Question 1

The propensity to resolve discrepancies between pre-existing schemas and new information in the direction of assimilation rather than accommodation, even at the expense of distorting the information itself is called:

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as assimilation bias, where individuals tend to fit new information into their existing schema even if it means distorting the information to fit their preconceived notions. Option A refers to a type of hindsight bias, Option B refers to the act of modifying existing schemas to fit new information, Option C refers to a reciprocal relationship between two variables influencing each other, and Option D refers to the tendency to believe generalized, vague statements as being true for oneself.

Question 2

Any variable that can be placed into either of two discrete and mutually exclusive categories is called:

Accepted Answer

A dichotomous variable is one that can take one of two mutually exclusive categories. For example, male or female, true or false, existent or non-existent. The other options do not apply to this description.

Question 3

The ________ is a logical error that because Event B follows Event A, then B must have been caused by A.

Accepted Answer

The post hoc error, also known as the post hoc fallacy, is the belief that because Event B follows Event A, then A must have caused B. This is a logical error because there may be other factors at play that caused Event B.

Question 4

_______ is the act of thinking about thinking; engaging in a critical analysis and evaluation of the thinking process.

Accepted Answer

Metathinking, also known as metacognition, is the process of reflecting on one's own thinking and decision-making processes. This involves analyzing one's own thoughts, beliefs, biases, and assumptions in order to improve critical thinking skills and make better decisions.

Question 5

The term for any generic description or interpretation about a particular individual that is true of practically all individuals or groups is known as a(n):

Accepted Answer

A Barnum statement, also known as a Forer effect or subjective validation, is a statement that appears to be specific to an individual but is actually true of almost anyone. It is often used in astrology, fortune-telling, and other forms of pseudoscience to give a sense of personalization to a general statement.

Question 6

A phenomenon wherein people's attitudes, beliefs or assumptions about another person (or persons) can, with or without their intent, actually produce the very behaviors that they had initially expected to find is called:

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described is the self-fulfilling prophecy, where expectations about a particular person can shape their behavior in a way that confirms those initial expectations. This can occur consciously or unconsciously and can have a significant impact on interpersonal relationships and social interactions.

Question 7

Any condition where the availability heuristic produces systematic errors in thinking or
Information processing, typically due to highly vivid (dramatic) although rare (extraordinary) events is called:

Accepted Answer

The availability bias is a cognitive bias where people make judgments and decisions based on the ease with which examples come to mind. This can lead to systematic errors in thinking and information processing, especially when highly vivid and rare events are more easily recalled. The Barnum effect is a related phenomenon where people believe generic and vague statements about themselves to be highly accurate, while continuous variable refers to a type of variable that can take on any value within a certain range. Post-hoc error and the fundamental attribution error are both separate cognitive biases from availability bias.

Question 8

The ____________ is a bias in attempting to determine the causes of people's behavior that involves overestimating the influence of their personality traits, while underestimating the influence of their particular situations.

Accepted Answer

The fundamental attribution error is a well-known bias in social psychology that refers to the tendency to explain people's behavior based on their personality traits rather than considering the situation they are in. This error leads us to underestimate the impact of external factors and overestimate the importance of internal factors when we try to explain other people's actions. The other options are not related to this particular bias in social perception.

Question 9

A(n)_________ is a strategy for problem solving that reduces complex information and time-consuming tasks to more simple, rapid, and efficient judgmental operations, particularly in reaching decisions under conditions of uncertainty.

Accepted Answer

A heuristic is a problem-solving strategy that simplifies complex information and tasks to more simple, efficient operations. Heuristics are particularly useful in making decisions under conditions of uncertainty, as they allow individuals to quickly reach a conclusion without needing to carefully evaluate every piece of information available. This can be an effective way to approach certain problems, but can also lead to errors in judgment due to biases and oversimplification.

Question 10

A cognitive strategy for quickly estimating the frequency, incidence, or probability of a given event based on the ease with which such instances are retrievable from memory is called:

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is a cognitive strategy used to estimate frequency, incidence, or probability based on how easily instances of such events are retrievable from memory. This can lead to overestimation of the likelihood of an event if salient or easily recalled instances are more available in memory.

