When in the presence of charismatic personalities who speak with boldness and authority, do you succumb to authoritative bias?
Authoritative bias is when individuals have a tendency to highly value—or even overly value—the opinions and teachings of those perceived as experts and authority figures.
Be aware of it.
We, as humans have an innate tendency to trust experts and authorities, whether those experts/authorities are right or have our best interests in mind. We feel safe when we follow the advice of experts.
People pleasers are most vulnerable; especially if they were compliant and obedient as children.
Not everyone has your best interests in mind.
It’s okay to ask questions and “buck the system” if something doesn’t feel right.
It’s okay to be skeptical and use critical thinking skills—even if the masses are following the expert—whether that expert is a highly educated minister, teacher, doctor, professor, friend, or has a direct line to God himself!
Listen to your gut instincts. You don’t have to accept everyone’s advice, no matter how educated, confident, authoritative, and persuading they may be.
You are allowed to ask questions.
You are allowed to trust your gut instincts.
You are allowed to engage your brain and think objectively and critically.
And most importantly, you are allowed to walk away if something seems off and doesn’t set right.
Emily Boller, wife, mother, artist, and author is on a mission to create expressive works of art in her lifetime; and to bring awareness to the potentially harmful traps of diet-wellness culture.
In her free time, she loves to chase sunrises, grow flowers and vegetables, and can homemade soups.