Cognitive Bias and Heuristics Flashcard

Front

What is the ability to focus on two or more tasks simultaneously called?

Back

Divided attention

Answer explanation

The ability to focus on two or more tasks simultaneously is known as divided attention. This term describes how we can manage multiple cognitive tasks at once, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

Front

What is the tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share one's beliefs and behaviors?

Back

False consensus bias

Answer explanation

The tendency to overestimate how much others share our beliefs and behaviors is known as false consensus bias. This cognitive bias leads individuals to assume that their views are more common than they actually are.

Front

Which principle involves rules governing how we organize visual information to form a complete picture?

Back

Gestalt principle

Answer explanation

The Gestalt principle refers to the rules that describe how we perceive visual elements as organized patterns or wholes, helping us to form a complete picture from individual components.

Front

What are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb used to simplify decision-making called?

Back

Heuristics

Answer explanation

Mental shortcuts that simplify decision-making are called heuristics. They help individuals make quick judgments without extensive analysis, distinguishing them from concepts like obedience, perceptual set, and selective attention.

Front

What is continuous data?

Back

Data that can take any value within a range, often used in measurements like height or time.

Answer explanation

Continuous data refers to data that can take any value within a range, such as measurements of height or time. This distinguishes it from fixed or qualitative data, making the first choice the correct answer.

Front

What is the role of a control group in an experiment?

Back

To not receive the treatment and serve as a baseline for comparison.

Answer explanation

The control group does not receive the treatment, allowing researchers to compare results against the experimental group. This helps establish a baseline to determine the treatment's effects accurately.

Front

What is a convenience sample?

Back

A sample chosen based on ease of access rather than random selection.

Answer explanation

A convenience sample is selected based on ease of access, not through random selection. This means it may not represent the entire population, unlike a random sample which aims for broader representation.

Front

What does correlation measure?

Back

The relationship between two variables, showing how one variable changes in response to another.

Answer explanation

Correlation measures the relationship between two variables, indicating how one variable changes in response to another. It does not imply causation, but rather shows the degree of association between the variables.

Front

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

Back

The variable being measured in an experiment, influenced by the independent variable.

Answer explanation

The correct choice defines a dependent variable (DV) as the one being measured in an experiment, which is influenced by the independent variable. This distinguishes it from the independent variable, which is manipulated.

Front

What is a Likert scale used for?

Back

To measure attitudes or opinions with a range of options.

Answer explanation

A Likert scale is specifically designed to measure attitudes or opinions by providing a range of response options, typically from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree', making it ideal for gauging subjective views.