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 perceive objects that are connected by a continuous line or shape as being related?

  1. Closure

  2. Proximity

  3. Similarity

  4. Continuity

  5. Figure-ground
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Continuity is the tendency to perceive objects that are connected by a continuous line or shape as being related.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to perceive an object as being distinct from its background?

  1. Closure

  2. Proximity

  3. Similarity

  4. Continuity

  5. Figure-ground
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Figure-ground is the tendency to perceive an object as being distinct from its background.

Multiple choice

The tendency to attribute success to internal factors and failures to external factors is known as:

  1. Self-serving bias

  2. Fundamental attribution error

  3. Illusion of control

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

Self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute success to internal factors and failures to external factors.

Multiple choice

The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of negative events occurring is known as:

  1. Catastrophizing

  2. Negative self-talk

  3. Self-doubt

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

Catastrophizing is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of negative events occurring.

Multiple choice

The belief that one has the ability to control events and outcomes is known as:

  1. Self-efficacy

  2. Self-esteem

  3. Self-concept

  4. Locus of control
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Locus of control refers to the belief that one has the ability to control events and outcomes.

Multiple choice

What is the placebo effect?

  1. The positive effect of a treatment that is not due to the treatment itself

  2. The negative effect of a treatment that is not due to the treatment itself

  3. The effect of a treatment that is due to the patient's expectations

  4. The effect of a treatment that is due to the doctor's expectations
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The placebo effect is the positive effect of a treatment that is not due to the treatment itself. It is thought to be caused by the patient's expectations of the treatment.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'environmental risk perception' related to?

  1. The likelihood of environmental hazards occurring

  2. The severity of environmental hazards

  3. The perceived control over environmental hazards

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

Environmental risk perception encompasses individuals' subjective assessments of the likelihood, severity, and controllability of environmental hazards.

Multiple choice

Which concept refers to the tendency for media outlets to focus on negative stories about racial and ethnic minorities?

  1. Media bias

  2. Agenda-setting theory

  3. Framing theory

  4. Negative priming
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Negative priming occurs when media coverage of racial and ethnic minorities focuses disproportionately on negative events and issues.

Multiple choice

Which concept refers to the tendency for media outlets to focus on stories that confirm existing beliefs and attitudes about racial and ethnic groups?

  1. Media bias

  2. Agenda-setting theory

  3. Framing theory

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

Confirmation bias occurs when media coverage of racial and ethnic minorities reinforces existing stereotypes and prejudices.

Multiple choice

Which concept refers to the tendency for media outlets to focus on stories that are sensational or emotionally charged, often at the expense of accuracy and fairness?

  1. Media bias

  2. Agenda-setting theory

  3. Framing theory

  4. Tabloid journalism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Tabloid journalism involves sensationalizing stories and focusing on emotionally charged content, often at the expense of accuracy and fairness.

Multiple choice

Which concept in Economic Psychology and Behavioral Economics refers to the tendency for individuals to overvalue items they already own or possess?

  1. Sunk Cost Fallacy

  2. Framing Effect

  3. Endowment Effect

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

The endowment effect describes the tendency for individuals to place a higher value on items they already own, even if they could obtain a similar or better item for a lower price.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for individuals to be more risk-averse when faced with potential losses compared to potential gains?

  1. Risk Aversion

  2. Risk Seeking

  3. Prospect Theory

  4. Loss Aversion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Loss aversion refers to the tendency for individuals to feel the pain of a loss more strongly than the pleasure of an equivalent gain.

Multiple choice

Which theory in Behavioral Economics suggests that individuals' preferences and choices are influenced by the way options are presented or framed?

  1. Prospect Theory

  2. Framing Effect

  3. Nudge Theory

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

The framing effect describes how the way information is presented or framed can influence individuals' preferences and choices, even if the underlying options are objectively the same.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for individuals to make decisions based on limited information and cognitive resources, rather than engaging in fully rational analysis?

  1. Bounded Rationality

  2. Prospect Theory

  3. Heuristics and Biases

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

Bounded rationality acknowledges that individuals have limited cognitive resources and make decisions based on simplified rules and heuristics, rather than engaging in exhaustive analysis.

Multiple choice

Which concept in Economic Psychology and Behavioral Economics refers to the tendency for individuals to be influenced by social norms and expectations when making economic decisions?

  1. Social Norms

  2. Conformity Bias

  3. Herding Behavior

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

Social norms are unwritten rules and expectations that guide individuals' behavior within a society, including their economic decisions.