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

Which cognitive bias is characterized by the tendency to remember events as being more positive or negative than they actually were?

  1. Hindsight bias

  2. Illusion of control

  3. Confirmation bias

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

Hindsight bias is a cognitive bias that leads people to remember events as being more positive or negative than they actually were. This can lead to a distorted view of the past and a sense of regret or satisfaction that is not based on reality.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to attribute our own successes to internal factors, such as our abilities and efforts, and our failures to external factors, such as bad luck or other people?

  1. Self-serving bias

  2. Illusion of control

  3. Confirmation bias

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

The self-serving bias is a cognitive bias that leads people to attribute their own successes to internal factors, such as their abilities and efforts, and their failures to external factors, such as bad luck or other people. This can lead to an inflated sense of self-worth and a distorted view of reality.

Multiple choice

Which cognitive bias is characterized by the tendency to overestimate the importance of our own contributions to a group effort?

  1. Illusion of control

  2. Self-serving 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 people to overestimate the importance of their own contributions to a group effort. This can lead to a sense of entitlement and a lack of appreciation for the contributions of others.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to make decisions based on our emotions, rather than on rational thought?

  1. Affective heuristic

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Framing effect

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

The affective heuristic is a cognitive bias that leads people to make decisions based on their emotions, rather than on rational thought. This can lead to impulsive decisions and a lack of consideration for the long-term consequences of our actions.

Multiple choice

Which cognitive bias is characterized by 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 people to believe that they are less likely to experience negative events than others. This can lead to a sense of invulnerability and a lack of preparation for potential risks.

Multiple choice

According to the theory of cognitive dissonance, what do people tend to do when they hold two conflicting beliefs or attitudes?

  1. Change one of the beliefs or attitudes

  2. Seek out information that supports one of the beliefs or attitudes

  3. Ignore the conflict and continue to hold both beliefs or attitudes

  4. Experience psychological discomfort and anxiety
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The theory of cognitive dissonance, proposed by Leon Festinger, suggests that people experience psychological discomfort and anxiety when they hold two conflicting beliefs or attitudes. This discomfort motivates them to reduce the dissonance by changing one of the beliefs or attitudes, seeking out information that supports one of the beliefs or attitudes, or ignoring the conflict and continuing to hold both beliefs or attitudes.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the psychological phenomenon where individuals experience a heightened awareness of their eating habits and sensations, promoting healthier eating choices and a more balanced relationship with food?

  1. Intuitive Eating

  2. Mindful Eating

  3. Conscious Eating

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

Intuitive eating, mindful eating, and conscious eating are all terms used to describe the psychological phenomenon where individuals experience a heightened awareness of their eating habits and sensations, promoting healthier eating choices and a more balanced relationship with food.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the psychological phenomenon where individuals experience a heightened awareness of their eating habits and sensations, promoting healthier eating choices and a more balanced relationship with food?

  1. Intuitive Eating

  2. Mindful Eating

  3. Conscious Eating

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

Intuitive eating, mindful eating, and conscious eating are all terms used to describe the psychological phenomenon where individuals experience a heightened awareness of their eating habits and sensations, promoting healthier eating choices and a more balanced relationship with food.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the bias that occurs when people are reluctant to participate in a survey?

  1. Sampling bias

  2. Non-response bias

  3. Response bias

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

Non-response bias occurs when people are reluctant to participate in a survey, leading to biased results.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of response bias?

  1. People are more likely to answer questions that they feel knowledgeable about.

  2. People are more likely to give socially desirable answers.

  3. People are more likely to answer questions that are easy to understand.

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

Response bias occurs when people's answers are influenced by factors other than their true opinions, such as their desire to appear knowledgeable or socially desirable.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the bias that occurs when the wording of a question influences the respondent's answer?

  1. Sampling bias

  2. Non-response bias

  3. Response bias

  4. Question bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Question bias occurs when the wording of a question influences the respondent's answer, leading to biased results.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the bias that occurs when people are more likely to participate in a survey if they have strong opinions on the topic?

  1. Sampling bias

  2. Non-response bias

  3. Response bias

  4. Selection bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Selection bias occurs when people are more likely to participate in a survey if they have strong opinions on the topic, leading to biased results.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the bias that occurs when people are more likely to answer questions that are easy to understand?

  1. Sampling bias

  2. Non-response bias

  3. Response bias

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

Response bias occurs when people's answers are influenced by factors other than their true opinions, such as their desire to appear knowledgeable or socially desirable.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the bias that occurs when the sample is too small to accurately represent the population?

  1. Sampling bias

  2. Non-response bias

  3. Response bias

  4. Sample size bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sample size bias occurs when the sample is too small to accurately represent the population, leading to biased results.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the bias that occurs when the results of a poll are influenced by the way the questions are asked?

  1. Sampling bias

  2. Non-response bias

  3. Response bias

  4. Question bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Question bias occurs when the results of a poll are influenced by the way the questions are asked, leading to biased results.