Glossary
Status Quo Bias
What is status quo bias?
Status quo bias is a disproportionate preference for an option because it is the current or previous choice. Samuelson and Zeckhauser found that labeling an option as the status quo increased its selection while the alternatives stayed the same.
Why people stay put
Loss aversion is one proposed explanation, discussed by Kahneman, Knetsch, and Thaler. But switching costs, uncertainty, and considered preferences can also explain staying with a choice. Persistence alone does not establish bias.
Example: how to test status quo bias
A service could compare selections when different plans are described as the current plan, keeping the available options the same. Genuine costs of switching must be considered before calling the difference a bias.
Why it matters
A default can affect selection without benefiting the person. Measure the outcome that matters. Selecting a service plan, for example, does not tell you whether it meets the customer’s needs.