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 is the term for the tendency to attribute our own successes to internal factors and our failures to external factors?

  1. Self-serving bias

  2. Fundamental attribution error

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Illusion of control
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute our own successes to internal factors (such as our ability or effort) and our failures to external factors (such as bad luck or the actions of others).

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to see others as more similar to ourselves than they actually are?

  1. Illusory correlation

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Social projection

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The false consensus effect is the tendency to see others as more similar to ourselves than they actually are. This can lead us to overestimate the amount of support for our own beliefs and opinions.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and to avoid information that challenges them?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Illusory correlation

  3. Social projection

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and to avoid information that challenges them. This can lead us to hold onto beliefs that are not supported by the evidence.

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. Self-serving bias

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The illusion of control is the tendency to believe that we have more control over events than we actually do. This can lead us to take risks that we would not otherwise take and to blame ourselves for events that are beyond our control.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to be more optimistic about the future than is realistic?

  1. Optimism bias

  2. Illusion of control

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Optimism bias is the tendency to be more optimistic about the future than is realistic. This can lead us to underestimate the risks of certain events and to make decisions that are not in our best interests.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to attribute the behavior of others to their personality or disposition, rather than to situational factors?

  1. Fundamental attribution error

  2. Illusory correlation

  3. Social projection

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to attribute the behavior of others to their personality or disposition, rather than to situational factors. This can lead us to make inaccurate judgments about others and to blame them for things that are not their fault.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to project our own thoughts, feelings, and motives onto others?

  1. Social projection

  2. Illusory correlation

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Social projection is the tendency to project our own thoughts, feelings, and motives onto others. This can lead us to misinterpret the behavior of others and to see them in a way that is not accurate.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Illusory superiority

  2. Optimism bias

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Illusory superiority is the tendency to believe that we are better than average at most things. This can lead us to overestimate our abilities and to make decisions that are not in our best interests.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Optimism bias

  2. Illusory superiority

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Optimism bias is the tendency to believe that we are more likely to experience positive events than negative events. This can lead us to underestimate the risks of certain events and to make decisions that are not in our best interests.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Pessimism bias

  2. Illusory superiority

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Pessimism bias is the tendency to believe that we are more likely to experience negative events than positive events. This can lead us to overestimate the risks of certain events and to make decisions that are not in our best interests.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to believe that we are more likely to experience events that are consistent with our beliefs?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Illusory superiority

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Confirmation bias is the tendency to believe that we are more likely to experience events that are consistent with our beliefs. This can lead us to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and to avoid information that challenges them.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to believe that we are more likely to experience events that are consistent with our goals?

  1. Goal-gradient effect

  2. Illusory superiority

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. False consensus effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The goal-gradient effect is the tendency to believe that we are more likely to experience events that are consistent with our goals. This can lead us to work harder towards our goals and to be more persistent in the face of obstacles.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to compare one's body to others' bodies in a negative way?

  1. Body dysmorphic disorder

  2. Social comparison theory

  3. Body image distortion

  4. Negative body image
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Social comparison theory refers to the tendency to compare one's body to others' bodies in a negative way, often leading to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to focus excessively on one's body and appearance?

  1. Body dysmorphic disorder

  2. Negative body image

  3. Body image distortion

  4. Body preoccupation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Body preoccupation refers to the tendency to focus excessively on one's body and appearance, often leading to anxiety and distress.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to perceive one's body as larger or smaller than it actually is?

  1. Body dysmorphic disorder

  2. Negative body image

  3. Body image distortion

  4. Body preoccupation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Body image distortion refers to the tendency to perceive one's body as larger or smaller than it actually is, leading to feelings of dissatisfaction and distress.