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Question 1
Describe the role of anchoring bias in decision-making, using one example to illustrate your answer.
[4]
Question 2
Using one example, describe how confirmation bias affects the information a person uses to make a decision.
[4]
Question 3
Explain how confirmation bias can make a decision resistant to revision. Support your answer with one example.
[4]
Question 4
Explain why an unreliable starting value may still influence a decision through anchoring bias. Illustrate your explanation with one example.
[4]
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Question 5
Context: Health and well-being
Before meeting a physiotherapist about an injured ankle, Tomas hears an acquaintance say that recovery usually takes two weeks. The physiotherapist explains that Tomas's injury may require considerably longer, but Tomas still books a demanding walking holiday for shortly after the two-week point. He says that allowing a few extra days should be enough.
Apply your knowledge of anchoring bias to Tomas's decision about the walking holiday.
[6]
Question 6
Context: Learning and cognition
Two students must plan time to learn the same unfamiliar set of symbols. Before they examine the material, one student is shown an unsupported suggestion that learning it takes ten minutes, while the other is shown an unsupported suggestion that it takes an hour. They then receive identical information about the material and independently decide how much study time to reserve.
Using your knowledge of anchoring bias, predict how the students' study-time decisions may differ.
[6]
Question 7
Context: Human relationships
Leila believes her friend Noor no longer wants to spend time with her. When Noor declines an invitation because of work, Leila treats this as clear evidence, but when Noor suggests meeting another day, Leila says the offer is only out of politeness. Leila decides to stop inviting Noor to meet.
Analyse the role of confirmation bias in Leila's decision.
[6]
Question 8
Context: Human development
A parent believes that their teenage daughter, Mara, is not ready to travel independently. When deciding whether she may travel alone to a weekend activity, the parent repeatedly mentions one occasion when Mara missed a bus but dismisses several recent journeys she planned and completed successfully. The parent wants to make a fairer decision about Mara's growing independence.
Suggest how the parent could reduce the influence of confirmation bias when making this decision.
[6]
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Question 9
With reference to learning and cognition, to what extent does anchoring bias prevent decision-making from being based on relevant evidence?
[15]
Question 10
Discuss responsibility for reducing the influence of confirmation bias on decision-making in health and well-being.
[15]
Question 11
In the context of human relationships, examine how confirmation bias may limit change in decision-making.
[15]
Question 12
One claim about decision-making in human development is that initial reference points determine later decisions. Evaluate this claim with reference to anchoring bias and causality.
[15]
Build a Practice Exam — Psychology HL
Test your knowledge with a custom paper containing questions from selected topics.
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