Which bias refers to overreliance on computer-generated suggestions?

• A. Omission bias
• B. Anchoring bias
• C. Automation bias
• D. Confirmation bias

Answer: (C)

Automation bias is the tendency to rely too heavily on computer-generated suggestions, accepting the machine’s output without enough human verification. This happens because automated results often seem authoritative, are fast, and are perceived as consistent, which can make people trust them even when they’re flawed or when human judgment is necessary. In practice, it can lead to missed errors, not considering alternative diagnoses or options, and deferring to the machine’s recommendation in important decisions. The other biases involve different patterns—omission bias is about choosing inaction to avoid potential harm, anchoring bias is sticking to the first information encountered, and confirmation bias is seeking evidence that only supports preconceptions—so automation bias best captures the idea of overreliance on computer-generated suggestions.