Understanding Thinking and Behavioural Biases

What is the Dual Process Model in psychology?

• A theory that suggests there is only one type of thinking process.

• A theory that suggests there are two types of thinking processes: System 1 and System 2.

• A theory that suggests thinking is influenced only by emotions.

• A theory that suggests thinking is a random process.

Answer explanation

The Dual Process Model in psychology posits that there are two distinct types of thinking: System 1, which is fast and intuitive, and System 2, which is slow and deliberate. This makes the second answer choice correct.

Which of the following best describes System 1 thinking?

• Slow and analytical.

• Fast and automatic.

• Always logical and rational.

• Requires conscious effort.

Answer explanation

System 1 thinking is characterized as fast and automatic, allowing for quick judgments and decisions without deliberate analysis. This contrasts with System 2 thinking, which is slow and analytical.

Which of the following is a characteristic of System 2 thinking?

• It is impulsive and emotional.

• It is fast and requires little effort.

• It is slow and requires conscious effort.

• It is always correct.

Answer explanation

System 2 thinking is characterized by being slow and requiring conscious effort, as it involves deliberate reasoning and analysis, unlike the impulsive and fast nature of System 1 thinking.

The tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making judgements is known as:

• anchoring bias
• hindsight bias
• availability heuristic
• confirmation bias

Answer explanation

Anchoring bias refers to the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered, which can skew decision-making and judgments. This makes the first impression or data point disproportionately influential.

What is confirmation bias?

• The tendency to rely on the first piece of information encountered.

• The tendency to seek out information that confirms one's beliefs.

• The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory.

• The tendency to be influenced by the way information is presented.

Answer explanation

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out information that supports one's existing beliefs, while ignoring or dismissing contradictory evidence. This makes the second answer choice the correct one.

What is availability bias?

• The tendency to rely on the first piece of information encountered.

• The tendency to seek out information that confirms one's beliefs.

• The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory.

• The tendency to be influenced by the way information is presented.

Answer explanation

Availability bias refers to the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events based on how easily they come to mind. This means people often judge the frequency or probability of events by how readily examples can be recalled.

What is the framing effect?

• The tendency to rely on the first piece of information encountered.

• The tendency to seek out information that confirms one's beliefs.

• The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory.

• The tendency to be influenced by the way information is presented.

Answer explanation

The framing effect refers to how people's decisions are influenced by the way information is presented, rather than just the information itself. This makes the correct choice about being influenced by presentation.

Which of the following is a principle of behaviourism?

• Behaviour is primarily influenced by genetics.

• Behaviour is learned through interactions with the environment.

• Behaviour is determined by unconscious desires.

• Behaviour is random and unpredictable.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Behaviour is learned through interactions with the environment,' aligns with behaviourism, which emphasizes that behaviour is shaped by environmental stimuli rather than genetics or unconscious desires.

What is classical conditioning?

• A learning process that involves rewards and punishments.

• A learning process that involves associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.

• A learning process that involves trial and error.

• A learning process that involves imitation.

Answer explanation

Classical conditioning is a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response. This is distinct from processes involving rewards, trial and error, or imitation.

What is operant conditioning?

• A learning process that involves associating a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus.

• A learning process that involves rewards and punishments.

• A learning process that involves imitation.

• A learning process that involves insight.

Answer explanation

Operant conditioning is a learning process that involves rewards and punishments to shape behavior. This distinguishes it from other learning processes like classical conditioning, imitation, or insight.