Question 1

Suppose that Sipho has just asked Phindi whether she would like to study with him for an upcoming English exam.Phindi is struggling in the class, and she knows that Sipho is an excellent English student, so she enthusiastically agrees.Meanwhile, Sipho interprets her enthusiasm as a sign that she might have a crush on him, and he therefore suggests that the two of them grab a bite to eat together before studying; 'Phindi is very attractive,' he thinks to himself, 'so why not?' Phindi , meanwhile, who is completely clueless about what is on Sipho's mind, muses to herself, 'Well, that is so nice of him to think that I might be hungry; what a nice study partner!' The fact that Sipho and Phindi interpret things so differently here is most consistent with ____.
A)error management theory
B)self-determination theory
C)reactance theory
D)risk aversion theory

Accepted Answer

Error management theory suggests that individuals make cognitive errors due to evolutionary adaptations that helped them prioritize certain types of information over others in order to enhance survival and reproduction. In this scenario, Sipho's interpretation of Phindi's enthusiasm may be a cognitive error resulting from his evolved bias towards interpreting positive signals from potential mates. On the other hand, Phindi's interpretation may be a result of her bias towards seeing others in a positive light in order to maintain social harmony and cohesion.

Question 2

An old advertisement for Dove ice cream bars touted the bars as 'sinfully' delicious - so delicious that they should be banned or forbidden.The advertisement, which sought to make the bars seem as attractive to people as possible, was apparently playing on ____.
A)reactance
B)the status quo bias
C)the certainty effect
D)risk aversion

Accepted Answer

The advertisement is playing on the reactance effect, which is the psychological reactance that occurs when individuals perceive their freedom is being threatened or restricted. The use of the word 'forbidden' in the advertisement is likely to make the bars more attractive to people because they feel like they are being told they cannot have them. This type of messaging can trigger a reactance response which can make people want the product even more.

Question 3

Which term refers to the tendency to take whatever course of action does not require you to do anything (also called the default option)?
A)omission bias
B)status quo bias
C)certainty effect
D)risk aversion

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which term refers to the tendency to...

Question 4

Suppose that Sipho has just asked Phindi whether she would like to study with him for an upcoming English exam.Phindi is struggling in the class, and she knows that Sipho is an excellent English student, so she enthusiastically agrees and says that she is excited to study with him.According to error management theory, it is likely that Sipho will view Phindi's enthusiasm as a sign that ____.
A)she has a crush on him
B)she values his intelligence
C)she is using him
D)she is probably being insincere

Accepted Answer

Error management theory suggests that people tend to err on the side of caution in social interactions, often interpreting ambiguous signals in a way that minimizes potential costs. In this context, Sipho might interpret Phindi's enthusiasm as a sign of romantic interest, as this would be a more cautious interpretation to avoid missing a potential mating opportunity.

Question 5

Recent research has demonstrated that men and women perceive certain behaviours differently: men are more likely than women to assume that an innocent smile is a sign of flirtation, while women are more likely than men to assume that blatant flirtation is merely a sign of friendliness.These research findings are most consistent with ____.
A)error management theory
B)self-determination theory
C)reactance theory
D)action identification theory

Accepted Answer

Error management theory suggests that individuals may make different types of errors depending on the costs and benefits associated with each type of error. In the case of perceiving flirtation, men may be more likely to perceive an innocent smile as flirtation because the potential cost of missing an opportunity to mate is higher for men than women. On the other hand, women may be more likely to perceive blatant flirtation as friendly because the potential cost of interpreting flirtation as aggression or harassment is higher for women than men. Therefore, the research findings are consistent with error management theory.

Question 6

Much of the time, people are interested in keeping their options open rather than making restrictive, final decisions.Two biases that help them avoid making decisions are ____.
A)the status quo bias and the certainty bias
B)the omission bias and the certainty bias
C)temporal discounting and the certainty bias
D)the status quo bias and the omission bias

Accepted Answer

The status quo bias is a tendency to prefer the current situation rather than making a change. The omission bias is a tendency to avoid making a decision that could lead to harm, even if it means not taking action that could bring a positive outcome. Both of these biases allow people to avoid making decisions that could restrict their options or lead to negative consequences. The other options (A, B, and C) do not accurately describe biases that are specifically related to avoiding final decisions.

