Deck 18: Decision Making: Why Do Our Choices Matter

Question 1

Many coffee shops will offer a 10-cent discount on coffee purchases if you bring in a reusable cup. This shows an example of

A) a prompt.
B) social norms.
C) status quo.
D) an incentive.

Answer 1

an incentive.

Question 2

Based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which of the following correctly orders these three human needs from highest need to lowest need?
-Companionship
-Safety
-Water

A) safety, companionship, water
B) companionship, water, safety
C) water, safety, companionship
D) safety, water, companionship

Answer 2

water, safety, companionship

Question 3

In the hierarchy of needs, which of these is considered LEAST important?

A) the need for shelter
B) the need for friendship
C) the need for creativity
D) the need for sleep

Answer 3

the need for creativity

Question 4

You have just delivered your final class project to your teacher. As soon as your teacher starts reading your paper she begins to shake her head. You immediately think that your project must be terrible. This shows what type of behavior?

A) automatic thinking
B) belief perseverance
C) confirmation bias
D) emotional distancing

Question 5

You walk by someone on the street and the person smiles at you. Which of the following statements demonstrates automatic thinking?

A) I should stop them and ask them what they are smiling about.
B) They must find me attractive.
C) I would like to learn more about their thoughts and attitude.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 6

The idea that people are resistant to change is based on what type of bias?

A) loss aversion
B) motivation
C) confirmation
D) status quo

Question 7

Many products are sold with the promise, "Try it for 30 days and if you do not like it send it back." Despite this, many people do not send products back, even those with which they are not happy. Which statement best explains this?

A) status quo
B) loss aversion
C) automatic thinking
D) social norms

Question 8

Consider the following scenario: Many students at your school purchase a custom-made book bag. There are only 50 for sale and even priced at $100 they quickly sell out. Based on your understanding of loss aversion from Chapter 18, how much would another student need to offer for someone to sell a book bag he or she has previously purchased?

A) $50
B) $100
C) $200
D) $400

Question 9

What is the purpose of emotional defense mechanisms?

A) to relieve us of bad feelings associated with a difficult situation
B) to allow us to blame someone else for bad feelings we have
C) to isolate us from others who may be associated with bad feelings
D) None of these are correct.

Question 10

You are studying environmental science in your bedroom when you receive a notification on your phone. It informs you that someone has stolen your identity, and it requires immediate attention. If you respond to this information with the emotional defense mechanism of denial, what might you do?

A) immediately respond to try to correct the situation
B) delete the notification and go back to studying
C) read the notification while reminding yourself not to be upset
D) read the notification, reminding yourself there is nothing you can do about it

Question 11

You are studying environmental science in your bedroom when you receive a notification on your phone. It informs you that someone has stolen your identity, and it requires immediate attention. If you respond to this information with the emotional defense mechanism of emotional distancing, what might you do?

A) immediately respond to try to correct the situation
B) delete the notification and go back to studying
C) read the notification while reminding yourself not to be upset
D) read the notification, reminding yourself there is nothing you can do about it

Question 12

You are studying environmental science in your bedroom when you receive a notification on your phone. It informs you that someone has stolen your identity, and it requires immediate attention. If you respond to this information with the emotional defense mechanism of resignation, what might you do?

A) immediately respond to try to correct the situation
B) delete the notification and go back to studying
C) read the notification while reminding yourself not to be upset
D) read the notification, reminding yourself there is nothing you can do about it

Question 13

You are studying environmental science in your bedroom when you receive a notification on your phone. It informs you that someone has stolen your identity, and it requires immediate attention. If you respond to this information with the emotional defense mechanism of delegation, what might you do?

A) immediately respond to try to correct the situation
B) delete the notification and go back to your studying
C) call your credit card company, who you believe is to blame for the stolen identity
D) read the notification, reminding yourself there is nothing you can do about it

Question 14

People are confused and upset if someone they are calling on the telephone answers "good-bye" and finishes the conversation with "hello." This is an example of NOT following

A) social norms.
B) feedback.
C) the hierarchy of needs.
D) commitments.

Question 15

Many people question the validity of climate change, despite repeated studies presenting evidence supporting it. Which human behavior explains this?

A) emotional defense mechanisms
B) confirmation bias
C) automatic thinking
D) belief perseverance

Question 16

A person believes that people who are right-handed are more intelligent. Based on your understanding of confirmation bias, which type of information would this person favor?

A) a scientific study comparing intelligence of people who are right- and left-handed
B) a single person who is right-handed and also very intelligent
C) a single person who is left-handed and also very intelligent
D) All of these are correct.

Question 17

A friend drives an old truck that has poor fuel economy. You suggest that they probably could trade that old truck in and buy a compact car, which would have much improved fuel economy. Based on status quo, what will your friend MOST likely do?

A) trade the truck in and buy the compact car
B) keep the truck and also buy the compact car
C) get rid of the truck and use public transportation
D) keep the truck without buying the compact car

Question 18

Research on confirmation bias has shown that the key for someone or something to be viewed as trustworthy and be seen with higher regard is to

A) support current beliefs.
B) not support current beliefs.
C) be scientific data.
D) be presented by a friend or relative.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of bias discussed in this chapter?

