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 avoid expressing opinions that they believe are unpopular?

  1. Agenda-setting theory

  2. Cultivation theory

  3. Priming theory

  4. Spiral of silence theory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Spiral of silence theory suggests that people are less likely to express opinions that they believe are unpopular, for fear of social isolation or negative consequences.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of people to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Selective perception

  3. Selective exposure

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

Confirmation bias refers to the tendency of people to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs, while avoiding information that contradicts them.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of people to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Selective perception

  3. Selective exposure

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

Confirmation bias refers to the tendency of people to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs, while avoiding information that contradicts them.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the interference of new information with the recall of old information?

  1. Amnesia

  2. Decay

  3. Interference

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

Interference is the term for the interference of new information with the recall of old information.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for individuals to compare their online lives to others, often leading to feelings of inadequacy and envy?

  1. Social comparison

  2. Cyberbullying

  3. Online harassment

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

Social comparison refers to the tendency for individuals to compare their online lives to others, often leading to feelings of inadequacy and envy.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of individuals to avoid expressing opinions that deviate from the perceived majority view?

  1. Agenda-Setting Theory

  2. Cultivation Theory

  3. Framing Theory

  4. Spiral of Silence Theory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Spiral of Silence Theory proposes that individuals are less likely to express opinions that differ from the perceived majority view due to fear of isolation or social disapproval.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of media outlets to focus on negative or sensational news stories?

  1. Negativity Bias

  2. Positivity Bias

  3. Objectivity Bias

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

Negativity Bias refers to the tendency of media outlets to prioritize negative or sensational news stories, which can shape public perception and attitudes.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where individuals tend to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and attitudes?

  1. Confirmation Bias

  2. Disconfirmation Bias

  3. Selective Perception

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

Confirmation Bias refers to the tendency of individuals to seek out information that supports their existing beliefs and attitudes, while avoiding information that contradicts them.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where individuals tend to remember information that is presented first or last in a series?

  1. Primacy Effect

  2. Recency Effect

  3. Serial Position Effect

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

Serial Position Effect refers to the tendency of individuals to remember information that is presented first or last in a series, while information in the middle is often less well-remembered.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to perceive their favorite sports teams as being superior to other teams, even when there is no objective evidence to support this belief?

  1. Fanaticism

  2. Groupthink

  3. Confirmation bias

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

Illusory superiority is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to perceive their favorite sports teams as being superior to other teams, even when there is no objective evidence to support this belief.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to attribute positive outcomes to their own team's skill and effort, while attributing negative outcomes to external factors, such as bad luck or biased officiating?

  1. Fanaticism

  2. Self-serving bias

  3. Confirmation bias

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

Self-serving bias is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to attribute positive outcomes to their own team's skill and effort, while attributing negative outcomes to external factors, such as bad luck or biased officiating.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to overestimate the likelihood of their favorite sports teams winning, even when the odds are against them?

  1. Fanaticism

  2. Optimism bias

  3. Confirmation bias

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

Optimism bias is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to overestimate the likelihood of their favorite sports teams winning, even when the odds are against them.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the idea that the future is shaped by our expectations?

  1. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

  2. Pygmalion Effect

  3. Confirmation Bias

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

The self-fulfilling prophecy is the idea that our expectations about the future can actually cause those expectations to come true.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a cognitive bias?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Hindsight bias

  3. Framing effect

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

Confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and framing effect are all examples of cognitive biases, which are systematic errors in thinking that can lead to inaccurate judgments and decisions.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to become distracted by irrelevant information?

  1. Distractibility

  2. Inattention

  3. Hyperactivity

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

Distractibility is the tendency to become distracted by irrelevant information. This can be a problem in many areas of life, including school, work, and relationships.