Question 7

Movies with ‘R’ ratings tend to be more appealing to children and teens than similar movies with ‘G’ or ‘PG’ ratings. This finding is good evidence of ____.
A) error management theory
B) self-monitoring theory
C) reactance theory
D) temporal bias

Accepted Answer

Reactance theory suggests that people are more likely to desire and pursue something that is restricted or forbidden. In this case, the ‘R’ rating can act as a restriction, creating an increased desire for the movie among children and teens.

Question 8

One of the common consequences of reactance is ____.
A)looking to the social environment for approval
B)becoming depressed or withdrawn
C)acting aggressively toward the person who triggered the reactance
D)carefully reassessing all of your options

Accepted Answer

Reactance often leads to a desire to restore freedom or control, which can manifest as aggressive behavior towards the person or situation that triggered the reactance. This can include lashing out or even retaliating against the perceived threat.

Question 9

According to error management theory, when it comes to making decisions about dating members of the opposite sex, men will be relatively more prone to ____, while women will be relatively more prone to ____.
A)risk aversion; reactance
B)temporal discounting; risk aversion
C)the omission bias; risk aversion
D)reactance; temporal discounting

Accepted Answer

Error management theory suggests that men are more inclined towards temporal discounting, which means they would consider short-term gains and prioritize immediate satisfaction, even if it means taking risks. On the other hand, women are more prone to risk aversion, meaning they are more cautious and likely to avoid risks. This is because, historically, women have had more at stake in reproduction and thus have developed a heightened sense of caution when it comes to mating decisions.

Question 10

Some research suggests that when parents are extremely strict, their children become especially tempted to engage in deviant behaviours.For example, when parents forbid their teen children from going to parties, the teens report being even more attracted to parties and even more interested in attending.These findings are most consistent with ____.
A)social dominance theory
B)error management theory
C)reactance theory
D)temporal bias theory

Accepted Answer

Reactance theory suggests that when people feel their freedom is being restricted, they experience a reactance motivation that drives them to restore that freedom. Applied to the situation with strict parents, the teens feel their freedom to attend parties is being restricted, which makes them more motivated to attend those parties. Therefore, the findings are most consistent with reactance theory.

Question 11

What theme(s) best explain decision avoidance?
A)The idea that some choices are too difficult and the idea of temporal discounting
B)The idea of anticipated regret and the idea of certainty bias
C)The idea that some choices are too difficult and the idea of anticipated regret
D)The idea of temporal discounting and the idea of certainty bias

Accepted Answer

Decision avoidance is best explained by the idea that some choices are too difficult to make and the fear of experiencing anticipated regret if the wrong choice is made.

Question 12

Suppose that you went out on two dates with someone from one of your classes.You were not crazy about the person, but you did not dislike the person either.You thought that you would just wait and see how things turned out.Surprisingly, however, the person sent you an e-mail after your second date and wrote: 'I just don't think we have good chemistry, but it was nice meeting you! Good bye!' All of a sudden, the person becomes much more attractive to you.You wonder what you did wrong, and you strategise about how to get another chance.You are most likely experiencing ____.
A)temporal discounting
B)reactance
C)the reciprocity bias
D)the omission bias

Accepted Answer

The individual in this scenario is experiencing reactance, which is the phenomenon of wanting something more when it becomes less available or unattainable. The rejection in the email has made the person more eager to pursue the individual and strategize for another chance. The other options (temporal discounting, the reciprocity bias, and the omission bias) do not accurately describe the individual's behavior in this scenario.

Question 13

The term ____ refers to the idea that people are distressed by loss of freedom or loss of options, and that they will seek to reclaim or reassert them.
A)monitoring
B)reactance
C)self-regulation
D)status quo bias

Accepted Answer

Reactance theory describes how people react to perceived limits on their freedom by seeking to regain control. This response occurs when people perceive that their freedom or autonomy is being threatened or when they feel their options are being limited. Monitoring refers to the process of observing and measuring behavior or other phenomena, self-regulation refers to the ability to control one's own behavior, and status quo bias refers to a preference for maintaining the current state of affairs. None of these concepts fully capture the idea of reacting to a perceived loss of freedom or options.

Question 14

Even though Neli knows that her relationship with her boyfriend is in trouble, she decides not to do anything about it (i.e., she will simply let the relationship fall to pieces).Social psychologists would say that her decision to do nothing most reflects ____.
A)the certainty effect
B)the omission bias
C)risk aversion
D)temporal discounting

Accepted Answer

The omission bias refers to the tendency to view harmful actions (such as breaking up with a partner) as worse than harmful inactions (such as staying in a failing relationship). In this case, Neli's decision to do nothing reflects the omission bias as she is avoiding the potentially "harmful" action of breaking up with her boyfriend.

