bias or biases

[thedaffodils]

Voluntary donations remain far below demand in China, partly deu to cultural biases agaiinst organ removal before burial

Hello! I learned "bias" is a uncountable noun or countable noun but usually in singual.

I am wondering why it is in plural in above context? Please help. Thanks!


Here're the definitions from Cambridge Dictionaries Online.

bias (PREFERENCE)
noun
1 [C usually singular; U] a tendency to support or oppose a particular person or thing in an unfair way by allowing personal opinions to influence your judgment:
The government has accused the media of bias.
Reporters must be impartial and not show political bias.
There was clear evidence of a strong bias against her.
There has always been a slight bias in favour of/towards employing arts graduates in the company.

2 [C usually singular] a preference towards a particular subject or thing:
She showed a scientific bias at an early age.

Cambridge Dictionaries Online - Cambridge University Press

[stuartnz]

Hello! I learned "bias" is a uncountable noun or countable noun but usually in singual.

I am wondering why it is in plural in above context? Please help. Thanks!


Here're the definitions from Cambridge Dictionaries Online.


Cambridge Dictionaries Online - Cambridge University Press

(not a professional teacher).One possible explanation is that more than one culture has such a bias. Here in New Zealand, for example, several cultures feel this way, so it would be appropriate to speak of cultural biases against organ donation.

[thedaffodils]

Hi Stuartnz,

You are helpful. I previous assumption was same with you. China has multi-culture.

Thanks for your help.

[tedtmc]

Yes, I have seen 'biases' being used to refer to various types of bias, though the word itself is an uncountable noun. The same applies to other similar words like prejudices.

[thedaffodils]

Hi Tedtmc,

Thanks for your response. I see.