Question 1

Regarding how emotions and choice affect one's decision-making, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The statement that the freedom of having a wide variety of choices tends to produce better decision-making is false. Research, including the concept of "choice overload," suggests that having too many options can actually make decision-making more difficult and can lead to lower satisfaction with the chosen option.

Question 2

According to Soman and other researchers, increased stress, cognitive overload, and confusion about the possibilities are some of the reasons that people

Accepted Answer

Increased stress, cognitive overload, and confusion about the possibilities can lead to choice overload, where individuals find it difficult to make a decision when faced with many options.

Question 3

Which of the following can channel us down a narrow path so we attend to only part of the information provided, rather than weighing all the pros and cons?

Accepted Answer

The framing of a question can influence how we perceive and interpret information, leading us to focus on specific aspects of the situation and potentially ignore other relevant information. This can channel our thinking down a narrow path, affecting our decision-making process by making us attend to only part of the information provided.

Question 4

Cindy's parents do not like Cindy's boyfriend Sean and forbid her to see him again. Cindy is angry and hurt, so she decides to elope with Sean that very night. Cindy's decision most likely occurred due to

Accepted Answer

Cindy's decision to elope with Sean is most likely driven by her emotions, particularly her feelings of anger and hurt due to her parents' disapproval. Emotional responses can often lead to impulsive decisions, such as eloping, rather than decisions based on logical analysis or consideration of statistical information like marriage and divorce rates.

Question 5

Janie states that she likes to write, so she will become a journalist, while Matt wants to make a lot of money and decides that "being a lawyer pays well." Both Janie and Matt are making their career decisions by

Accepted Answer

Janie and Matt are both focusing on a single aspect of their desired careers (writing for journalism and high income for law, respectively) without considering the broader range of factors that should influence such a decision. This approach is too narrow because it overlooks other important aspects like job satisfaction, career growth, work-life balance, and the actual demands of the profession.

Question 6

The tendency to perceive a problem in a way that blinds us to possible solutions is called

Accepted Answer

A mental set is a cognitive pattern that represents our customary approach to solving problems, which can sometimes prevent us from seeing alternative solutions or approaches.

Question 7

You go to the new ice cream parlor that has 48 different flavors of ice cream and 20 different toppings. According to behavioral economist Dilip Soman, having all these choices

Accepted Answer

Having a large number of choices can overwhelm individuals, leading to decision fatigue and potentially decreasing their decision-making ability. This phenomenon is often discussed in the context of choice overload, where too many options can lead to difficulty in making decisions and sometimes result in not making a decision at all.

Question 8

In one study, a group of consumers were given an option to purchase jam with half of them choosing from six different flavors and the other half choosing from 24 flavors. The researchers found that the consumers with more choice expressed

Accepted Answer

The study found that while consumers with more choices (24 flavors) showed more interest, they were actually less likely to make a purchase compared to those with fewer options (6 flavors). This phenomenon is often related to the paradox of choice, where too many options can lead to decision paralysis.

Question 9

Restaurants whose menus feature a broader variety of choices often find that

Accepted Answer

When presented with too many options, patrons may feel overwhelmed and tend to stick with familiar choices rather than trying new ones.

Question 10

A large drunken guy in a bar insults Josh's girlfriend. Josh is very angry, but he takes a few deep breaths and "counts to ten." These deep breaths and "counting to ten" will most likely

Accepted Answer

Taking deep breaths and counting to ten are techniques used to calm oneself down in stressful situations, allowing for more rational decision-making rather than reacting impulsively or violently.

Question 11

Regarding a custody matter, two judges are each given profiles of the two parents. One judge is asked, "Which parent should be awarded custody?" while the other judge is asked, "Which parent should be denied custody?" The judges are most likely to see this custody situation differently because of the

Accepted Answer

The framing of the questions influences how the situation is perceived and decisions are made, highlighting the impact of how information is presented on judgment and decision-making processes.

Question 12

Framing decisions narrowly

Accepted Answer

Framing decisions narrowly can limit the consideration of alternative options and perspectives, increasing the risk of overlooking better choices or solutions, thus leading to a higher chance of making a poor decision.

Question 13

When making decisions, emotions, such as fear, hope, anxiety, liking, or disgust can

Accepted Answer

Emotions can significantly influence decision-making by eliminating certain options and prioritizing others based on how they make us feel, rather than purely on logical or rational grounds.

Question 14

Regarding how creativity can be encouraged, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging mental sets, which are habits or patterns of problem-solving, can actually hinder creativity by limiting the ability to see alternative solutions or novel approaches.

Question 15

When people are given reports to review regarding a custody decision, and then asked the question, "Which parent should be awarded custody?" most people tend to

Accepted Answer

Most people tend to look for positive qualities in the parents when deciding who should be awarded custody, as they are often influenced by the desire to ensure the child's well-being and future opportunities.

Question 16

In deciding on a career, Aria is thinking about the pay, working conditions, job satisfaction, needed skills, future employment outlook, and many other factors. Aria

Accepted Answer

Aria is considering a wide range of factors related to her career choice, indicating that she is thinking about her career in a comprehensive and broad manner, rather than focusing narrowly on one aspect or making a quick, superficial judgment.

Question 17

Which of the following ways of framing or stating a problem usually produces the best decision?

Accepted Answer

Framing a problem in a broad manner allows for a comprehensive view of the situation, encouraging consideration of various perspectives and potential solutions. This approach helps in identifying the root causes and understanding the wider implications of the problem, leading to better decision-making.

Question 18

Many people vote for a candidate based more on whether they like the candidate or not, rather than voting for the candidate that is the most qualified for the job, which illustrates how one's judgment can be affected by

Accepted Answer

Voting for a candidate based on likability rather than qualifications illustrates how emotions can influence one's judgment, leading to decisions that prioritize personal feelings over objective criteria.

Question 19

When people are given reports to review regarding a custody decision, and then asked the question, "Which parent should be denied custody?" most people tend to

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon occurs because when making decisions about custody, individuals are more likely to focus on negative qualities to identify which parent might be less suitable for custody, rather than focusing on positive qualities or statistical norms (base rates). This is due to the negativity bias, where negative information tends to influence judgments more strongly than positive information.

Question 20

In selecting a career, it is best to

Accepted Answer

Considering many factors such as future employment outlook, pay, and job satisfaction allows for a more comprehensive and realistic approach to career selection, ensuring that the decision is well-rounded and considers both personal fulfillment and practical aspects.

Quiz 8: Cognition, Language, and Creativity