Anchoring Bias
nounan·chor·ing bi·aspronounced ANG-kər-ing BIY-əs
Last reviewed 16 April 2026
What does the noun Anchoring Bias mean?
A cognitive bias where the first piece of numerical information you receive (the 'anchor') disproportionately influences your subsequent judgements and decisions, even when the anchor is irrelevant to the decision at hand.
How the noun Anchoring Bias is used
Anchoring bias is why a $50,000 renovation quote feels reasonable after you have just spent $900,000 on a house — the big number resets your sense of scale.
Synonyms
anchoring effect
Related words
Cite this entry
MLA citation: "Anchoring Bias." How to Property, 16 Apr. 2026, https://howtoproperty.com.au/definitions/anchoring-bias. Accessed 29 May 2026.
Chicago citation: How to Property. "Anchoring Bias." Last modified April 16, 2026. https://howtoproperty.com.au/definitions/anchoring-bias.
APA citation: How to Property. (2026, April 16). Anchoring Bias. https://howtoproperty.com.au/definitions/anchoring-bias