Social Science
Cognitive Biases and Decision Making
1,880 Questions
Explore a curated set of questions on cognitive biases, decision making, and behavioral economics. These concepts evaluate how social norms, emotions, and heuristics influence human judgment and group behavior. Master these topics to build a strong foundation for psychology and social science exams.
Behavioral economicsSocial group influencesEmotional decision makingConfirmation bias
Cognitive Biases and Decision Making Questions
In the context of perception, what is the term used to describe the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more similar to other stimuli that are presented in close proximity to it?
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Assimilation effect
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Contrast effect
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Zero effect
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Proximity effect
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The proximity effect is the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more similar to other stimuli that are presented in close proximity to it.
In the context of human behavior, what is the term used to describe the tendency to prefer a certain option simply because it is presented as the default choice?
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Default effect
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Zero effect
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Anchoring effect
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Framing effect
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The default effect is the tendency to prefer a certain option simply because it is presented as the default choice.
In the context of cognition, what is the term used to describe the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more salient or important when it is presented in a context that is different from its usual context?
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Context effect
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Zero effect
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Salience effect
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Contrast effect
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The context effect is the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more salient or important when it is presented in a context that is different from its usual context.
In the context of perception, what is the term used to describe the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more intense or extreme when it is presented in a context that is different from its usual context?
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Contrast effect
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Zero effect
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Context effect
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Salience effect
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The contrast effect is the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more intense or extreme when it is presented in a context that is different from its usual context.
In the context of cognition, what is the term used to describe the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more likely to occur when it is presented in a context that is consistent with our expectations?
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Confirmation bias
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Zero effect
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Salience effect
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Context effect
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The confirmation bias is the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more likely to occur when it is presented in a context that is consistent with our expectations.
In the context of perception, what is the term used to describe the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more salient or important when it is presented in a context that is different from its usual context?
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Context effect
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Zero effect
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Salience effect
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Contrast effect
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The context effect is the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more salient or important when it is presented in a context that is different from its usual context.
In the context of cognition, what is the term used to describe the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more likely to occur when it is presented in a context that is consistent with our expectations?
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Confirmation bias
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Zero effect
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Salience effect
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Context effect
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The confirmation bias is the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being more likely to occur when it is presented in a context that is consistent with our expectations.
What is the term used to describe the psychological state of feeling invincible and overconfident, leading to underestimation of opponents and increased risk-taking in combat sports?
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Hubris
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Overconfidence
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Grandiosity
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Hubris, overconfidence, and grandiosity are all psychological states that can lead combat sports athletes to underestimate their opponents, take excessive risks, and make poor decisions, potentially compromising their performance and safety.
What is the term for the tendency for people to overestimate the likelihood of rare events and underestimate the likelihood of common events?
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Optimism bias
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Pessimism bias
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Availability heuristic
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Representativeness heuristic
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Optimism bias refers to the tendency for people to overestimate the likelihood of positive events and underestimate the likelihood of negative events.
What is the term for the tendency for people to conform to the beliefs and behaviors of the group they belong to?
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Groupthink
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Social identity theory
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Social loafing
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Deindividuation
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Groupthink refers to the tendency for people to conform to the beliefs and behaviors of the group they belong to, even if they disagree with those beliefs or behaviors.
Which of the following is a key psychological factor influencing environmental risk perception?
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Affect heuristic
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Availability heuristic
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Representativeness heuristic
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Environmental risk perception is influenced by a variety of psychological factors, including the affect heuristic (i.e., the tendency to judge risks based on emotions), the availability heuristic (i.e., the tendency to judge risks based on how easily they come to mind), and the representativeness heuristic (i.e., the tendency to judge risks based on how similar they are to other risks).
What is the term for the tendency for people to believe that they are less likely to experience a negative event than others?
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Optimism bias
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Pessimism bias
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Illusion of control
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False consensus effect
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Optimism bias refers to the tendency for people to believe that they are less likely to experience a negative event than others.
Which of the following is a key psychological factor influencing environmental decision-making?
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Risk perception
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Values
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Cognitive biases
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Environmental decision-making is influenced by a variety of psychological factors, including risk perception, values, cognitive biases, and emotions.
What is the term for the tendency for people to believe that their own behavior is more environmentally friendly than the behavior of others?
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False consensus effect
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Illusion of control
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Self-serving bias
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Greenwashing
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Self-serving bias refers to the tendency for people to believe that their own behavior is more environmentally friendly than the behavior of others.
What is the term for the tendency for people to believe that the benefits of an environmental policy outweigh the costs?
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Optimism bias
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Pessimism bias
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Benefit-cost analysis
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Risk-benefit analysis
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Benefit-cost analysis is a method for evaluating the benefits and costs of an environmental policy.