Question 11

Any systematic error in attribution that derives from people's efforts to satisfy their own personal needs, such as the desire for approval by others, high self-esteem, power or prestige is called:

Accepted Answer

The systematic error in attribution that derives from people's efforts to satisfy their own personal needs is called motivational bias. This bias distorts the way individuals perceive and attribute behavior in order to align with their own motivations, such as the desire for approval, high self-esteem, power, or prestige.

Question 12

A kind of "magical thinking," frequently responsible for superstitious behaviors, in which events that occur close together in time are erroneously construed by a person to be causally linked is called:

Accepted Answer

Parataxic reasoning is a cognitive distortion in which unrelated events are linked together and interpreted as having a causal relationship because they occurred close together in time. This type of reasoning can lead to superstitious beliefs and behaviors. The other answer choices (A: Barnum effect, C: dichotomous variable, D: uncertainty avoidance, E: self-fulfilling prophecy) do not accurately describe this cognitive distortion.

Question 13

What is the Representativeness heuristic?

Accepted Answer

The representativeness heuristic is a cognitive shortcut that people use to make quick judgments or decisions by estimating the likelihood of an event or object belonging to a particular category based on how closely it resembles the typical features or prototype of that category. This can sometimes lead to errors, such as overlooking important information or assuming that rare events are more common than they actually are, but it can also be an effective way to process information efficiently.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a Barnum statement?

Accepted Answer

A Barnum statement is a statement that is general enough to apply to a wide range of people or situations but is specific enough to give the impression of being accurate. Option B is a good example of a Barnum statement because it is general enough that it could apply to many female immigrants, but it is also specific enough to give the impression of being accurate. The other options are either too specific or not specific enough to be considered Barnum statements.

Question 15

Which one of the following is an example of the Fundamental Attribution Error?

Accepted Answer

Option D is an example of the Fundamental Attribution Error because it attributes the high rate of violent crime to an internal or dispositional factor - the violence of Russians - rather than considering external or situational factors that could contribute to the problem.

Question 16

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the Belief Perseverance Effect?

Accepted Answer

The Belief Perseverance Effect refers to the tendency to cling onto one's beliefs even when faced with evidence that contradicts them. Option B accurately describes this effect. Options A, D, and E do not relate to beliefs or opinions. Option C is incorrect because the Belief Perseverance Effect suggests that we are resistant to changing our opinions even when faced with strong arguments.

Question 17

Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the Evaluative Bias of Language?

Accepted Answer

The Evaluative Bias of Language refers to the tendency of language to move from describing a situation to prescribing a course of action or behavior. This means that descriptions become prescriptions for how individuals should act or behave in a certain situation. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it directly reflects this bias. Options A, B, D, and E are not accurate representations of Evaluative Bias of Language.

Question 18

Jane is a Canadian citizen. She is kind, goal-oriented, knowledgeable in literature, outgoing and musically inclined. Which of these characteristics would be considered a dichotomous variable?

Accepted Answer

Jane's nationality (Canadian) is a dichotomous variable, as she either is or is not a Canadian citizen. The other characteristics listed are not dichotomous variables, as they exist on a continuum and can vary in degree or intensity.

Question 19

Lee has earned an undergraduate degree in biology. He is motivated to become a doctor. He has ascertained three letters of recommendation from his professors and has applied to medical school. He has not yet proposed to his girlfriend. Which of these characteristics referring to Lee is a continuous variable?

Accepted Answer

Motivation is a continuous variable because it can vary in degree and intensity over time, unlike the other options which are categorical or binary in nature.

Question 20

De-Barnumize the following statement: "Russians are sensitive to criticism."

Accepted Answer

The original statement is a generalization. De-Barnumizing it involves making it more specific and less universally applicable, which is what option E does by specifying that sensitivity to criticism occurs in particular situations.

Quiz 2: Critical Thinking in Cross-Cultural Psychology