supports a particular political view may assume that others around them hold similar viewpoints, regardless of the actual diversity of opinion within the broader population.

This effect can influence social interactions and perceptions of social norms, as individuals might feel affirmed in their beliefs simply because they wrongly believe that many others share those views. It highlights how personal experiences and perspectives can shape one's understanding of societal consensus. In contrast, the other options focus on different psychological phenomena: underestimating group differences pertains to a lack of awareness of variation within groups; perceiving one's beliefs as unique refers to the tendency to see one's views as distinct rather than shared; and the reaction to social pressure involves responding to external influences rather than internal perceptions of consensus.