A type of bias where a person focuses on those who passed a selection process while ignoring those who did not.May accidentally be done by researches and news outlets while showing statistics,however,survivorship bias can be used to skewer results intentionally.
A common example of survivorship bias is the story of when multiple researchers examined where planes who came back from WW1 were most damaged.The researchers found that the wings and the back of the plane were the most shot spots.They initially decided to reinforce the spots that were shot the most,however a researcher who was still thinking pointed out that the planes that came back only were shot in the wings and the back of the plane,however those who did not return were shot in the spots that the planes that returned werent shot in.Therefore,the scientists ultimately decided to reinforce the places that returning planes werent shot in.
A common example of survivorship bias is the story of when multiple researchers examined where planes who came back from WW1 were most damaged.The researchers found that the wings and the back of the plane were the most shot spots.They initially decided to reinforce the spots that were shot the most,however a researcher who was still thinking pointed out that the planes that came back only were shot in the wings and the back of the plane,however those who did not return were shot in the spots that the planes that returned werent shot in.Therefore,the scientists ultimately decided to reinforce the places that returning planes werent shot in.
A doctor is talking to his patient about a new experimental vaccine that could potentially treat the patient's infection.This is how the conversation goes:
Patient:Doctor,this experimental vaccine,what is its effectiveness rate?
Doctor:The vaccine was found to be 90 percent effective in curing the disease you have.
-What happened to the remaining 10 percent?
-...I dont know.
The doctor leaves to check the medical records and returns 10 minutes later.
Doctor:The records say that the remaining 10 percent died 1 to 4 days after the vaccine.
Patient:Survivorship bias at its finest...
Patient:Doctor,this experimental vaccine,what is its effectiveness rate?
Doctor:The vaccine was found to be 90 percent effective in curing the disease you have.
-What happened to the remaining 10 percent?
-...I dont know.
The doctor leaves to check the medical records and returns 10 minutes later.
Doctor:The records say that the remaining 10 percent died 1 to 4 days after the vaccine.
Patient:Survivorship bias at its finest...
by sadbartsimpsonreal October 17, 2025
Get the Survivorship biasmug.