Module 35 - Solving Problems and Making Decisions

Question 1

Algorithms

Answer 1

A systematic, logical rule or procedure that guarantees solving a particular problem. Contrasts with the faster but more error-prone heuristics

Question 2

Heuristics

Answer 2

Thinking shortcuts that often allow us to make judgments and solve problems efficiently; usually faster but also more error-prone than algorithms

Question 3

Confirmation Bias

Answer 3

A tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and ignore or distort contradictory evidence

Question 4

Fixation

Answer 4

In cognition, the inability to see a problem from a new perspective

Question 5

Mental set

Answer 5

A tendency to approach a problem in one particular way, often a way that has been successful in the past

Question 6

Intuition

Answer 6

An effortless, immediate, automatic feeling or thought (contrasts with conscious reasoning)

Question 7

Representativeness heuristic

Answer 7

Estimating the likelihood of events in terms of how well they seem to represent, or match, particular prototypes; may lead us to ignore other relevant information

Question 8

Availability heuristic

Answer 8

Estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory; if instances come to mind readily, we assume they are common

Question 9

Overconfidence

Answer 9

The tendency to overestimate the accuracy of our beliefs and judgments

Question 10

Belief perseverance

Answer 10

Clinging to one’s initial conceptions after the basis on which they were formed has been discredited

Question 11

Framing

Answer 11

The way an issue is posed, which can significantly influence decisions