Question 1

Which concept might explain a leader's reluctance to change the course of action due to their fear of potential losses?
A)rational choice
B)prospect theory
C)utility maximization
D)policy agenda

Accepted Answer

Prospect theory explains how people make decisions based on the potential value of losses and gains rather than the final outcome. It suggests that people fear losses more than they value gains, which can lead to a reluctance to change course to avoid potential losses.

Question 2

Which of the following eschews the explanatory importance of the individual level of analysis in favor of systemic explanations?
A)neorealism
B)liberalism
C)constructivism
D)Marxism

Accepted Answer

Neorealism, also known as structural realism, emphasizes the international system's structure over the characteristics or behavior of individual states, thus eschewing the explanatory importance of the individual level of analysis.

Question 3

What is the second decision making stage of poliheuristic theory?
A)rejecting suboptimal options
B)simplifying alternatives
C)using cognitive heuristics
D)assessing the remaining alternatives

Accepted Answer

Assessing the remaining alternatives is the second decision making stage of poliheuristic theory.

Question 4

Which of the following refers to the degree to which nations cluster around the powerful state?
A)groupthink
B)collaboration
C)balancing
D)polarization

Accepted Answer

Polarization refers to the process or phenomenon through which the political attitudes or opinions of a population divide and cluster around two extremes or poles. In the context of international relations, it often describes how nations align themselves with or against a powerful state, leading to a situation where the international system is dominated by two main power centers or blocs.

Question 5

Which theoretical approach assumes that foreign policy making consists primarily of an international actor adjusting to the pressures of an anarchical global system whose essential properties do not vary?
A)realism
B)liberalism
C)constructivism
D)feminism

Accepted Answer

Realism posits that the international system is anarchic and that states primarily act to ensure their own survival by responding to external pressures and threats. This approach emphasizes the enduring nature of the anarchical system and the constant state of competition and power balancing among states.

Question 6

Which level of analysis does the history-making individual model operate at?
A)individual
B)state
C)global
D)systemic

Accepted Answer

The history-making individual model operates at the individual level, focusing on the impact that specific leaders or influential figures have on historical events and processes.

Question 7

Which of the following is a decision-making theory that accounts for process and outcome of decisions through a two-stage analytic model that incorporates cognitive approaches with rational choice expectations?
A)irrational choice
B)theory of risky prospects
C)poliheuristic theory
D)affective intelligence theory

Accepted Answer

Poliheuristic theory is a decision-making theory that combines cognitive processes with rational choice principles, analyzing decisions in a two-stage model where the first stage eliminates options based on a non-compensatory principle (usually political), and the second stage applies a more traditional cost-benefit analysis. This approach acknowledges the complexity of decision-making by incorporating both the process and outcome of decisions.

Question 8

The bureaucratic politics model posits that large bureaucratic organizations rely on which of the following?
A)policy networks
B)standard operating procedures
C)groupthink
D)two-level games

Accepted Answer

The bureaucratic politics model suggests that large bureaucratic organizations depend on standard operating procedures to guide their operations and decision-making processes. These procedures help maintain consistency, efficiency, and predictability within the organization.

Question 9

Which of the following claims can be associated with rational choice theory?
A)Decision makers are susceptible to their psychological biases.
B)Decision makers tend to be erratic under stress.
C)Decision makers are purposeful and goal-oriented.
D)Decision makers are susceptible to cognitive dissonance.

Accepted Answer

Rational choice theory posits that individuals make decisions that they believe will lead to the best outcome, based on their goals and the information available to them. It assumes that decision makers are purposeful and goal-oriented, acting in a manner that they believe will best serve their interests.

Question 10

Which of the following are the elements of the three-part decision-making framework?
A)individual decision makers, internal influences, and global factors
B)individual decision makers, internal influences, and public opinion
C)individual decision makers, public opinion, and the media
D)Congress, the military, and the executive branch

Accepted Answer

The three-part decision-making framework includes individual decision makers, internal influences (such as organizational culture or internal policies), and global factors (which encompass external influences like international laws, global market conditions, etc.). This framework helps in understanding how decisions are made by considering the interplay between personal, organizational, and external elements.

Question 11

What concept refers to a person's belief in their own ability to make effective rational choices?
A)satisficing
B)political efficacy
C)zeitgeist
D)caucus

Accepted Answer

Political efficacy refers to the belief that one has the ability to influence political processes and that their participation can make a difference, which is closely related to the concept of believing in one's ability to make effective rational choices in a political context.

Question 12

Which of the following makes use of hypothetical situations to help determine standard operating procedures?
A)affective intelligence theory
B)game theory
C)road-trip diplomacy
D)cognitive dissonance

Accepted Answer

Game theory involves the use of hypothetical scenarios to analyze strategic interactions and decision-making processes, which can help in determining standard operating procedures.

