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

The tendency to attribute one's own behavior to external factors and others' behavior to internal factors is known as:

  1. Fundamental Attribution Error

  2. Illusion of Control

  3. Self-Serving Bias

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

The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency to attribute one's own behavior to external factors and others' behavior to internal factors.

Multiple choice

The tendency to perceive oneself as being better than average is known as:

  1. Illusion of Control

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Self-Serving Bias

  4. Superiority Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Superiority bias refers to the tendency for individuals to overestimate their own abilities and qualities compared to others.

Multiple choice

The tendency to believe that one's own culture or group is superior to others is known as:

  1. Ethnocentrism

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Self-Serving Bias

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

Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency for individuals to view their own culture or group as superior to others.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the ability to perceive events before they occur?

  1. Telepathy

  2. Clairvoyance

  3. Precognition

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

Precognition refers to the ability to perceive future events before they happen.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency to judge historical figures and events based on present-day moral standards?

  1. Presentism

  2. Anachronism

  3. Historicism

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

Presentism refers to the practice of evaluating past actions and beliefs using the moral standards and values of the present, rather than considering the historical context in which they occurred.

Multiple choice

Which psychological phenomenon refers to the tendency of music to influence our purchasing decisions and consumer behavior?

  1. The Emotional Arousal Theory

  2. The Physiological Stimulation Theory

  3. The Cognitive Enhancement Theory

  4. The Consumer Behavior Theory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Consumer Behavior Theory suggests that music can influence consumer behavior by creating a specific atmosphere, evoking emotions, and shaping attitudes towards products and brands.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process of actively seeking out information that confirms existing beliefs while avoiding information that challenges them?

  1. Selective Perception

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Selective Exposure

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

Confirmation Bias refers to the tendency to seek out information that supports one's existing beliefs and to disregard information that contradicts them.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where individuals tend to adopt the opinions and behaviors of those around them?

  1. Groupthink

  2. Social Proof

  3. Conformity

  4. Diffusion of Innovation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Conformity refers to the tendency of individuals to align their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors with those of the group they belong to or identify with.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the process of actively seeking out information that challenges existing beliefs and assumptions?

  1. Selective Perception

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Selective Exposure

  4. Counter-Attitudinal Advocacy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Counter-Attitudinal Advocacy refers to the process of actively seeking out information that challenges one's existing beliefs and assumptions.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency of individuals to interpret ambiguous information in a way that is consistent with their existing beliefs and attitudes?

  1. Selective Perception

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Selective Exposure

  4. Perceptual Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Perceptual Bias refers to the tendency of individuals to interpret ambiguous information in a way that is consistent with their existing beliefs and attitudes.

Multiple choice

Which cognitive bias is characterized by the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of rare events and underestimate the likelihood of common events?

  1. Availability heuristic

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Framing effect

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

The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias that leads people to overestimate the likelihood of events that are easily recalled or imagined, and underestimate the likelihood of events that are difficult to recall or imagine.

Multiple choice

What is the phenomenon in which people tend to make more risky decisions when they are feeling positive emotions, such as happiness or excitement?

  1. Optimism bias

  2. Risk-taking bias

  3. Affect heuristic

  4. Mood-dependent memory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The affect heuristic is a cognitive bias that leads people to make decisions based on their current emotional state. When people are feeling positive emotions, they tend to make more risky decisions, while when they are feeling negative emotions, they tend to make more conservative decisions.

Multiple choice

Which cognitive bias is characterized by the tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Framing effect

  3. Illusion of control

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

Confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that leads people to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them. This can lead to biased decision-making and a distorted view of reality.

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

The illusion of control is a cognitive bias that leads people to believe that they have more control over events than they actually do. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and a sense of disappointment when things don't go as planned.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to make decisions based on the way information is presented, rather than on the actual content of the information?

  1. Framing effect

  2. Illusion of control

  3. Confirmation bias

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

The framing effect is a cognitive bias that leads people to make decisions based on the way information is presented, rather than on the actual content of the information. For example, people may be more likely to choose a product if it is presented as being on sale, even if the sale price is not actually a good deal.