Question 15

Bonolo is moving to a new city and has looked at numerous houses.She is avoiding making a decision on which one to purchase because she knows once she chooses, she may find a better house she would have loved even more.What best explains Bonolo's decision avoidance?
A)Anticipation of regret
B)Too many choices
C)Genetic tendency for avoidance
D)Risk aversion

Accepted Answer

Bonolo's decision avoidance is due to anticipation of regret. She is afraid that she will regret her decision once she finds a better house, so she is avoiding making a decision altogether.

Question 16

The status quo bias is one form of ____ in decision-making.
A)monitoring
B)reactance
C)avoidance
D)temporal discounting

Accepted Answer

The status quo bias is a form of avoidance in decision-making, where individuals prefer the current state of affairs to any change or alternative, often due to the desire to avoid the potential losses or discomfort associated with change.

Question 17

According to ____ theory, when it comes to dating and mating members of the opposite sex, men will take advantage of every opportunity to pass along their genes.
A)error management
B)self-determination
C)reactance
D)risk aversion

Accepted Answer

The theory that men will take advantage of every opportunity to pass along their genes is based on the principles of error management theory, which suggests that men have evolved to over-perceive sexual interest from women in order to avoid the costly mistake of missing a chance to procreate. This strategy has been successful for men throughout human history, as it has helped to ensure the survival of their genes.

Question 18

Error management theory suggests that, when it comes to dating and mating members of the opposite sex, men will be more prone to ____ than women.
A)the omission bias
B)the status quo bias
C)temporal discounting
D)risk aversion

Accepted Answer

The answer of Error management theory suggests that, when it...

Question 19

The status quo bias is different from the omission bias in that the former is about making decisions that ____, while the latter is about making decisions that ____.
A)keep things the same; require little effort
B)keep things the same; avoid risks
C)are similar to other people's decisions; require little effort
D)are similar to other people's decisions; avoid risks

Accepted Answer

The answer of The status quo bias is different from...

Question 20

The so-called 'status quo bias' in decision-making refers to the tendency for people to ____.
A)want to keep things the way they are instead of changing
B)want to do whatever it is that other people are doing
C)place more emphasis on present (immediate) outcomes than on future outcomes
D)place more emphasis on definite outcomes than on probable outcomes

Accepted Answer

Status quo bias describes the human tendency to prefer the familiar and established way of doing things rather than changing to a new way. It is the tendency for people to maintain the current state of affairs because they perceive the cost of changing to outweigh the benefits.

Quiz 4: Choices and Actions: the Self in Control

An old advertisement for Dove ice cream bars touted the bars as 'sinfully' delicious - so delicious that they should be banned or forbidden.The advertisement, which sought to make the bars seem as attractive to people as possible, was apparently playing on ____.

Which term refers to the tendency to take whatever course of action does not require you to do anything (also called the default option) ?

Much of the time, people are interested in keeping their options open rather than making restrictive, final decisions.Two biases that help them avoid making decisions are ____.

Movies with ‘R’ ratings tend to be more appealing to children and teens than similar movies with ‘G’ or ‘PG’ ratings. This finding is good evidence of ____.

One of the common consequences of reactance is ____.

According to error management theory, when it comes to making decisions about dating members of the opposite sex, men will be relatively more prone to , while women will be relatively more prone to .

What theme(s) best explain decision avoidance?

The term ____ refers to the idea that people are distressed by loss of freedom or loss of options, and that they will seek to reclaim or reassert them.

Even though Neli knows that her relationship with her boyfriend is in trouble, she decides not to do anything about it (i.e., she will simply let the relationship fall to pieces) .Social psychologists would say that her decision to do nothing most reflects ____.

Bonolo is moving to a new city and has looked at numerous houses.She is avoiding making a decision on which one to purchase because she knows once she chooses, she may find a better house she would have loved even more.What best explains Bonolo's decision avoidance?

The status quo bias is one form of ____ in decision-making.

According to ____ theory, when it comes to dating and mating members of the opposite sex, men will take advantage of every opportunity to pass along their genes.

Error management theory suggests that, when it comes to dating and mating members of the opposite sex, men will be more prone to ____ than women.

The status quo bias is different from the omission bias in that the former is about making decisions that , while the latter is about making decisions that .

The so-called 'status quo bias' in decision-making refers to the tendency for people to ____.