Deck 7: Section 2: Heuristics and Shortcuts: Efficiency in Inference and Decision Making

Question 1

Numerous self-help books encourage people to actively envision the state that they hope to achieve in the future. Is this good advice? Why or why not? If not, what should people do instead? Cite empirical examples to support your response.

Answer 1

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Question 2

Describe what is meant by "illusory correlations." What are some of the influences that can increase or reduce this tendency? What are some of the consequences for social interactions?
a. Imagined correlation or relationship between two variables.
b. Increased by associative meaning prior expectations), co-occurrence, and paired distinctiveness shared unusual feature).
c. Increased when distinctive variables are negative, when people aroused or under cognitive load.
d. Implications for stereotyping - illusory correlations between negative behaviors and stereotypes can reinforce negative views.

Answer 2

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Question 3

Is it possible to learn from the past? Discuss what happens when people make judgments based on hindsight, and whether this is generally a useful strategy.

Answer 3

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Question 4

Describe the situations in which people are most likely to use heuristics, versus using more systematic processing. If it were possible to reduce people's reliance on heuristics, would this be beneficial for the social perceiver?

Question 5

How does temporal or spatial distance change judgments and decision? Describe this change, providing empirical evidence to support your response.