What does contextual bias refer to?

Contextual bias refers specifically to the way additional information can influence the outcome of decision-making and evaluation. When an individual is presented with various contextual factors — such as environmental cues, recent events, or even the framing of a situation — these elements can skew their perception and ultimately affect their judgment. This means that the decision-making process is not purely objective; instead, it is shaped by the surrounding context and the specific details at hand.

For example, if a person evaluates a company's performance based on not only its financial reports but also on recent news articles, social media sentiments, and market trends, they may be applying contextual bias to their decision. Their assessment could be swayed by a particularly negative article or a viral moment, leading them to a conclusion that may not be entirely based on the hard data available.

The other choices describe different aspects of decision-making but do not capture the essence of contextual bias as accurately. Making decisions solely based on current events ignores the larger set of influences at play. Deferring to others’ opinions can reflect conformity or peer influence, which is a separate concept. Indifference to external information suggests a lack of awareness or engagement rather than being influenced by context. Thus, the option highlighting the influence of additional information directly aligns with the