StatusquoBias

Status quo bias is a cognitive bias in which people disproportionately favor the current state of affairs over changes to it, perceiving departures as risks or losses even when alternatives may be beneficial.

Several mechanisms contribute to this bias, including loss aversion, risk aversion, cognitive effort, and fear of regret. Default effects and perceived switching costs further anchor people to existing options.

In everyday life, status quo bias can influence healthcare decisions (sticking with familiar treatments), financial choices (holding onto existing portfolios or plans), and consumer behavior (continuing to use a known product). It can also shape public policy, where defaults or regulatory regimes affect outcomes.

Researchers describe it in the framework of prospect theory and behavioral economics, noting that people evaluate changes relative to the current baseline rather than to a neutral option.

Critics argue that the bias is not always maladaptive; hesitancy to change can reflect legitimate concerns about costs, information gaps, or uncertain benefits. The bias can be mitigated by decision aids, simplification, and by using well-chosen defaults.

Related concepts include the default effect, the endowment effect, and loss aversion.