हिंदी

Sources of Biases> Motivational Bias

Estimated time: 19 minutes

CISCE: Class 12

Meaning

CISCE: Class 12

A person identifies a need/benefit they want from someone.
Starts attributing positive qualities to the target — even knowing the target has negative traits.
Adjusts words, behaviour, and judgments to please the target.
Once work is done, flattery stops.
If refused later, they immediately start blaming and attributing bad qualities to the same person.

CISCE: Class 12

The main purpose of social perception is to identify others' motives and attitudes in social interaction.
Motivational bias disrupts this by causing errors in judgment.
Mann: "Error in judgment is due to faulty generalisation from the person's role in action at the expense of situational determinants."
A person focuses on what the target can do for them rather than on the actual situation.

CISCE: Class 12

CISCE: Class 12

Fear of punishment makes the person give cautious, low-estimate responses to ensure success.
A person suppresses weaknesses to appear as an expert.
Responses become self-protective rather than honest.

CISCE: Class 12

CISCE: Class 12

The contractor wants a tender for bridge construction.
Flatters and praises the officer/minister — even though he knows the officer is notorious and greedy.
Gets the tender — his work with the minister is over.
Refused the second time — starts blaming and attributing bad qualities to the same officer.
The officer didn't change — only the contractor's self-interest changed.

CISCE: Class 12

Motivational bias is a conscious bias where a person praises someone to gain benefits.
A person attributes positive qualities and adjusts their behaviour to please the target.
After achieving the goal, the flattery stops and may turn into blame if refused later.
It distorts social perception because judgments are based on self-interest.
Rewards and fear of punishment influence how a person presents themselves.
It is temporary and conscious, unlike cognitive bias, which is unconscious and stable.