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 of people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a social norm, compared to an option that is not presented as a social norm?

  1. Social proof

  2. Conformity bias

  3. Herding bias

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

Social proof is the cognitive bias that causes people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a social norm, compared to an option that is not presented as a social norm.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a scarce resource, compared to an option that is presented as a plentiful resource?

  1. Scarcity bias

  2. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

  3. Urgency bias

  4. Limited time offer
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Scarcity bias is the cognitive bias that causes people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a scarce resource, compared to an option that is presented as a plentiful resource.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a personalized or customized option, compared to an option that is not presented as a personalized or customized option?

  1. Personalization bias

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Framing effect

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

Personalization bias is the cognitive bias that causes people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a personalized or customized option, compared to an option that is not presented as a personalized or customized option.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a complex or sophisticated option, compared to an option that is presented as a simple or straightforward option?

  1. Complexity bias

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Framing effect

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

Complexity bias is the cognitive bias that causes people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a complex or sophisticated option, compared to an option that is presented as a simple or straightforward option.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a positive or optimistic option, compared to an option that is presented as a negative or pessimistic option?

  1. Positivity bias

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Framing effect

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

Positivity bias is the cognitive bias that causes people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a positive or optimistic option, compared to an option that is presented as a negative or pessimistic option.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a familiar or well-known option, compared to an option that is presented as an unfamiliar or unknown option?

  1. Familiarity bias

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Framing effect

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

Familiarity bias is the cognitive bias that causes people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a familiar or well-known option, compared to an option that is presented as an unfamiliar or unknown option.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a default option, compared to an option that is not presented as a default option?

  1. Default effect

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Framing effect

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

Default effect is the cognitive bias that causes people to be more likely to choose an option that is presented as a default option, compared to an option that is not presented as a default option.

Multiple choice

Which concept in behavioral economics emphasizes the tendency for individuals to make decisions based on immediate rewards rather than long-term consequences?

  1. Hyperbolic Discounting

  2. Prospect Theory

  3. Bounded Rationality

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

Hyperbolic Discounting describes the tendency for individuals to place a higher value on immediate rewards compared to future rewards, even if the future rewards are objectively more valuable.

Multiple choice

Which behavioral economics concept describes the tendency for individuals to place more weight on losses than on gains?

  1. Loss Aversion

  2. Framing Effect

  3. Hyperbolic Discounting

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

Loss Aversion refers to the tendency for individuals to experience greater psychological pain from losses compared to the pleasure they derive from gains of equal magnitude.

Multiple choice

Which concept in behavioral economics emphasizes the influence of social norms and expectations on individual decision-making?

  1. Social Proof

  2. Framing Effect

  3. Prospect Theory

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

Social Proof refers to the tendency for individuals to conform to the actions and beliefs of others, particularly when they are uncertain about the correct course of action.

Multiple choice

Which concept in behavioral economics emphasizes the tendency for individuals to make decisions based on emotions rather than rational analysis?

  1. Affect Heuristic

  2. Framing Effect

  3. Prospect Theory

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

Affect Heuristic refers to the tendency for individuals to make decisions based on their immediate emotional state rather than engaging in a thorough analysis of the available information.

Multiple choice

Which concept in behavioral economics emphasizes the tendency for individuals to overweight small probabilities of large gains or losses?

  1. Prospect Theory

  2. Framing Effect

  3. Hyperbolic Discounting

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

Prospect Theory suggests that individuals evaluate gains and losses differently, placing more weight on small probabilities of large gains or losses.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to attribute negative intentions or motives to others?

  1. Hostility bias

  2. Negativity bias

  3. Confirmation bias

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

Hostility bias refers to the tendency to perceive others as hostile or aggressive, even when there is no evidence to support this perception. It is often associated with feelings of paranoia and mistrust.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to seek out novel and exciting experiences?

  1. Sensation seeking

  2. Risk-taking

  3. Impulsivity

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

Sensation seeking refers to the desire for new and intense experiences. Individuals with high sensation seeking tendencies are often drawn to risky or thrilling activities.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to repeat certain thoughts or behaviors compulsively?

  1. Obsessiveness

  2. Compulsivity

  3. Impulsivity

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

Compulsivity refers to the repetitive and persistent urge to perform certain behaviors or thoughts, even if they are irrational or harmful. It is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).