Acquiescence Bias

A response bias in which participants tend to agree with statements or respond affirmatively regardless of the actual content, often to be accommodating or to avoid conflict with the researcher. In accessibility research, acquiescence bias can be amplified among participants with disabilities who have internalized patterns of compliance from navigating systems that require them to be agreeable. Researchers working with people with cognitive disabilities have noted a particular tendency toward acquiescence, which may stem from a desire to be liked or from difficulty processing complex relationship dynamics in a research setting.