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

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to believe that we have more control over events than we actually do?

  1. Illusion of control

  2. Optimism bias

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Hindsight bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The illusion of control is a cognitive bias that leads us to believe that we have more control over events than we actually do. This can lead us to take unnecessary risks or to blame ourselves for events that are beyond our control.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to remember events that are more emotionally charged or vivid?

  1. Availability heuristic

  2. Hindsight bias

  3. Illusion of control

  4. Peak-end rule
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The peak-end rule is a cognitive bias that leads us to remember events based on how they peaked (the most intense moment) and how they ended, rather than on their overall duration or average intensity.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to believe that we are better than average?

  1. Illusion of superiority

  2. Optimism bias

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Hindsight bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The illusion of superiority is a cognitive bias that leads us to believe that we are better than average in various domains, such as intelligence, driving ability, or moral character.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a heuristic?

  1. Using the availability heuristic to estimate the likelihood of an event

  2. Using the representativeness heuristic to judge the probability of an outcome

  3. Using the anchoring heuristic to set a starting point for negotiations

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that we use to make judgments and decisions quickly and efficiently. For example, we may use the availability heuristic to estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily we can recall instances of that event.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to believe that we are less likely to experience negative events than others?

  1. Optimism bias

  2. Illusion of control

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Hindsight bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The optimism bias is a cognitive bias that leads us to believe that we are less likely to experience negative events than others. For example, we may believe that we are less likely to get sick or to lose our job.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to believe that events are more predictable and controllable than they actually are?

  1. Illusion of control

  2. Optimism bias

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Hindsight bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The illusion of control is a cognitive bias that leads us to believe that we have more control over events than we actually do. This can lead us to take unnecessary risks or to blame ourselves for events that are beyond our control.

Multiple choice

Which psychological phenomenon refers to the tendency of individuals to believe information that confirms their existing beliefs, while disregarding or discounting information that contradicts them?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Selective perception

  3. Illusory correlation

  4. Groupthink
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out and interpret information that supports one's existing beliefs, while ignoring or downplaying information that contradicts those beliefs.

Multiple choice

Which psychological phenomenon refers to the tendency of individuals to conform to the beliefs and behaviors of the group they belong to, even if those beliefs and behaviors may be irrational or harmful?

  1. Groupthink

  2. Conformity

  3. Social influence

  4. Obedience
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when individuals in a group suppress their own doubts and criticisms in order to maintain harmony and consensus within the group. This can lead to poor decision-making and unethical behavior.

Multiple choice

Which psychological phenomenon refers to the tendency of individuals to attribute their own successes to internal factors, such as their abilities or efforts, while attributing their failures to external factors, such as bad luck or circumstances?

  1. Self-serving bias

  2. Illusory superiority

  3. Fundamental attribution error

  4. Confirmation bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute one's own successes to internal factors, such as abilities or efforts, while attributing one's failures to external factors, such as bad luck or circumstances.

Multiple choice

Which psychological phenomenon refers to the tendency of individuals to believe that they are more likely to experience positive events and less likely to experience negative events than others?

  1. Optimism bias

  2. Illusory superiority

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. Confirmation bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Optimism bias is the tendency to believe that one is more likely to experience positive events and less likely to experience negative events than others.

Multiple choice

Which psychological phenomenon refers to the tendency of individuals to believe that they are better than average in various domains, such as intelligence, attractiveness, or moral character?

  1. Illusory superiority

  2. Self-serving bias

  3. Optimism bias

  4. Confirmation bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Illusory superiority is the tendency to believe that one is better than average in various domains, such as intelligence, attractiveness, or moral character.

Multiple choice

Which psychological phenomenon refers to the tendency of individuals to believe that they are more likely to experience positive events and less likely to experience negative events than others?

  1. Optimism bias

  2. Illusory superiority

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. Confirmation bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Optimism bias is the tendency to believe that one is more likely to experience positive events and less likely to experience negative events than others.

Multiple choice

Which psychological phenomenon refers to the tendency of individuals to believe that they are more likely to experience positive events and less likely to experience negative events than others?

  1. Optimism bias

  2. Illusory superiority

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. Confirmation bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Optimism bias is the tendency to believe that one is more likely to experience positive events and less likely to experience negative events than others.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the view that moral judgments are subjective and vary from person to person?

  1. Moral Intuitionism

  2. Moral Relativism

  3. Moral Nihilism

  4. Moral Conventionalism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Moral relativism is the view that moral judgments are subjective and vary from person to person. Moral relativists believe that there is no objective standard of right and wrong and that what is considered moral or immoral depends on the individual or the culture.

Multiple choice

Which psychological concept refers to the tendency of individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors and their failures to external factors?

  1. Self-Serving Bias

  2. Fundamental Attribution Error

  3. Confirmation Bias

  4. Illusory Correlation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Self-serving bias is a cognitive bias in which individuals tend to attribute their successes to internal factors, such as their abilities or efforts, while attributing their failures to external factors, such as bad luck or unfavorable circumstances.