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 used to describe the tendency for individuals to exhibit a steeper discount rate for rewards that are further in the future compared to rewards that are closer in time?

  1. Hyperbolic Discounting

  2. Quasi-Hyperbolic Discounting

  3. Exponential Discounting

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

Exponential discounting refers to the tendency for individuals to exhibit a steeper discount rate for rewards that are further in the future compared to rewards that are closer in time. This means that they are more willing to delay the receipt of a reward that is further in the future.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for individuals to exhibit a steeper discount rate for rewards that are uncertain compared to rewards that are certain?

  1. Hyperbolic Discounting

  2. Quasi-Hyperbolic Discounting

  3. Exponential Discounting

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

Ambiguity aversion refers to the tendency for individuals to exhibit a steeper discount rate for rewards that are uncertain compared to rewards that are certain. This means that they are more willing to delay the receipt of a reward that is uncertain.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for individuals to exhibit a steeper discount rate for rewards that are framed as losses compared to rewards that are framed as gains?

  1. Hyperbolic Discounting

  2. Quasi-Hyperbolic Discounting

  3. Exponential Discounting

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

Loss aversion refers to the tendency for individuals to exhibit a steeper discount rate for rewards that are framed as losses compared to rewards that are framed as gains. This means that they are more willing to delay the receipt of a reward that is framed as a loss.

Multiple choice

What psychological concept refers to the tendency of individuals to attribute their failures to external factors and their successes to internal factors?

  1. Self-Serving Bias

  2. Fundamental Attribution Error

  3. Confirmation Bias

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

Self-serving bias is the tendency for individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors (e.g., their abilities or efforts) and their failures to external factors (e.g., bad luck or difficult circumstances).

Multiple choice

Which psychological concept refers to the tendency of individuals to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and avoid information that challenges them?

  1. Confirmation Bias

  2. Cognitive Dissonance

  3. Self-Serving Bias

  4. Fundamental Attribution Error
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Confirmation bias is the tendency for individuals to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and avoid information that challenges them, leading to a distorted view of reality.

Multiple choice

Which psychological concept refers to the tendency of individuals to attribute their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to others?

  1. Projection

  2. Displacement

  3. Rationalization

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

Projection is the tendency for individuals to attribute their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to others, often as a defense mechanism to protect their own ego.

Multiple choice

Which psychological concept refers to the tendency of individuals to perceive ambiguous or incomplete information in a way that is consistent with their existing beliefs or expectations?

  1. Confirmation Bias

  2. Perceptual Set

  3. Cognitive Dissonance

  4. Fundamental Attribution Error
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Perceptual set refers to the tendency of individuals to perceive ambiguous or incomplete information in a way that is consistent with their existing beliefs or expectations, influencing their interpretation of the world.

Multiple choice

Which psychological concept refers to the tendency of individuals to experience discomfort or tension when their beliefs or expectations are challenged or contradicted?

  1. Cognitive Dissonance

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Perceptual Set

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

Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort or tension that individuals experience when their beliefs or expectations are challenged or contradicted, motivating them to seek ways to reduce this discomfort.

Multiple choice

Which psychological concept refers to the tendency of individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors and their failures to external factors?

  1. Self-Serving Bias

  2. Fundamental Attribution Error

  3. Confirmation Bias

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

Self-serving bias is the tendency for individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors (e.g., their abilities or efforts) and their failures to external factors (e.g., bad luck or difficult circumstances).

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where individuals are exposed to information that confirms their existing beliefs and reinforces their biases?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Selective perception

  3. Groupthink

  4. Echo chamber
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

An echo chamber is a situation where individuals are exposed to information that confirms their existing beliefs and reinforces their biases, often through social media algorithms and online communities.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where individuals are exposed to a limited range of information and perspectives, often due to algorithms and social media filters?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Selective perception

  3. Groupthink

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

A filter bubble is a situation where individuals are exposed to a limited range of information and perspectives, often due to algorithms and social media filters, which can lead to a distorted view of reality.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common psychological factor that can lead to fallacies in reasoning?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Neglect of evidence

  3. Overgeneralization

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

Confirmation bias, neglect of evidence, and overgeneralization are all psychological factors that can lead to fallacies in reasoning.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the psychological process of making a judgment about something?

  1. Evaluation

  2. Inference

  3. Perception

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

Evaluation is the psychological process of making a judgment about something, based on its perceived value or importance.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common psychological factor that can lead to biases in judgment?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Neglect of evidence

  3. Overgeneralization

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

Confirmation bias, neglect of evidence, and overgeneralization are all psychological factors that can lead to biases in judgment.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common psychological factor that can lead to biases in decision-making?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Neglect of evidence

  3. Overgeneralization

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

Confirmation bias, neglect of evidence, and overgeneralization are all psychological factors that can lead to biases in decision-making.