One-sidedness

One-sidedness refers to the state or quality of presenting, favoring, or considering only one perspective, viewpoint, or set of facts, often to the exclusion of others. It embodies a lack of balance, fairness, or objectivity, leading to a distorted or incomplete understanding of a situation or issue. This characteristic can manifest in various contexts, including arguments, media coverage, political discourse, and personal opinions. It implies a bias or prejudice, deliberately or inadvertently, that disregards alternative viewpoints and potential complexities, ultimately resulting in an unbalanced representation or interpretation. It indicates a deficiency in critical thinking, often promoting a narrow and potentially misleading conclusion.

One-sidedness meaning with examples

• The news report's one-sidedness, highlighting only the government's perspective on the policy, fueled criticism from opposition parties. The lack of opposing voices created an unbalanced narrative, hindering viewers from forming a complete understanding and fostering informed opinions. Independent journalists found flaws, pointing out the need for further investigation of contrasting information to avoid a biased view and present accurate reporting.
• During the debate, the politician’s persistent one-sidedness in addressing the economic crisis – blaming only the opposing party without acknowledging any contributions from his own side – alienated many voters. His strategy's narrow focus diminished their chance to address complicated aspects. This one-sided approach ultimately undermined his credibility and made it difficult for constituents to have any trust in his leadership.
• The company's presentation displayed blatant one-sidedness by only showcasing the positive aspects of their product while deliberately concealing potential flaws and customer complaints. This skewed representation misled potential investors and consumers, creating unrealistic expectations. Their avoidance of negative data showcased unethical business practice. It also damaged their overall reputation within the marketplace.
• In her research, the historian’s one-sidedness in selecting sources – primarily using documents that supported her pre-existing beliefs – compromised the objectivity of her analysis. Her reliance on limited documents skewed historical events. The lack of varied primary sources affected the reliability of her conclusions. This bias weakened the validity of the findings.
• The therapist noticed the patient’s consistent one-sidedness, continuously attributing their problems solely to external factors, while refusing to accept any personal responsibility for their own choices. His focus on blaming others prevented any real self-assessment. This unwillingness to self-reflect hindered his progress in therapy, and impaired his treatment plan.