bias

¹bi·as

noun \ˈbī-əs\

Definition of BIAS

1

: a line diagonal to the grain of a fabric; especially : a line at a 45 degree angle to the selvage often utilized in the cutting of garments for smoother fit

2

a : a peculiarity in the shape of a bowl that causes it to swerve when rolled on the green in lawn bowling b : the tendency of a bowl to swerve; also : the impulse causing this tendency c : the swerve of the bowl

3

a : bent, tendency b : an inclination of temperament or outlook; especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudice c : an instance of such prejudice d (1) : deviation of the expected value of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates (2) : systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others

4

a : a voltage applied to a device (as a transistor control electrode) to establish a reference level for operation b : a high-frequency voltage combined with an audio signal to reduce distortion in tape recording

— on the bias

: askew, obliquely

Examples of BIAS

1. He showed a bias toward a few workers in particular.
2. Do they have a bias against women?
3. The company was accused of racial bias.
4. The decision was made without bias.
5. She showed no bias toward older clients.
6. a student with a strong bias towards the arts
7. … members of the opinion media will cherry-pick moments from the debate that support their own ideological biases. —Michelle Cottle, New Republic, 16 Oct. 2000
8. Blatant racial and gender discrimination is just about over, creating a sociological space in which to worry about subtler forms of bias. —Gregg Easterbrook, New Republic, 20 Dec. 1999
9. Like the printing press before it, the computer has a powerful bias toward amplifying personal autonomy and individual problem-solving. —Katha Pollitt, Nation, 9 Oct. 1995

Origin of BIAS

Middle French biais

First Known Use: 1530

Related to BIAS

Synonyms: favor, nonobjectivity, one-sidedness, partiality, parti pris, partisanship, ply, prejudice, tendentiousness

Antonyms: impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, open-mindedness, unbiasedness

Related Words: chauvinism, cronyism, favoritism, nepotism; self-opinionatedness, self-partiality; bent, inclination, leaning, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency; preconception, prejudgment, prepossession

Near Antonyms: calm, detachment, dispassion, indifference; aversion, dislike, distaste, hate, scunner

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at predilection

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Rhymes with BIAS

Aias, eyas, Laius, Lias, pious, Pius