We may like someone simply because we believe that they like us – and if we would stop and think about it, we would know that there is no logical reason for the decision. In any event, what is important to remember about affinity bias is that our feelings for someone may be based on nothing more than the color of their skin, their gender, their age, their neighborhood or even the music they listen to. In other cases, it can mean that we become racists or sexists when the people with whom we identify are of a specific race or same gender. In some cases, this may mean that we refuse to associate with those who don’t think as we do. When we feel so strongly about our beliefs and opinions that people who disagree with them evoke a strong negative response in us, affinity bias has gotten out of control.
Affinity Bias DefinitionĪffinity bias can turn into discrimination when we become too attached to people who are like us. And when obsessive tendencies take over our lives, bad things happen – often without us even knowing it. It’s what we do! But there is a limit to the principle of affinity bias, when it turns into discrimination and eventually becomes an obsession. It’s natural human behaviour - having things in common makes us feel comfortable. We enjoy conversations with those whose thoughts and opinions agree with ours. This means that as a society, we tend to like those who share our values and beliefs.
When we gravitate towards people who are similar to us, it’s called affinity bias.
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