Individual Differences 2- Cognitive Biases

Question 1

Kahneman and Tversky (1973)

Answer 1

Proposed that humans use certain strategies to help us make decisions and judgements - heuristics

May involve focusing on one thing at the expense of another.

These can be useful but can also be harmful
E.g. gambler keeps putting money on because they are certain that lucky numbers will come up.

Question 2

What is illusion of control?

Answer 2

Belief that you can control random events

Question 3

What is availability?

Answer 3

Belief that events are more likely to happen if they are familiar to them

Question 4

What is self- serving bias?

Answer 4

Belief that when positive things happen it’s because of them and when bad things happen it is not their fault.

Question 5

What is hindsight bias?

Answer 5

Belief that they can predict the outcome of something random.

Question 6

What is representiveness?

Answer 6

Belief that random events have a pattern.

Question 7

What is attentional bias?

Answer 7

Addicts pay more attention to stimuli relating to addiction

E.g paying attention to cues associated with smoking.

Question 8

Johnsen et Al (1997) ( attentional bias)

Answer 8

Compared active, abstinent and non smokers on their responses to addiction stroll test. Active smokers took longer to name the colour.