TOEFL Speaking Task 3

Concepts in psychology often explain how people perceive and interpret the world around them. One such concept is the 'false consensus effect', which refers to the tendency for individuals to overestimate the extent to which others share their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. This cognitive bias leads people to assume that their own choices are normal and widely accepted, even when they are not. The effect arises because people rely heavily on their own perspective when predicting others' behavior, and they are less aware of alternative viewpoints. Understanding this concept helps explain why people may be surprised when others disagree with them.

Professor: Now, let me give you an example from a recent study. We asked a group of students whether they would prefer to give a class presentation or write a short essay for their final grade. About 60% chose the essay. Then, we asked each student to estimate what percentage of their classmates would also choose the essay. Interestingly, those who chose the essay estimated that around 75% of others would choose the essay, while those who chose the presentation estimated that only about 40% of others would choose the essay. So you see, both groups overestimated the popularity of their own choice. The essay-preferring students thought most people would agree with them, and the presentation-preferring students thought that most people would also avoid the essay. This perfectly illustrates the false consensus effect—people project their own preferences onto others, assuming that everyone else thinks and acts as they do.