Question 1

When people make the conjunction fallacy,it is most likely because:
A)they are using an algorithmic approach.
B)their judgment is being affected by an anchor.
C)they are using the representativeness heuristic.
D)they are using a mental set.

Accepted Answer

The conjunction fallacy occurs when people believe that two events co-occurring together is more likely than just one of the events occurring alone. This is because of the representativeness heuristic, where people tend to make judgments based on how well an event fits into a certain prototype or category. In this case, people may believe that the conjunction of two events is more representative of a specific category or prototype, leading them to make the fallacious judgment.

Question 2

When using the availability heuristic,people tend to judge the probability of an event based on:
A)their previously existing beliefs about the likelihood of the event.
B)their step-by-step analysis of the situation.
C)how well the example represents a specific category.
D)the ease with which they can think of examples.

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic relies on the ease with which people can retrieve examples from memory. Therefore, people tend to judge the probability of an event based on how easily examples come to mind.

Question 3

Nate thinks that Conservatives and the NDP almost never work together in Senate.The reason he believes this is that he finds it much easier to think of examples of politicians from the two parties not working together than to think of examples them working together.It is likely that the ______________ has caused Nate to underestimate how frequently Conservatives and the NDP work together.
A)availability heuristic
B)confirmation bias
C)representativeness heuristic
D)anchoring effect

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic refers to the tendency to rely on readily available information when making judgments or decisions. In this case, Nate is relying on his ability to easily recall examples of Conservatives and the NDP not working together, which may not be representative of the actual frequency with which they do work together. This leads to an underestimation of their ability to collaborate.

Question 4

When someone does not see that a tool can be used for something other than its intended purpose,they are likely experiencing ________________.
A)a conjunction fallacy
B)belief perseverance
C)functional fixedness
D)confirmation bias

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness refers to the tendency to see objects as having only one specific use or function. This can lead people to overlook other possible uses for the object, limiting their problem-solving abilities.

Question 5

When negotiating with a potential buyer,Tela always starts by suggesting a price that is much higher than she expects to receive.She's noticed that when she suggest a specific number,the buyer is likely to counter with an offer that is relatively close to her initial suggestion.This is an example of:
A)a framing effect.
B)a mental set.
C)an availability effect.
D)an anchoring effect.

Accepted Answer

Tela is utilizing the anchoring effect by suggesting a high price as her initial offer, which sets a higher reference point for the buyer's counteroffer. This can result in the buyer offering a price that is closer to Tela's initial offer than if she had suggested a lower price to begin with.

Question 6

The television character MacGyver was famous for using everyday objects to get out of trouble.In one episode,for example,MacGyver used the aluminum foil wrapper from a stick of gum to replace a blown electrical fuse.The MacGyver character clearly did NOT suffer from what cognitive obstacle to problem solving?
A)the anchoring effect
B)confirmation bias
C)functional fixedness
D)the representative heuristic

Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness is the tendency to see objects only in their traditional roles and not as objects that could be used in a different way to solve a problem. Since MacGyver was able to use everyday objects in creative and unconventional ways to solve problems, it can be inferred that he did not suffer from functional fixedness. The other options, anchoring effect, confirmation bias, and representative heuristic, are not relevant to the scenario presented.

Question 7

When Arya tries to hang her degree in her office,she realizes that she doesn't have a hammer to secure the nail to the wall.She thinks for a moment and then takes off her shoe and uses it to bang in the nail.Arya has overcome which cognitive obstacle?
A)confirmation bias
B)belief perseverance
C)a conjunction fallacy
D)functional fixedness

Accepted Answer

Arya has overcome the cognitive obstacle of functional fixedness, which is the tendency to perceive an object as only serving its traditional function and inability to see it in a novel way. In this case, Arya could have been stuck thinking that her shoe was only meant for her foot, but instead, she thought creatively and used it to hammer the nail. A, B, and C are not relevant to the situation.

Question 8

Researchers have suggested that beyond simply comprehending a joke,a person must __________ to find it 'humourous'.
A)elaborate or identify with it
B)break it down and analyze its components
C)observe someone else laughing at it
D)be surprised by the outcome

Accepted Answer

Understanding a joke is only the first step. To truly find it humorous, a person must also be able to relate to it on a personal level or find it elaborative in some way.

