false consensus effect

n. False consensus effect is people's overestimation of the extent to which others are similar to them, in terms of attitudes, behaviors, and attributes. This effect is accentuated when the actual percentage of individuals who share the similarity is low, and attenuated when the estimation is made for an out-group. This effect may happen because people are motivated to perceive others as sharing their opinions, beliefs, or attributes. It may also result from biased recall of instances of others' opinions that are similar to one's opinions.

-EWMA, CYC

► See also AVAILABILITY HEURISTIC and SELF-SERVING BIASES