用证据引导提示缓解大模型在代码异味检测中的盲从问题
Mitigating LLM Sycophancy in Code Smell Detection Using Evidence-Guided Reasoning Prompts

- 设计结构化提示让模型先看代码证据再判断
- 模型对提示敏感,错误对齐率超90%,翻转率最高72%
- 新方法使错误对齐降至21%,适合代码质量评估场景
大型语言模型(LLMs)因其理解程序语义的能力,被越来越多地用于代码异味检测。然而其在不同提示条件下的可靠性尚未充分探索,尤其当模型输出受外部提示影响而非代码本身特征时。一种关键限制是盲从偏差:模型倾向于迎合用户假设而非进行客观分析。本文首次系统性地研究了基于LLM的代码异味检测中的盲从偏差。使用MLCQ数据集,我们评估了确认偏见、矛盾提示和虚假前提等不同提示框架对模型预测的影响。结果显示,模型对提示变化极为敏感,决策翻转率高达72%,错误对齐率超过90%,表明其预测极不稳定且易受误导。为此,我们提出证据引导去偏提示(EGDP),一种强制以证据为先的推理结构。该方法显著降低决策不稳定性,将翻转率降至最低12%,错误对齐率降至最低21%,同时增强对结构性证据的依赖。结果表明,盲从偏差严重威胁基于LLM的代码异味检测可靠性,而证据引导推理是一种有效且可推广的缓解策略。
原文摘要 · Abstract (English)
Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly used for code smell detection tasks due to their ability to interpret program semantics. However, their reliability in this context remains poorly explored, particularly under varying prompt conditions where model predictions may be influenced by external cues rather than code characteristics. One such limitation is sycophancy bias, where models tend to align their outputs with user-provided assumptions instead of performing objective analysis. In this paper, we present the first systematic empirical study of sycophancy bias in LLM-based code smell detection. Using the MLCQ dataset, we evaluate how different prompt framings like confirmation bias, contradictory hints, and false premises affect model predictions. Our results show that LLMs are highly sensitive to prompt variations, with Decision Flip Rates reaching up to 72% and False Alignment Rates exceeding 90%, indicating substantial instability and agreement with misleading prompts. To address this issue, we propose Evidence-Guided Debiasing Prompting (EGDP), a structured prompting strategy that enforces evidence-first reasoning. EGDP reduces decision instability and improves robustness, lowering Decision Flip Rates to as low as 12% and False Alignment Rates to as low as 21%, while increasing reliance on structurally grounded evidence. Our findings demonstrate that sycophancy bias poses a critical threat to the reliability of LLM-based code smell detection, and that evidence-guided reasoning provides an effective and generalizable mitigation approach.
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