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

Which philosophical theory suggests that our perception of the world is influenced by our prior beliefs and expectations?

  1. Empiricism

  2. Rationalism

  3. Constructivism

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

Constructivism is a philosophical theory that emphasizes the active role of the mind in constructing our perception of the world. It suggests that our perception is not a passive reception of sensory information, but rather an active process of organizing and interpreting this information, which is influenced by our prior beliefs and expectations.

Multiple choice

What is the 'halo effect' in psychology?

  1. The tendency to perceive someone as more attractive when they are perceived as successful.

  2. The tendency to perceive someone as more successful when they are perceived as attractive.

  3. The tendency to perceive someone as more intelligent when they are perceived as attractive.

  4. The tendency to perceive someone as more trustworthy when they are perceived as attractive.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The halo effect refers to the cognitive bias in which an individual's overall impression of a person influences their perception of the person's specific traits. In the context of beauty and success, the halo effect can lead individuals to perceive someone as more successful when they are perceived as attractive.

Multiple choice

What is the 'objectification theory' in psychology?

  1. The theory that individuals are more likely to objectify others who are perceived as less human.

  2. The theory that individuals are more likely to objectify others who are perceived as more human.

  3. The theory that individuals are more likely to objectify others who are perceived as similar to themselves.

  4. The theory that individuals are more likely to objectify others who are perceived as different from themselves.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The objectification theory suggests that individuals are more likely to objectify others who are perceived as less human. This can occur when individuals view others as mere objects, rather than as complex and autonomous beings.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where individuals are only exposed to information that confirms their existing beliefs and values, and are less likely to encounter opposing viewpoints?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Groupthink

  3. Filter bubble

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

A filter bubble is a state of intellectual isolation that can result from personalized searches when a website algorithm selectively guesses what information a user would like to see based on information about the user (such as location, past click-behavior and search history), and then alters the results of the search to conform to the user's presumed preferences.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where individuals are more likely to share and believe information that confirms their existing beliefs and values, even if it is inaccurate or misleading?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Groupthink

  3. Filter bubble

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

Confirmation bias is the tendency of individuals to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms their existing beliefs and values. This can lead to the selective perception and interpretation of information, and can make it more difficult for individuals to consider opposing viewpoints or to change their minds.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where individuals are more likely to believe information that is presented in a confident and assertive manner, even if it is inaccurate or misleading?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Groupthink

  3. The illusory truth effect

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

The illusory truth effect is the tendency of individuals to believe information that is presented in a confident and assertive manner, even if it is inaccurate or misleading. This can be due to a number of factors, including the perceived credibility of the source, the repetition of the information, and the emotional impact of the message.

Multiple choice

What is consumer confidence?

  1. A measure of how optimistic consumers are about the economy.

  2. A measure of how pessimistic consumers are about the economy.

  3. A measure of how indifferent consumers are about the economy.

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

Consumer confidence is a measure of how optimistic consumers are about the economy. It is typically measured by surveys that ask consumers about their expectations for the economy, their personal finances, and their job prospects.

Multiple choice

What are some of the risks of forecasting consumer confidence?

  1. Forecasts can be inaccurate.

  2. Forecasts can be biased.

  3. Forecasts can be outdated.

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

There are a number of risks associated with forecasting consumer confidence. Forecasts can be inaccurate, biased, and outdated. This is because consumer confidence can be volatile and difficult to predict. Additionally, forecasts can be biased if they are based on a limited sample of data or if they are not properly adjusted for changes in economic conditions.

Multiple choice

What is the process by which people categorize and evaluate others based on their perceived group membership?

  1. Social cognition

  2. Stereotyping

  3. Attitudes

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

Stereotyping is the process by which people categorize and evaluate others based on their perceived group membership. It involves assigning certain traits or characteristics to an entire group of people, often without regard for individual differences.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to favor one's own group over other groups?

  1. In-group bias

  2. Out-group bias

  3. Ethnocentrism

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

In-group bias is the tendency to favor one's own group over other groups. It is a form of social identity theory, which posits that people define themselves in terms of their group memberships and tend to favor those groups that they belong to.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to perceive members of other groups as being more homogeneous than they actually are?

  1. Out-group homogeneity bias

  2. In-group homogeneity bias

  3. Stereotyping

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

Out-group homogeneity bias is the tendency to perceive members of other groups as being more homogeneous than they actually are. This bias can lead to the perception that all members of a particular group are the same, which can make it difficult to recognize individual differences within that group.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to attribute negative characteristics to members of other groups?

  1. Negative stereotyping

  2. Positive stereotyping

  3. In-group favoritism

  4. Out-group derogation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Out-group derogation is the tendency to attribute negative characteristics to members of other groups. This bias can lead to the perception that members of other groups are inferior or less worthy than members of one's own group.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to perceive members of one's own group as being more positive than they actually are?

  1. Positive stereotyping

  2. Negative stereotyping

  3. In-group favoritism

  4. Out-group derogation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Positive stereotyping is the tendency to perceive members of one's own group as being more positive than they actually are. This bias can lead to the perception that members of one's own group are superior or more worthy than members of other groups.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to hold negative attitudes towards members of other groups?

  1. Prejudice

  2. Discrimination

  3. Stereotyping

  4. In-group favoritism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Prejudice is the tendency to hold negative attitudes towards members of other groups. This bias can be based on a variety of factors, including race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to favor members of one's own group over members of other groups?

  1. In-group favoritism

  2. Out-group derogation

  3. Stereotyping

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

In-group favoritism is the tendency to favor members of one's own group over members of other groups. This bias can take many forms, including giving preferential treatment to members of one's own group, cooperating more with members of one's own group, and evaluating members of one's own group more positively than members of other groups.