Question 9

When people attempt to solve a problem involving numbers,they may find themselves using another number called a(n)____________ to keep their response within a limited range.
A)anchor
B)mental set
C)frame
D)ground

Accepted Answer

An anchor in problem-solving and decision-making contexts refers to a specific value or number that individuals use as a reference point to estimate or predict unknown quantities. This anchoring effect can influence how people assess probabilities, make forecasts, or solve problems, as they tend to adjust their estimates around the anchor, often insufficiently.

Question 10

Research has shown that jokes often involve some form of problem solving.The initial step of identifying that some aspect of the set-up is unexpected is known as _________.
A)incongruity resolution
B)cognitive elaboration
C)incongruity detection
D)comprehension-elaboration

Accepted Answer

The initial step of identifying that some aspect of the set-up is unexpected is known as incongruity detection. This is because jokes often involve setting up a certain expectation or context, and then subverting it in a surprising or unexpected way, leading to a humorous resolution. This process of recognizing the unexpected element is essential for the punchline to work as a moment of cognitive release, which is what generates the laughter.

Question 11

Suppose 40% of all of the books in a library are fiction and 2% of all of the books are on the Roman Empire.Wanda is a big fan of historical fiction novels.Which of the following is she LEAST likely to leave the library with?
A)a fiction book
B)a book that involves the Roman Empire
C)a fictional book that takes place in the Roman Empire
D)the answer cannot be determined from the information given

Accepted Answer

The probability of a book being both fiction and about the Roman Empire is lower than the probability of a book being just fiction or just about the Roman Empire.

Question 12

When Howie's old girlfriend used to get upset with him,he could smooth things over by buying flowers or chocolates for her.He keeps trying this strategy with his current girlfriend,but she gets angry with him each time.It appears that Howie has developed _______________,which is interfering with the development of a new relationship strategy.
A)a mental set
B)functional fixedness
C)a prototype
D)a representativeness heuristic

Accepted Answer

Howie has become fixed in his previous relationship strategy and is unable to adapt to a new approach with his current girlfriend. This inflexibility is an example of a mental set, which can interfere with problem-solving and decision-making. Functional fixedness refers to the tendency to only see an object in terms of its typical function or use, which is not applicable in this situation. A prototype and representativeness heuristic are not relevant to the scenario given.

Question 13

Which decision-making strategy involves making judgments of likelihood based on how well an example represents a specific category?
A)an algorithm
B)a conjunction heuristic
C)the representativeness heuristic
D)the availability heuristic

Accepted Answer

The representativeness heuristic involves making judgments of likelihood based on how well an example represents a specific category. This strategy fails to take into account base rates, or the actual frequency of an event or characteristic in a population, and can lead to faulty decision-making.

Question 14

Johannes has been a car mechanic for many years and is very good at diagnosing problems with cars.However,when an electric car comes into the garage,his approach to diagnosing the problem is unsuccessful.Johannes failure is likely the result of:
A)a conjunction fallacy.
B)an availability heuristic.
C)functional fixedness.
D)a mental set.

Accepted Answer

Johannes' failure is likely due to a mental set, which is a tendency to approach situations in a certain way because that method has worked in the past. Since electric cars function differently from traditional cars, his usual diagnostic methods, which are based on his experiences with traditional cars, may not be effective.

Question 15

A(n)_______________ occurs when an individual believes the probability of finding a specific member in two overlapping categories is more likely than finding any member of one of the larger,general categories.
A)anchoring effect
B)representativeness error
C)confirmation bias
D)conjunction fallacy

Accepted Answer

The given scenario fulfills the definition of conjunction fallacy, where the individual considers the probability of finding a specific member in two overlapping categories (conjunction) to be more likely than finding any member of one of the larger, general categories. The other options do not fit the scenario described.

Question 16

In a research study,participants are told that Louis has lived in Boston his whole life.They are then asked which is more likely: A)Louis is a baseball fan,or B)Louis is a baseball fan who roots for the Boston Red Sox.Which of the following is true?
A)Participants who answer 'A' have committed an availability heuristic error.
B)Participants who answer 'A' have committed the conjunction fallacy.
C)Participants who answer 'B' have committed an availability heuristic error.
D)Participants who answer 'B' have committed the conjunction fallacy.

