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Different people Quote by Thomas Gilovich

“When deciding whether we prefer French or Italian films, for example, we must first determine exactly what the terms French and Italian films mean. The precise way that we interpret these two categories will not only decide our own preference, but will exert a parallel influence on our estimates…” quote by Thomas Gilovich
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““When deciding whether we prefer French or Italian films, for example, we must first determine exactly what the terms French and Italian films mean. The precise way that we interpret these two categories will not only decide our own preference, but will exert a parallel influence on our estimates of the preferences of others. If we think of The Bicycle Thief and La Strada when we think of Italian films, for instance, we may be more likely to prefer Italian films ourselves and to estimate that a larger percentage of the general population would have the same preference than if we construe Italian films to mean spaghetti Westerns. Note that this interpretation of the false consensus effect rests on two assumptions: a) different people construe the same choices quite differently, and b) people generally fail to recognize this fact and thus fail to make adequate allowance for it when making consensus estimates. It seems that the process of interpretation is so reflexive and immediate that we often overlook it. This, combined with the widespread assumption that there is but one objective reality, is what may lead people to overlook the possibility that others may be responding to a very different situation.””

Thomas Gilovich

About This Quote

Our interpretation of categories shapes personal preferences and perceived consensus.

In simple terms: Labels affect taste and assumptions about others.

Key Takeaway

Be aware of labeling bias.

Themes

cognition bias social perception

Mood

reflective critical

Type

analytical insightful

When to use this quote

  • marketing
  • film criticism
  • public opinion surveys

Key Concepts

psychology media studies decision making

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do your own categories influence your judgments?
  • Can you identify a time you misjudged consensus?
A Different Perspective

Labels can oversimplify complex realities.

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