Social Science

Cognitive Biases and Decision Making

1,902 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 are some of the factors that contribute to the bystander effect?

  1. Diffusion of responsibility

  2. Pluralistic ignorance

  3. Evaluation apprehension

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

The bystander effect is influenced by a number of factors, including diffusion of responsibility, pluralistic ignorance, and evaluation apprehension.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to attribute our own beliefs and desires to others?

  1. Egocentrism

  2. Projection

  3. Confirmation bias

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

Projection is the tendency to attribute our own beliefs and desires to others. This can lead us to misunderstand others and to make inaccurate predictions about their behavior.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the ability to understand that others can have different beliefs than us, even if we know that they are wrong?

  1. Metacognition

  2. Theory of mind

  3. Perspective-taking

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

Metacognition is the ability to understand that others can have different beliefs than us, even if we know that they are wrong. This is a more advanced form of theory of mind that develops later in childhood.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the ability to understand that others can have different perspectives than us?

  1. Perspective-taking

  2. Empathy

  3. Theory of mind

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

Perspective-taking is the ability to understand that others can have different perspectives than us. This is a key component of theory of mind.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the idea that our understanding of other people's minds is based on our own mental states?

  1. Egocentrism

  2. Projection

  3. Confirmation bias

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

Egocentrism is the idea that our understanding of other people's minds is based on our own mental states. This can lead us to misunderstand others and to make inaccurate predictions about their behavior.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to favor members of one's own group over members of other groups?

  1. In-group favoritism

  2. Out-group derogation

  3. Social identity bias

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

In-group favoritism is the tendency for individuals to favor members of their own group over members of other groups. This bias can manifest in various forms, such as giving preferential treatment to in-group members, evaluating them more positively, and cooperating with them more readily.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where group members suppress their individual opinions and conform to the majority view?

  1. Groupthink

  2. Social conformity

  3. Social influence

  4. In-group favoritism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when group members suppress their individual opinions and conform to the majority view, even if they disagree with it. This can lead to poor decision-making and a lack of critical thinking within the group.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to compare oneself to others who are similar to oneself?

  1. Upward social comparison

  2. Downward social comparison

  3. Lateral social comparison

  4. Self-evaluation maintenance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Lateral social comparison is the tendency to compare oneself to others who are similar to oneself in terms of social status, abilities, or other relevant characteristics.

Multiple choice

Which phenomenon occurs when individuals strive to reduce the inconsistency between their beliefs and behaviors?

  1. Cognitive dissonance

  2. Self-perception theory

  3. Attribution theory

  4. Social identity theory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Cognitive dissonance is the phenomenon that occurs when individuals strive to reduce the inconsistency between their beliefs and behaviors. This can involve changing their beliefs, changing their behaviors, or finding ways to rationalize the inconsistency.

Multiple choice

Which type of attribution occurs when individuals attribute their successes to internal factors and their failures to external factors?

  1. Self-serving bias

  2. Fundamental attribution error

  3. Actor-observer bias

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

Self-serving bias is the tendency for individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors, such as their own abilities and efforts, and their failures to external factors, such as bad luck or difficult circumstances.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to attribute the behavior of others to internal factors, while attributing one's own behavior to external factors?

  1. Actor-observer bias

  2. Self-serving bias

  3. Fundamental attribution error

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

Actor-observer bias is the tendency for individuals to attribute the behavior of others to internal factors, such as their personality or intentions, while attributing their own behavior to external factors, such as the situation or circumstances.

Multiple choice

Which phenomenon occurs when individuals seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Self-perception theory

  3. Attribution theory

  4. Social identity theory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Confirmation bias is the phenomenon that occurs when individuals seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them. This bias can lead to distorted perceptions of reality and make it difficult for individuals to change their minds.

Multiple choice

Which psychological defense mechanism involves unconsciously distorting reality to make it more palatable?

  1. Projection

  2. Rationalization

  3. Displacement

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

Rationalization is a psychological defense mechanism in which an individual unconsciously creates false or self-serving explanations to justify their actions or beliefs, often to avoid facing the true underlying reasons.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the phenomenon in which people tend to attribute their own beliefs and attitudes to others?

  1. Projection Bias

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Hindsight Bias

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

Projection Bias is the name of the phenomenon in which people tend to attribute their own beliefs and attitudes to others.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to believe that others are more similar to us than they actually are?

  1. Common Ingroup Identity

  2. False Consensus Effect

  3. Illusory Correlation

  4. Confirmation Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

False Consensus Effect is the term for the tendency to believe that others are more similar to us than they actually are.