Chapter 11 Decision Making TB

Question 1

Categorical Syllogism

Answer 1

A classic reasoning form composed of two premises and one conclusion in which the logical truth of the conclusion must be derived from the premise

Question 2

Belief Bias

Answer 2

The tendency to accept conclusions when reasoning is based on one’s beliefs rather than logical form

Question 3

Heuristics

Answer 3

An informal ‘rule of thumb’ method for solving problems, not necessarily guaranteed to solve the problem correctly but usually faster or more tractable than the current algorithm

Question 4

Heuristic theories

Answer 4

A theory of human mental reasoning in which people reach conclusions not based on logical steps, but based on convenient shortcuts and rule of thumb

Question 5

Atmosphere heuristic

Answer 5

A logical reasoning heuristic in which people draw conclusions that use the same terms as the premises did

Question 6

Illicit conversion

Answer 6

A logical reasoning heuristic in which people inappropriately swap the terms in a premise, such as mentally converting (‘Some B are A’ ‘Some A are C’)

Question 7

Probability Heuristics Theory

Answer 7

A theory of human mental reasoning in which people reach conclusions using subjective estimates of the probability of events

Question 8

Mental Rules Theory

Answer 8

A theory of human mental reasoning in which people reach conclusions using rules or procedures about how to reach conclusions

Question 9

Mental Models

Answer 9

The mental representation of a situation or physical device; for example, a persons mental model of the physical motion of bodies or a persons mental model of a thermostat

Question 10

Conditional Reasoning

Answer 10

The form of reasoning in which the logical consequences of an if-then statement and some evidence are determined
(e.g., “if it rains then the picnic will be cancelled.” Determined by “it is raining”)

Question 11

Antecedent

Answer 11

The if clause in standard conditional reasoning

Question 12

Consequent

Answer 12

The ‘Then’ clause in standard conditional reasoning

Question 13

Modus Tollens

Answer 13

denying the consequent

Question 14

Modus Ponens

Answer 14

accepting/affirming the consequent

Question 15

Confirmation Bias

Answer 15

The tendency to search for a conclusion that confirms a conclusion

Question 16

Algorithm

Answer 16

A specific solution procedure, often detailed and complex, sure to reach a correct answer if followed correctly

Question 17

Insensitivity to sample size

Answer 17

A bias in the representativeness heuristic in which people fail to acknowledge the affect of sample size

Question 18

Law of small numbers

Answer 18

The erroneous belief that small samples are representative of the population

Question 19

Elimination by aspect

Answer 19

A decision-making heuristic in which a person makes a decision by eliminating options that do not meet a criteria

Question 20

‘fast and frugal’ heuristics

Answer 20

A collection of heuristics in which people use using basic rules of thumb to quickly make decisions

Question 21

Satisficing heuristic

Answer 21

Making a decision by taking the first solution that satisfies some criterion we may have

Question 22

The Recognition Heuristic

Answer 22

Making a decision based of whether you recognize the thing trying to be judged

Question 23

“Take the Best” Heuristic

Answer 23

You decide between alternatives based on the first useful information you find

Question 24

Conjunction Fallacy

Answer 24

The mistake belief that a compound outcome of two characteristics is more likely than just one

Question 25

Complementarity

Answer 25

the idea that different questions about the world are incompatible in that they provide different perspectives

Question 26

Uncertainty

Answer 26

the idea introduced when thinking about circumstances of making a decision if there are two different perspectives. Should you find something out about one perspective, this influences what you can find out about the other

Question 27

Superimposition

Answer 27

The idea that rather than a decision maker being in one of two states concerning an issue, they may be in an indefinite state of various options until a measurement is taken.