personal equation

American  

noun

1. the tendency to personal bias that accounts for variation in interpretation or approach and for which allowance must be made.

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personal equation British  

noun

1. the variation or error in observation or judgment caused by individual characteristics

2. the allowance made for such variation

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Etymology

Origin of personal equation

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

There are experimentalists, like Picasso, and those who, like Braque, discover their personal equation and go on repeating it.

From Time Magazine Archive

Relations between the U.S. and Europe are complicated by the personal equation.

From Time Magazine Archive

"You under-estimate the personal equation," returned the other.

From A Hero of Li?ge by Strang, Herbert

Her husband had the wisdom to recognise that; although his own happiness was at stake, the matter was beyond the restricted sphere of the personal equation.

From Mrs. Fitz by Snaith, J. C.

It is fully recognised, both by advocates and opponents of payment by result, that the personal equation of the tapper is a very important factor.

From The Preparation of Plantation Rubber by Morgan, Sidney