Acquiescence Bias

TL;DR

• Respondents have a tendency to agree with statements or questions, which can produce inaccurate or skewed data.
• This bias often appears with leading or loaded questions, many true/false or multiple-choice items, and in group or interview settings where people avoid conflict.
• Reduce it by using balanced, neutral questionnaires, adding open-ended questions, and triangulating data with multiple collection methods.

Definition

Acquiescence bias is a form of response bias that occurs when individuals tend to agree with statements or questions, regardless of their accuracy or truthfulness. This tendency to agree with statements can lead to inaccurate responses and skewed data, resulting in unreliable research findings.

Explanation

Acquiescence bias causes respondents to select agreement-oriented answers even when those answers do not reflect their true views or knowledge. It can be triggered by question wording (for example, leading or loaded questions), by the format of assessments that encourage guessing toward a preferred option, or by social dynamics in interviews and focus groups where individuals may agree to avoid conflict or to appear likable. The result is inflated or distorted measurements that compromise the validity of research conclusions.

Examples

Survey question wording

If a survey contains leading or loaded questions, individuals may be more likely to agree with the statements in order to appear more satisfied or positive. For example:

• “Do you strongly agree that the product exceeded your expectations?” — this may lead individuals to select the “strongly agree” option, even if their actual satisfaction level is lower.

Educational assessments

If a test contains a large number of true/false or multiple-choice questions, individuals may be more likely to select the “true” or “correct” option, even if they are unsure or have little knowledge about the topic. This can lead to inflated scores and a false sense of proficiency in the subject matter.

Interviews and focus groups

Acquiescence bias can occur in interviews and focus groups, where individuals may be more likely to agree with the interviewer or group leader in order to avoid conflict or appear more likable. For example, if a group leader asks the group if they agree with a certain statement, individuals may be more likely to agree in order to fit in with the group and avoid being seen as disagreeable.

Notes or pitfalls

• Acquiescence bias can have significant impacts on research findings, leading to inaccurate and unreliable data.
• To reduce the effects of acquiescence bias, researchers can:
  • use balanced and neutral questionnaires,
  • avoid leading or loaded questions,
  • incorporate open-ended questions that allow individuals to provide their own opinions and thoughts,
  • use multiple methods of data collection, such as interviews and observations, to triangulate data and ensure accuracy and validity.

Related terms

• Response bias
• Leading or loaded question
• Triangulation