Nepotism: meaning, definitions and examples

Nepotism involves giving jobs or advantages to family members, especially when they are not qualified. This is often seen in workplaces and can have negative connotations.

• The manager was accused of nepotism after hiring his niece over more qualified candidates.
• Nepotism can demoralize employees who don’t have family connections within the company.

Favoritism refers to giving unfair privileges to one person or group over others. It can occur in various settings, such as workplaces, schools, or families, and has a negative connotation.

• The teacher's favoritism was obvious when she always selected the same student for special tasks.
• Employees felt demotivated due to the manager's clear favoritism towards certain staff members.

Cronyism involves giving jobs and other advantages to friends and associates, especially in politics, without considering their qualifications. This term has a negative connotation.

• The mayor was accused of cronyism after appointing his old friends to important city positions.
• Cronyism can lead to inefficiency and poor management when unqualified people are in leadership roles.

Bias refers to a prejudice in favor of or against something, person, or group compared with another, usually in an unfair way. It can occur in many contexts, such as media, hiring practices, or personal opinions.

• The jury's bias was evident when they dismissed the evidence without much consideration.
• News outlets should strive to report without bias to provide accurate information.

Partiality means showing a biased preference or favor towards someone or something. It can appear in personal judgments and decisions, often leading to unfair treatment.

• The referee's partiality was clear when he overlooked fouls committed by the home team.
• Judges must avoid any form of partiality to ensure a fair trial.