Extension neglect refers to the cognitive bias where individuals give undue weight to specific details while overlooking the bigger picture. In online communities, this often leads to skewed discussions where minor aspects dominate the conversation, leaving critical context or comprehensive views unaddressed. This bias can impact decision-making, mislead debates, and create disproportionate focus on trivial elements.
To mitigate extension neglect, community managers can guide discussions by emphasizing the broader context and encouraging users to consider all dimensions of a topic. Structured prompts, pinned explanatory posts, or community guidelines emphasizing holistic analysis can help steer members toward balanced and informed conversations.
In a forum discussing a new healthcare policy, members might fixate on a single controversial clause without evaluating its overall benefits and limitations. A moderator can redirect the conversation by summarizing the policy's key points, ensuring participants consider its full scope before forming opinions