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MENTAL MODEL · M0284

False Consensus Effect

False Consensus Effect
BehaviorHigh supportSocial Psychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

People tend to overestimate the degree to which others agree with their own opinions, beliefs, and behaviors. We assume that everyone thinks like us.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Break out of the echo chamber. When designing products, don't assume that "if I find it easy to use, users will too." You are not the user. You must force yourself out of your comfort zone to seek out "dissenting opinions," because they reflect the real-world distribution better than agreeing opinions.

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Anchor fast decisions

People tend to overestimate the extent to which others share their own views and preferences, treating their own perspective as the majority view.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_consensus_effectZH · Explicit
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