Recognizing Bias in Reasoning Flashcards
7 cards from real Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
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A researcher selects only studies that support their hypothesis and ignores all contradictory evidence when writing a report. This behavior most clearly illustrates which type of bias?
Answer: Confirmation bias
Confirmation bias involves selectively seeking or accepting information that supports one's pre-existing beliefs while discounting contrary evidence.
A news report concludes that a new policy is unpopular based solely on interviews conducted outside one political party's headquarters. Which bias most undermines this conclusion?
Answer: Selection bias
Selection bias occurs when the sample used is not representative of the broader population, skewing the conclusions drawn.
A candidate is told the typical salary for a role is $70,000 before negotiating and ends up anchoring all their counteroffers close to that figure. This best demonstrates which cognitive bias?
Answer: Anchoring bias
Anchoring bias describes the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions.
Without knowing the circumstances, a manager concludes that an employee who arrived late is irresponsible and lazy. This is a classic example of which reasoning error?
Answer: Fundamental attribution error
The fundamental attribution error involves over-attributing others' behavior to their character while underweighting situational factors.
A politician states: 'Either you support this bill entirely, or you are against economic progress.' Which form of biased reasoning does this statement exemplify?
Answer: False dichotomy
A false dichotomy presents only two options as if no alternatives exist, forcing a choice between extremes when middle positions are possible.
A person argues that a herbal supplement is safe because 'natural things cannot be harmful.' Which type of reasoning error is present?
Answer: Appeal to nature fallacy
The appeal to nature fallacy assumes that something is good or safe simply because it is natural, ignoring that many natural substances can be harmful.
After three of their acquaintances had bad experiences with a particular airline, someone concludes that the airline is terrible for all passengers. This commits which reasoning error?
Answer: Anecdotal evidence used to make a hasty generalization
Hasty generalization occurs when a broad conclusion is drawn from an unrepresentatively small or limited set of examples.