A) cognitive dissonance
B) automatic thinking
C) loss aversion
D) All of these are correct.

Question 20

If someone fails to stop at a stop sign, hits another car, and then blames that driver for the accident, he or she would be displaying which type of emotional defense mechanism?

A) delegation
B) emotional distancing
C) resignation
D) motivation

Question 21

Often when a person is confronted about an addiction, they will claim there is not an issue and they can stop their behavior whenever they want. This is known as which type of emotional defense mechanism?

A) delegation
B) emotional distancing
C) denial
D) resignation

Question 22

Loss aversion results in someone giving more value to something

A) someone else has.
B) that is popular.
C) that he or she cannot get.
D) that he or she possesses.

Question 23

A hotel chain is trying to encourage its customers to reduce their water usage during their stays. Which of the following would be the most effective prompt to reduce water usage?

A) a sign at the registration desk reminding people to use less water
B) a gauge that measures the amount of water people use in comparison with other guests
C) a sign on the bathroom mirror reminding people to use less water
D) a reminder played on the television set to use less water

Question 24

A hotel chain is trying to encourage its customers to reduce their water usage during their stays. Which of the following would be the most effective feedback to reduce water usage?

A) a sign at the registration desk reminding people to use less water
B) a gauge that measures the amount of water people use in comparison with other guests
C) a sign on the bathroom mirror reminding people to use less water
D) a reminder played on the television set to use less water

Question 25

A hotel chain is trying to encourage its customers to reduce their water usage during their stays. How could the chain use a commitment to reduce water usage?

A) have all guests sign a form at check-in pledging to reduce water usage
B) install sinks that stop running after one minute of use
C) post signs in the room reminding people to use less water
D) install a gauge measuring water usage

Question 26

A utility company is attempting to reduce natural gas usage among its customers. It has sent out a survey to all customers asking them how much they value reducing the use of fossil
Fuels. How could cognitive dissonance be used to achieve a reduction in natural gas usage?

A) share each individual's survey answers with his or her neighbors
B) send each individual his or her survey results along with his or her usage of natural gas
C) post signs on roads and highways encouraging people to use less natural gas
D) install meters to reduce the flow of natural gas to each household

Question 27

In order for a prompt to be successful it must be

A) easy to understand.
B) noticeable.
C) placed where the change in behavior is needed.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 28

One of the ways that feedback can be most effective is to be timely and specific. Which of the following would be the best way to provide feedback on household water usage?

A) a monthly summary of water usage mailed to your home
B) a weekly summary of water usage emailed to you
C) a notification on your phone every time the water is on for more than 10 minutes
D) a published daily statement of water usage for your city or town

Question 29

A display on the dashboard of a vehicle providing instant fuel economy is one type of

A) prompt.
B) feedback.
C) commitment.
D) prompt and feedback.

Question 30

One method used to reduce binge drinking on college campuses is to publicize the number of students that do not engage in these behaviors. Why might this lead to more students avoiding binge drinking?

A) It displays the social norm.
B) It provides feedback.
C) It can lead to automatic thinking.
D) It results in the status quo.

Question 31

If someone is passionate about reducing his impact on the climate, his drive to reduce electricity use, buy local foods, and use his vehicle less can also be termed his

A) incentive.
B) prompt.
C) belief perseverance.
D) motivation.

Question 32

The immediate associations, images, and even feelings you experience when someone mentions a favorite food is an example of

A) framing
B) feedback.
C) incentive.
D) motivation.

Question 33

A utility company is trying to increase renewable sources of electricity. It would like to encourage customers to install solar panels or wind turbines. What would be one way the company could encourage this change using incentives?

A) offer a reduction in electricity rates for those people installing renewable energy sources
B) increase the fees on customers who do not install renewable energy sources
C) offer a credit of $1,000 to any customer who installs renewable energy sources
D) All of these are correct.

Question 34

Which of the following is a recycling incentive discussed in chapter 18?

A) charging a small deposit for each bottle that is refunded when recycled
B) adding large signs near recycling containers
C) increasing fees for recycling compared to waste disposal
D) encouraging the combined disposal of recyclable and waste materials

Question 35

We often see labels on products as an attempt to frame consumer choices. Which of the following labels is associated with environmental sustainability?

A) ENERGY STAR label
B) EPA energy guide label
C) EPA fuel economy label
D) All of these are correct.

Question 36

Chapter 18 describes several ways that grocery chains encourage people to increase their use of reusable bags. Which do you think would be most effective and why?

Question 37

Social norms can vary in different parts of the world. Giving a thumbs up or an OK sign in some other countries is considered offensive. Why are social norms so different around the world?

Question 38

What is one prompt that could be used at your school to reduce food waste in the cafeteria?

Question 39

What is one commitment that you could make today about reducing your impact on the environment? Describe at least two ways to achieve your commitment.

Question 40

In Chapter 18, we learned that our needs linked to social acceptance are often weighed more than others. Based on this, suggest a strategy to market a new electric vehicle.