Status quo bias is a cognitive bias reflecting a preference for maintaining the current state of affairs. This bias leads people to favor existing conditions, even when better alternatives exist, and to resist change. The term was coined in 1988 by William Samuelson and Richard Zeckhauser.
This bias can significantly impact decision-making in various aspects of life, including personal choices, business decisions, and policy-making. It can lead to suboptimal decisions, hinder innovation, and affect the ability to adapt to new processes. Emotional factors, such as fear of the unknown, attachment to current situations, loss aversion (focusing more on potential losses than gains), and regret avoidance, often influence this bias. Sticking with what worked in the past may be seen as a safe option.
Status quo bias is evident when people prefer things to stay the same by doing nothing or by sticking with a decision made previously. It has been studied across diverse fields, including business, economics, information systems, psychology, medicine, politics, law, energy, and sustainability.
