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 hindsight bias?

  1. The tendency for people to believe that they could have predicted an event after it has already happened.

  2. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their emotions rather than on logic.

  3. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their past experiences rather than on new information.

  4. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their beliefs rather than on facts.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The hindsight bias is the tendency for people to believe that they could have predicted an event after it has already happened. For example, after a stock market crash, people are more likely to say that they knew it was going to happen, even though they did not actually predict it. The hindsight bias can lead people to make poor decisions because they are overconfident in their ability to predict the future.

Multiple choice

What is the illusion of control?

  1. The tendency for people to believe that they have more control over events than they actually do.

  2. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their emotions rather than on logic.

  3. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their past experiences rather than on new information.

  4. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their beliefs rather than on facts.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The illusion of control is the tendency for people to believe that they have more control over events than they actually do. For example, people are more likely to gamble if they believe that they have a lucky charm. The illusion of control can lead people to make poor decisions because they are overconfident in their ability to control the outcome of events.

Multiple choice

Which cognitive illusion involves perceiving a cause-and-effect relationship between two events that are not causally linked?

  1. Illusory correlation

  2. Confirmation bias

  3. Hindsight bias

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

Illusory correlation is a cognitive illusion where people perceive a relationship between two events that are not causally linked, often due to coincidental occurrences or selective attention.

Multiple choice

Which cognitive illusion involves perceiving oneself as being more likely to experience positive events and less likely to experience negative events than others?

  1. Optimism bias

  2. Pessimism bias

  3. Illusion of control

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

Optimism bias is a cognitive illusion where people tend to believe that they are less likely to experience negative events and more likely to experience positive events than others.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the illusion where a person perceives a face or other meaningful image in a random or ambiguous pattern?

  1. Pareidolia

  2. Apophenia

  3. Illusory correlation

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

Pareidolia is a cognitive illusion where people perceive meaningful images or patterns in random or ambiguous stimuli, such as seeing faces in clouds or patterns in tea leaves.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the illusion where a person perceives a sound as being louder or softer depending on the context or meaning associated with it?

  1. Semantic priming

  2. Illusory correlation

  3. Confirmation bias

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

Semantic priming is a cognitive illusion where the meaning or context associated with a word or concept influences the perception of related words or concepts, making them seem more familiar or easier to process.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the illusion where a person perceives a stimulus as being more intense or noticeable when it is presented repeatedly?

  1. Repetition priming

  2. Illusory correlation

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Mere exposure effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The mere exposure effect is a cognitive illusion where people tend to develop a preference for stimuli that they are repeatedly exposed to, even if they were initially neutral or negative.

Multiple choice

Which cognitive illusion involves perceiving a stimulus as being more likely to occur if it is presented in a vivid or emotionally charged manner?

  1. Availability heuristic

  2. Representativeness heuristic

  3. Illusory correlation

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

The availability heuristic is a cognitive illusion where people tend to judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily they can recall instances of that event, rather than on objective data.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the illusion where a person perceives a stimulus as being more likely to occur if it is presented in a positive or desirable light?

  1. Framing effect

  2. Illusory correlation

  3. Confirmation bias

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

The framing effect is a cognitive illusion where people's preferences and decisions can be influenced by the way information is presented, such as whether it is framed in a positive or negative light.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to idealize one's romantic partner and overlook their flaws?

  1. Selective Perception

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Illusion of Control

  4. Love Blindness
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Love blindness is the tendency to idealize one's romantic partner and overlook their flaws. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment in the relationship.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to attribute positive qualities to one's romantic partner and negative qualities to oneself?

  1. Selective Perception

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Illusion of Control

  4. Self-Serving Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute positive qualities to one's romantic partner and negative qualities to oneself. This can lead to an inflated sense of self-worth and a lack of accountability in the relationship.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to perceive one's romantic partner as more positive than they actually are?

  1. Selective Perception

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Illusion of Control

  4. Positivity Bias
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Positivity bias is the tendency to perceive one's romantic partner as more positive than they actually are. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment in the relationship.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of voters to favor candidates who share their own personal characteristics, such as gender, race, or socioeconomic status?

  1. Confirmation Bias

  2. In-Group Bias

  3. Bandwagon Effect

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

In-Group Bias refers to the tendency for individuals to favor members of their own social group, including candidates who share their personal characteristics, over those from other groups.

Multiple choice

Which psychological phenomenon describes the tendency of voters to be influenced by the opinions and behaviors of those around them, such as friends, family, or social media networks?

  1. Social Proof

  2. Group Polarization

  3. Framing Effect

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

Social Proof refers to the tendency for individuals to conform to the actions and beliefs of others, particularly those they perceive as similar to themselves or as experts.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency of voters to be more likely to support a candidate or policy if it is presented in a positive light, even if the information is incomplete or misleading?

  1. Framing Effect

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Bandwagon Effect

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

Framing Effect refers to the influence of the way information is presented on individuals' perceptions and decisions. Positive framing can make a candidate or policy appear more attractive, even if the underlying facts remain the same.