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

According to the theory of selective perception, individuals tend to:

  1. Seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs

  2. Avoid information that challenges their existing beliefs

  3. Objectively evaluate all available information

  4. Randomly choose information to consider
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Selective perception is a cognitive bias where individuals tend to seek out information that aligns with their existing beliefs and avoid information that contradicts them.

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 irrational economic decisions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a policy that takes into account cognitive biases?

  1. Default options

  2. Nudges

  3. Framing effects

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

Default options, nudges, and framing effects are all examples of policies that take into account cognitive biases.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency for individuals to conform to the opinions and behaviors of the group they belong to, even if they personally disagree?

  1. Groupthink

  2. Social Conformity

  3. Social Influence

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

Social Conformity is the tendency for individuals to conform to the opinions and behaviors of the group they belong to, even if they personally disagree. It can be influenced by factors such as group pressure, the desire to be accepted, and the need for social approval.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where algorithms and AI systems perpetuate and amplify existing biases and prejudices?

  1. Algorithmic bias

  2. Technological determinism

  3. Digital divide

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

Algorithmic bias refers to the tendency of algorithms and AI systems to exhibit prejudice or discrimination against certain groups of people due to historical data patterns or design flaws.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where we tend to remember positive experiences more vividly and easily than negative experiences?

  1. Positivity bias

  2. Negativity bias

  3. Memory distortion

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

Positivity bias refers to the tendency to remember positive experiences more vividly and easily than negative experiences. This bias is thought to be influenced by various factors, such as our emotional state and the way our brains process information.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where we tend to remember the beginning and end of a sequence of events more easily than the middle?

  1. Serial position effect

  2. Primacy effect

  3. Recency effect

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

Serial position effect refers to the phenomenon where we tend to remember the beginning and end of a sequence of events more easily than the middle. This effect is thought to be influenced by various factors, such as the recency effect and the primacy effect.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where we tend to remember information that is personally relevant or meaningful to us more easily than information that is not?

  1. Self-reference effect

  2. Primacy effect

  3. Recency effect

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

Self-reference effect refers to the phenomenon where we tend to remember information that is personally relevant or meaningful to us more easily than information that is not. This effect is thought to be influenced by various factors, such as our emotions, beliefs, and values.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where we tend to remember information that is presented in a vivid or emotionally charged manner more easily than information that is presented in a neutral manner?

  1. Flashbulb memory

  2. Primacy effect

  3. Recency effect

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

Flashbulb memory refers to the phenomenon where we tend to remember information that is presented in a vivid or emotionally charged manner more easily than information that is presented in a neutral manner. This effect is thought to be influenced by the release of stress hormones, which can enhance memory consolidation.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the process of perceiving objects as being closer or farther away than they actually are?

  1. Depth perception

  2. Motion perception

  3. Size perception

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

Depth perception is the process of perceiving objects as being closer or farther away than they actually are. It is a complex process that involves the use of both monocular cues (cues that can be used with one eye) and binocular cues (cues that require the use of both eyes).

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where individuals experience a sense of familiarity with a new environment or situation?

  1. Deja vu

  2. Jamais vu

  3. Presque vu

  4. Jamais deja vu
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Deja vu is the feeling of having experienced a present situation before, even though it is actually new.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where individuals experience a sudden, vivid memory or thought that seems unrelated to their current situation?

  1. Deja vu

  2. Jamais vu

  3. Presque vu

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

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, distressing thoughts that pop into consciousness involuntarily.

Multiple choice

What is the term used in humanistic psychology to describe the tendency to focus on one's own subjective experiences and ignore the perspectives of others?

  1. Solipsism

  2. Nihilism

  3. Existentialism

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

Solipsism is a philosophical concept that posits that the only reality is one's own subjective experiences, which can be a challenge in humanistic psychology's emphasis on understanding others' perspectives.

Multiple choice

What is the term used in humanistic psychology to describe the tendency to view the world in a negative and pessimistic manner?

  1. Nihilism

  2. Existentialism

  3. Hedonism

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

Nihilism is a philosophical concept that posits that life is meaningless and that there is no inherent purpose or value in existence, which can be a challenge in humanistic psychology's emphasis on finding meaning and purpose.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of cognitive bias?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Hindsight bias

  3. Framing effect

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

Framing effect is not a type of cognitive bias. Confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and availability heuristic are all types of cognitive biases.