# Correct Term for Bias **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 3, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018 "2017-06-03T17:31:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/1 "2017-06-03T17:31:40Z")
I’m curious what phrase or term is used to describe those who think they know better than anyone else. A Few Examples: 1.) People who always think their “people” are the best (like how I am with my mechanic’s garage) 2.) Electricians who despite “the code” always brag about their methods being best. 3.)Those people who think they know the best career path… the “you should do this” types. I’m looking for something other than “Asshole” or “Know-it-all” I am looking for a really succinct phrase or word to describe these people, any suggestions are welcome, the more factual and perfect the better. Sorry if its treads into IMHO. I just can’t think of it. A bout of insomnia yesterday has left me brain fried today. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/2 "2017-06-03T17:51:08Z")
Quite honestly, I think _know-it-all_ is the best word for the sense expressed in your examples. If you want a more formal word, the verb _pontificate_ carries a similar meaning (less frequently used as a noun, _pontificator_). ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/3 "2017-06-03T17:59:50Z")
There are a few very different concepts in those cases above but you may want to search for “fundamental attribution error” or “ultimate attribution error” but the question covers a lot of ground. Actor observer bias partially covers parts 1/2, but I can’t think of any term that would apply to something as broad as all three points. Note that in many professions, holding strong opinions but being open to new information can be the generally preferred as a good trait in some of these fields. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/4 "2017-06-03T18:03:09Z")
my mother ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/5 "2017-06-03T18:18:06Z")
The word “arrogant” comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/6 "2017-06-04T14:03:13Z")
hmm. These are good suggestions. A combination of “arrogance pontificator” sounds pretty good. The irony of all of this is I will likely use the term to attempt to win an argument. I also agree with **rat\_avatar** said, about holding strong opinions and the like, its just hard to find those with strong opinions who also have an open mind. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/7 "2017-06-04T16:26:17Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > my mother Win. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/8 "2017-06-04T16:57:52Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > hmm. These are good suggestions. A combination of “arrogance pontificator” sounds pretty good. The irony of all of this is I will likely use the term to attempt to win an argument. I also agree with **rat\_avatar** said, about holding strong opinions and the like, its just hard to find those with strong opinions who also have an open mind. I’m not sure what you mean by winning an argument. It’s more a description of somebody’s style of discourse and personality. An arrogant pontificator might be right or wrong in their ideas, it doesn’t really have any bearing on that. ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/9 "2017-06-05T17:50:07Z")
45 ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/10 "2017-06-05T17:57:02Z")
> [@janeslogin](#): > > 45 I abdicate my crown. “don’t be a 45”. . . “she’s such a 45”. . . “that 45 down in HR is on my last nerve again” rolls off the tongue! mc ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/11 "2017-06-05T18:04:03Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > I abdicate my crown. “don’t be a 45”. . . “she’s such a 45”. . . “that 45 down in HR is on my last nerve again” rolls off the tongue! > > mc At least a 45 is half right; and that’s better than being obtuse. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/12 "2017-06-05T18:29:16Z")
\< rim-shot \> ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/13 "2017-06-05T19:09:54Z")
> [@anomalous1](#): > > I’m curious what phrase or term is used to describe those who think they know better than anyone else. A Few Examples: > > 1.) People who always think their “people” are the best (like how I am with my mechanic’s garage) > 2.) Electricians who despite “the code” always brag about their methods being best. > 3.)Those people who think they know the best career path… the “you should do this” types. > > I’m looking for something other than “Asshole” or “Know-it-all” > I am looking for a really succinct phrase or word to describe these people, any suggestions are welcome, the more factual and perfect the better. Sorry if its treads into IMHO. I just can’t think of it. A bout of insomnia yesterday has left me brain fried today. Well, there’s always Wikipedia’s [list of cognitive biases,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases) which makes for eternally interesting reading. Upon quick review, there are a few candidates. [Bias blind spot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bias_blind_spot): > [@Wikipedia](#): > > The bias blind spot is the cognitive bias of recognizing the impact of biases on the judgement of others, while failing to see the impact of biases on one’s own judgment. In other words, you think other people’s thinking is screwed up, and yours isn’t. Or maybe [choice-supportive bias?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choice-supportive_bias) > [@Wikipedia](#): > > …choice-supportive bias or post-purchase rationalization is the tendency to retroactively ascribe positive attributes to an option one has selected. In other words, you remember that all your past choices worked out great, even though some of them actually didn’t. So you happily recommend other people make the same choices you did. [Mere-exposure effect:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mere-exposure_effect) > [@Wikipedia](#): > > The mere-exposure effect is a psychological phenomenon by which people tend to develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them. In other words, you’ve always wired things this way, and the electrical code is weird and new, so you keep wiring things the way you’ve always done it. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correct-term-for-bias/788018/14 "2017-06-06T01:34:47Z")
BEAUTIFUL! THIS! This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you **Machine Elf**! Fascinating segments to read as well. . I get peevish about the “Try this for a career” thing. It is as people don’t realize that what works for one may not work for another. Example: People would recommend to a friend to get into Radiology stuff in medicine, a “good career”. They don’t think that the person who has depression issues as it is, won’t be affected by the environment (that aspect of medicine is used in people who are usually seriously ill and could die). It’s irritating in the least. Thanks again!