Accepted Answer

Participants who choose 'B' have committed the conjunction fallacy, which occurs when it is assumed that specific conditions are more probable than a single general one.

Question 17

Seventy percent of the students in a classroom are women and 30 percent are men.One student is described as ambitious,athletic,and assertive.Why might people think this description refers to a male student?
A)They are using a conjunction fallacy.
B)They are using the representativeness heuristic.
C)They are being influenced by framing effects.
D)They are being influenced by confirmational biases.

Accepted Answer

People might think this description refers to a male student because of the representativeness heuristic, which is the tendency to judge the likelihood of an event based on how well it matches a typical example or prototype. In our society, there is a stereotype that men are more ambitious, athletic, and assertive than women, so people might unconsciously associate these traits with a male student.

Question 18

A loose screw on the glove compartment causes it to drop down while Ben drives,but he keeps forgetting to take a screwdriver out to the car to fix it.When the compartment falls open again,he reaches into his pocket for a dime to use to tighten the screw.What problem-solving difficulty did Ben overcome?
A)belief perseverance
B)functional fixedness
C)conjunction fallacy
D)the representative heuristic

Accepted Answer

Ben overcame functional fixedness by using a dime as a substitute tool to tighten the screw instead of only considering a screwdriver as the only tool.

Question 19

A real-estate agent is asked by her clients how much they should ask for their house.She just sold a house for $300 000,so she finds herself suggesting an amount within the same range.This is an example of _____________.
A)belief perseverance
B)confirmation bias
C)the representativeness heuristic
D)the anchoring effect

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the anchoring effect, where the initial piece of information (the sale price of the previous house) serves as an anchor or reference point for the suggested price of the current house. Despite other factors that may influence the value, the agent is using this anchor to guide their recommendation.

Question 20

Frank mistakenly believes that there are more words that begin with the letter "k" than there are with the letter "k" in the third position due to __________________.
A)the representativeness heuristic
B)the availability heuristic
C)a conjunction fallacy
D)confirmation bias

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the availability heuristic - Frank is relying on the ease with which he can recall words that start with "k" (which may be more common in his experience) rather than considering the actual frequency of words that have "k" in the third position.

Quiz 8: C: Thought and Language

When people make the conjunction fallacy,it is most likely because:

When using the availability heuristic,people tend to judge the probability of an event based on:

When someone does not see that a tool can be used for something other than its intended purpose,they are likely experiencing ________________.

When Arya tries to hang her degree in her office,she realizes that she doesn't have a hammer to secure the nail to the wall.She thinks for a moment and then takes off her shoe and uses it to bang in the nail.Arya has overcome which cognitive obstacle?

Researchers have suggested that beyond simply comprehending a joke,a person must __________ to find it 'humourous'.

When people attempt to solve a problem involving numbers,they may find themselves using another number called a(n) ____________ to keep their response within a limited range.

Research has shown that jokes often involve some form of problem solving.The initial step of identifying that some aspect of the set-up is unexpected is known as _________.

Suppose 40% of all of the books in a library are fiction and 2% of all of the books are on the Roman Empire.Wanda is a big fan of historical fiction novels.Which of the following is she LEAST likely to leave the library with?

Which decision-making strategy involves making judgments of likelihood based on how well an example represents a specific category?

Johannes has been a car mechanic for many years and is very good at diagnosing problems with cars.However,when an electric car comes into the garage,his approach to diagnosing the problem is unsuccessful.Johannes failure is likely the result of:

A(n) _______________ occurs when an individual believes the probability of finding a specific member in two overlapping categories is more likely than finding any member of one of the larger,general categories.

In a research study,participants are told that Louis has lived in Boston his whole life.They are then asked which is more likely: A) Louis is a baseball fan,or B) Louis is a baseball fan who roots for the Boston Red Sox.Which of the following is true?

Seventy percent of the students in a classroom are women and 30 percent are men.One student is described as ambitious,athletic,and assertive.Why might people think this description refers to a male student?

A real-estate agent is asked by her clients how much they should ask for their house.She just sold a house for $300 000,so she finds herself suggesting an amount within the same range.This is an example of _____________.

Frank mistakenly believes that there are more words that begin with the letter "k" than there are with the letter "k" in the third position due to __________________.