Question 13

Which of the following refers to the constraints written into law or custom that predispose decision makers in a particular governmental position to act in a manner and style that is consistent with expectations about them and their position?
A)poliheuristic constraints
B)efficacy
C)roles
D)heuristics

Accepted Answer

Roles refer to the expectations and norms associated with a particular position in government or any organization, guiding how individuals in those positions are expected to behave and make decisions.

Question 14

Which of the following can liberate a leader from constraints that he or she faces during decision making?
A)a crisis
B)bureaucracy
C)cognitive dissonance
D)policy networks

Accepted Answer

A crisis can liberate a leader from constraints by necessitating quick, decisive action, often allowing them to bypass normal bureaucratic procedures and resistance.

Question 15

What is a common problem a policy maker may experience when conducting foreign policy?
A)lack of diplomatic support
B)inflated ego
C)erratic institutions
D)incomplete information

Accepted Answer

Policy makers often face the challenge of incomplete information, which can hinder their ability to make fully informed decisions in foreign policy.

Question 16

Which of the following refers to a model of policy which sets foreign policy choices based on bargaining and compromises among competing government agencies?
A)bureaucratic politics model
B)legislative politics model
C)policy networks
D)rational choice

Accepted Answer

The bureaucratic politics model explains foreign policy decisions as the outcome of bargaining and compromises among competing government agencies, each with its own interests and objectives.

Question 17

What term describes the blocking of information that does not conform to one's preexisting beliefs?
A)satisficing
B)cognitive dissonance
C)affective intelligence
D)game theory

Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced by a person who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values. This discomfort leads to an avoidance of information that contradicts existing beliefs, effectively blocking such information.

Question 18

Which of the following is a central tenet of prospect theory?
A)utility maximization
B)satisficing
C)cognitive dissonance
D)risk aversion

Accepted Answer

Prospect theory, developed by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, suggests that people value gains and losses differently, leading to decisions that deviate from those predicted by classical utility theory. A central aspect of this theory is that people exhibit risk aversion when dealing with potential gains and risk-seeking behavior when facing potential losses.

Question 19

Which theoretical approach is most likely to explain decision-making processes by looking at concepts such as culture, identity, ideas, discourse, and roles?
A)realism
B)liberalism
C)constructivism
D)Marxism

Accepted Answer

Constructivism focuses on the role of ideas, beliefs, culture, and identity in international relations, including how these factors influence decision-making processes. It emphasizes the social construction of reality and the importance of non-material factors.

Question 20

Which of the following is an implication of the prospect theory?
A)Decision makers tend to gravitate toward the "status quo."
B)Decision makers are utility maximizers.
C)Decision makers are inherently irrational.
D)Decision makers are not constrained by global factors.

Accepted Answer

Prospect theory, developed by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, suggests that people value gains and losses differently, leading to decisions that deviate from those predicted by classical utility theory. One implication of this theory is that individuals have a strong tendency to remain at the status quo because the potential losses from leaving it loom larger than the potential gains. This is why choice A is correct. Choices B, C, and D do not directly follow from prospect theory. While prospect theory does challenge the assumption of utility maximization (B) by suggesting people evaluate potential losses and gains differently, it does not claim decision makers are inherently irrational (C) or not influenced by global factors (D).

Quiz 3: Theories of International Decision Making

Which concept might explain a leader's reluctance to change the course of action due to their fear of potential losses?

Which of the following eschews the explanatory importance of the individual level of analysis in favor of systemic explanations?

What is the second decision making stage of poliheuristic theory?

Which of the following refers to the degree to which nations cluster around the powerful state?

Which theoretical approach assumes that foreign policy making consists primarily of an international actor adjusting to the pressures of an anarchical global system whose essential properties do not vary?

Which level of analysis does the history-making individual model operate at?

Which of the following is a decision-making theory that accounts for process and outcome of decisions through a two-stage analytic model that incorporates cognitive approaches with rational choice expectations?

The bureaucratic politics model posits that large bureaucratic organizations rely on which of the following?

Which of the following claims can be associated with rational choice theory?

Which of the following are the elements of the three-part decision-making framework?

What concept refers to a person's belief in their own ability to make effective rational choices?

Which of the following makes use of hypothetical situations to help determine standard operating procedures?

Which of the following refers to the constraints written into law or custom that predispose decision makers in a particular governmental position to act in a manner and style that is consistent with expectations about them and their position?

Which of the following can liberate a leader from constraints that he or she faces during decision making?

What is a common problem a policy maker may experience when conducting foreign policy?

Which of the following refers to a model of policy which sets foreign policy choices based on bargaining and compromises among competing government agencies?

What term describes the blocking of information that does not conform to one's preexisting beliefs?

Which of the following is a central tenet of prospect theory?

Which theoretical approach is most likely to explain decision-making processes by looking at concepts such as culture, identity, ideas, discourse, and roles?

Which of the following is an implication of the prospect theory?