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
What is the term for the tendency to attribute our own emotions to others?
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Projection
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Displacement
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Rationalization
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Sublimation
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Reaction Formation
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Projection is the tendency to attribute our own emotions, thoughts, and motives to others, even when there is no evidence to support this attribution.
What is the term for the tendency to conform to the opinions or behaviors of others, even when we know that they are incorrect?
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Normative Social Influence
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Informational Social Influence
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Conformity
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Compliance
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Obedience
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Normative Social Influence is the tendency to conform to the opinions or behaviors of others, even when we know that they are incorrect, in order to be accepted by the group.
What is the term for the tendency to attribute our own successes to internal factors and our own failures to external factors?
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Self-Serving Bias
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Fundamental Attribution Error
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Confirmation Bias
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Hindsight Bias
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Illusion of Control
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Self-Serving Bias is the tendency to attribute our own successes to internal factors and our own failures to external factors.
What is the term for the tendency to perceive others as being more similar to ourselves than they actually are?
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Projection
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Illusion of Similarity
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Confirmation Bias
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Fundamental Attribution Error
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Self-Serving Bias
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Illusion of Similarity is the tendency to perceive others as being more similar to ourselves than they actually are.
What is the term for the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of negative events occurring?
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Optimism Bias
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Pessimism Bias
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Confirmation Bias
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Illusion of Control
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Hindsight Bias
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Pessimism Bias is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of negative events occurring.
People with a preference for Thinking are more likely to:
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Make decisions based on logic and reason
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Make decisions based on emotions and feelings
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Be objective and impartial
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Be subjective and personal
A
Correct answer
Explanation
People with a preference for Thinking are more likely to make decisions based on logic and reason, while people with a preference for Feeling are more likely to make decisions based on emotions and feelings.
What is the concept of 'framing effects' in neuroeconomics?
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The tendency for individuals to make different decisions depending on how choices are presented
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The impact of emotions on economic decision-making
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The role of social norms in shaping economic preferences
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The influence of cultural factors on economic behavior
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Framing effects refer to the phenomenon where individuals make different decisions depending on how the options are presented, even if the underlying outcomes are objectively the same. Neuroeconomic research has explored the neural mechanisms underlying framing effects, shedding light on how the brain processes and evaluates choices.
What is the concept of 'anchoring bias' in neuroeconomics?
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The tendency for individuals to rely too heavily on initial information when making decisions
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The impact of framing effects on economic decision-making
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The role of emotions in shaping economic preferences
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The influence of social norms on economic behavior
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Anchoring bias refers to the phenomenon where individuals rely too heavily on initial information when making decisions. Neuroeconomic research has explored the neural mechanisms underlying anchoring bias, shedding light on how the brain processes and evaluates initial information.
Which of the following is a negative attitude towards mathematics?
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Mathematics is easy and fun.
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Mathematics is challenging and rewarding.
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Mathematics is only for nerds.
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Mathematics is not useful in real life.
C
Correct answer
Explanation
A negative attitude towards mathematics involves seeing it as difficult, boring, or irrelevant, and associating it with negative stereotypes.
What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where subjective experiences seem to be influenced by cultural, social, and linguistic factors?
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Cultural Relativism
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Social Construction of Reality
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Linguistic Determinism
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Cognitive Bias
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Cultural Relativism refers to the idea that subjective experiences and understandings are shaped by cultural and social contexts.
What is the term for the tendency for individuals to prefer potential mates who are similar to themselves in terms of physical appearance, personality traits, and social status?
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Assortative mating
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Sexual selection
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Kin selection
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Reciprocal altruism
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Assortative mating is the tendency for individuals to choose mates who are similar to themselves in terms of various characteristics. It is thought to be an evolutionary strategy that increases the likelihood of producing offspring with desirable traits.
What is the term for the tendency for individuals to engage in behaviors that benefit others, even at a cost to themselves, without any expectation of future benefits?
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Altruism
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Reciprocal altruism
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Kin selection
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Assortative mating
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Altruism is a form of behavior in which individuals act to benefit others, even at a cost to themselves, without any expectation of future benefits. It is thought to be an evolutionary strategy that promotes cooperation and social cohesion.
What is the term for the tendency for individuals to behave in ways that benefit their own genetic relatives, even at a cost to themselves?
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Kin selection
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Reciprocal altruism
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Altruism
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Cooperation
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Kin selection is a form of behavior in which individuals act to benefit their own genetic relatives, even at a cost to themselves. It is thought to be an evolutionary strategy that promotes the survival and reproduction of one's own genes.
What is the term for the tendency for individuals to engage in behaviors that benefit others, even at a cost to themselves, without any expectation of future benefits?
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Altruism
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Reciprocal altruism
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Kin selection
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Cooperation
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Altruism is a form of behavior in which individuals act to benefit others, even at a cost to themselves, without any expectation of future benefits. It is thought to be an evolutionary strategy that promotes cooperation and social cohesion.
What is the term used to describe the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being larger or more numerous when it is presented in isolation compared to when it is presented in a group?
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Contrast effect
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Isolation effect
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Zero effect
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Magnitude effect
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The isolation effect is the tendency to perceive a stimulus as being larger or more numerous when it is presented in isolation compared to when it is presented in a group.