Social Science

Cognitive Biases and Decision Making

1,880 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 make judgments about others based on their appearance or behavior, without taking into account the context or situation?

  1. Fundamental attribution error

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Self-serving bias

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

The fundamental attribution error is a cognitive bias that leads us to make judgments about others based on their appearance or behavior, without taking into account the context or situation. This can lead us to make inaccurate judgments and to misunderstand others.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to perceive a relationship between two events that are not actually related?

  1. Illusory correlation

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Self-serving bias

  4. Fundamental attribution error
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Illusory correlation is a cognitive bias that leads us to perceive a relationship between two events that are not actually related. This can lead us to make incorrect inferences and to believe in things that are not true.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to conform to the opinions and behaviors of others, even when we know that they are wrong?

  1. Social influence

  2. Groupthink

  3. Conformity

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

Conformity is the tendency to conform to the opinions and behaviors of others, even when we know that they are wrong. This can be due to a desire to be liked and accepted by others, or to a fear of being rejected or punished.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to obey authority figures, even when we know that they are wrong?

  1. Obedience

  2. Social influence

  3. Groupthink

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

Obedience is the tendency to obey authority figures, even when we know that they are wrong. This can be due to a desire to please authority figures, or to a fear of being punished.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to think and act in a similar way to those around us?

  1. Groupthink

  2. Social influence

  3. Conformity

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

Groupthink is the tendency to think and act in a similar way to those around us. This can be due to a desire to be liked and accepted by others, or to a fear of being rejected or punished.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to attribute our own beliefs and values to others, even when we have no evidence that they share them?

  1. Projection

  2. Social influence

  3. Groupthink

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

Projection is the tendency to attribute our own beliefs and values to others, even when we have no evidence that they share them. This can lead us to misunderstand others and to make inaccurate judgments about them.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to see ourselves in a more positive light than we actually are?

  1. Self-enhancement

  2. Social influence

  3. Groupthink

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

Self-enhancement is the tendency to see ourselves in a more positive light than we actually are. This can be due to a desire to feel good about ourselves, or to a fear of being rejected or punished.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to remember information that is consistent with our existing beliefs and to forget information that contradicts them?

  1. Selective memory

  2. Social influence

  3. Groupthink

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

Selective memory is the tendency to remember information that is consistent with our existing beliefs and to forget information that contradicts them. This can lead us to make inaccurate judgments and to believe in things that are not true.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to make judgments about others based on their race, gender, or other social group membership?

  1. Stereotyping

  2. Social influence

  3. Groupthink

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

Stereotyping is the tendency to make judgments about others based on their race, gender, or other social group membership. This can lead us to make inaccurate judgments and to misunderstand others.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to see the world in black-and-white terms, with little room for nuance or complexity?

  1. Polarization

  2. Social influence

  3. Groupthink

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

Polarization is the tendency to see the world in black-and-white terms, with little room for nuance or complexity. This can lead us to make inaccurate judgments and to misunderstand others.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to believe that we are more likely to experience positive events than negative events?

  1. Optimism bias

  2. Social influence

  3. Groupthink

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

Optimism bias is the tendency to believe that we are more likely to experience positive events than negative events. This can lead us to make poor decisions and to take unnecessary risks.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a widely used mathematical model of attention?

  1. Broadbent's Filter Model

  2. Treisman's Attenuation Model

  3. Kahneman's Capacity Model

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

Broadbent's Filter Model, Treisman's Attenuation Model, and Kahneman's Capacity Model are all widely used mathematical models of attention.

Multiple choice

What is the main assumption of Broadbent's Filter Model?

  1. Attention acts as a filter that selects relevant information from the environment.

  2. Attention is a limited resource that can be allocated to different tasks.

  3. Attention is a process that operates in parallel, allowing us to process multiple stimuli simultaneously.

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

Broadbent's Filter Model assumes that attention acts as a filter that selects relevant information from the environment, while irrelevant information is suppressed.

Multiple choice

According to Treisman's Attenuation Model, what happens to unattended stimuli?

  1. They are completely blocked from reaching consciousness.

  2. They are attenuated, or reduced in intensity, but can still be processed to some extent.

  3. They are processed in parallel with attended stimuli.

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

Treisman's Attenuation Model assumes that unattended stimuli are not completely blocked from reaching consciousness, but rather are attenuated, or reduced in intensity, and can still be processed to some extent.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a key concept in the study of mathematical models of attention?

  1. Selective attention

  2. Divided attention

  3. Sustained attention

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

Selective attention, divided attention, and sustained attention are all key concepts in the study of mathematical models of attention.