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 be easily distracted by novel or unexpected stimuli?

  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 be easily distracted by novel or unexpected stimuli. This can be a problem in many areas of life, including school, work, and relationships.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where people tend to interact with others who share similar views and opinions, leading to the formation of echo chambers and filter bubbles?

  1. Selective Exposure

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Group Polarization

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

Social Homophily refers to the tendency of people to interact with others who share similar characteristics, such as values, beliefs, and interests, leading to the formation of echo chambers and filter bubbles.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where people present an idealized version of themselves on social media, often leading to unrealistic expectations and comparisons?

  1. Self-Presentation Theory

  2. Impression Management

  3. Social Comparison Theory

  4. Looking-Glass Self
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Impression Management refers to the process by which individuals attempt to control the image they project to others, often through self-presentation on social media.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common heuristic used in decision-making?

  1. Representativeness

  2. Availability

  3. Anchoring

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

The certainty effect is a cognitive bias, not a heuristic. It refers to the tendency for individuals to prefer a certain outcome over an uncertain outcome, even if the expected value of the uncertain outcome is higher.

Multiple choice

The framing effect refers to the phenomenon where:

  1. The way information is presented influences an individual's decision-making.

  2. Individuals are more likely to choose options that are framed positively.

  3. Individuals are more likely to choose options that are framed negatively.

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

The framing effect encompasses all of the above options. It suggests that the way information is presented can influence an individual's decision-making, leading them to choose options that are framed in a particular way, whether positively or negatively.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Hindsight Bias

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Framing Effect

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

Hindsight bias, confirmation bias, and framing effect are all examples of cognitive biases. Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that can lead to irrational decision-making.

Multiple choice

The endowment effect refers to the phenomenon where:

  1. Individuals place a higher value on items they own compared to items they do not own.

  2. Individuals are more likely to sell items they own at a loss.

  3. Individuals are more likely to buy items they do not own at a premium.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The endowment effect is a cognitive bias that leads individuals to place a higher value on items they own compared to items they do not own, even if the items are objectively of equal value.

Multiple choice

The hyperbolic discounting model suggests that:

  1. Individuals place a higher value on immediate rewards compared to future rewards.

  2. Individuals place a higher value on future rewards compared to immediate rewards.

  3. Individuals are indifferent between immediate and future rewards.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The hyperbolic discounting model is a behavioral economics model that suggests that individuals place a higher value on immediate rewards compared to future rewards, even if the future rewards are objectively of greater value.

Multiple choice

The availability heuristic refers to the phenomenon where:

  1. Individuals are more likely to recall information that is easily accessible in their memory.

  2. Individuals are more likely to recall information that is emotionally charged.

  3. Individuals are more likely to recall information that is presented in a vivid manner.

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

The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias that leads individuals to rely on information that is easily accessible in their memory, emotionally charged, or presented in a vivid manner, when making judgments and decisions.

Multiple choice

The anchoring effect refers to the phenomenon where:

  1. Individuals are influenced by the first piece of information they receive when making a decision.

  2. Individuals are influenced by the last piece of information they receive when making a decision.

  3. Individuals are influenced by the most salient piece of information they receive when making a decision.

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

The anchoring effect is a cognitive bias that leads individuals to be influenced by the first, last, or most salient piece of information they receive when making a decision. This can lead to biased judgments and decisions.

Multiple choice

The status quo bias refers to the phenomenon where:

  1. Individuals prefer to maintain the current state of affairs.

  2. Individuals are more likely to choose options that are familiar to them.

  3. Individuals are more likely to choose options that are presented as the default.

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

The status quo bias is a cognitive bias that leads individuals to prefer to maintain the current state of affairs, choose options that are familiar to them, and choose options that are presented as the default. This bias can lead to inertia and resistance to change.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the ability to make choices in the absence of complete information?

  1. Heuristics

  2. Biases

  3. Intuition

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

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that allow us to make choices in the absence of complete information.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of heuristic?

  1. Availability heuristic

  2. Representativeness heuristic

  3. Anchoring heuristic

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

Confirmation bias is a type of cognitive bias, not a type of heuristic.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Availability heuristic

  3. Representativeness heuristic

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

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs.

Multiple choice

The tendency to remember information that is consistent with our existing beliefs or expectations is known as:

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Hindsight bias

  3. Availability heuristic

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

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out and remember information that confirms our existing beliefs or expectations, while ignoring or downplaying information that contradicts them.