Mathematical Psychology

Description: Mathematical Psychology Quiz
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: mathematical psychology psychophysics signal detection theory decision making
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What is the Weber-Fechner law?

  1. The just noticeable difference (JND) between two stimuli is proportional to the magnitude of the original stimulus.

  2. The JND between two stimuli is constant.

  3. The JND between two stimuli is inversely proportional to the magnitude of the original stimulus.

  4. The JND between two stimuli is independent of the magnitude of the original stimulus.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The Weber-Fechner law states that the JND between two stimuli is proportional to the magnitude of the original stimulus. This means that the larger the original stimulus, the larger the JND must be in order for the difference to be noticeable.

What is the difference between absolute and difference thresholds?

  1. Absolute thresholds are the minimum amount of a stimulus that can be detected, while difference thresholds are the minimum amount of change in a stimulus that can be detected.

  2. Absolute thresholds are the maximum amount of a stimulus that can be detected, while difference thresholds are the maximum amount of change in a stimulus that can be detected.

  3. Absolute thresholds are the minimum amount of a stimulus that can be detected, while difference thresholds are the minimum amount of change in a stimulus that can be detected.

  4. Absolute thresholds are the maximum amount of a stimulus that can be detected, while difference thresholds are the maximum amount of change in a stimulus that can be detected.


Correct Option: A,C
Explanation:

Absolute thresholds are the minimum amount of a stimulus that can be detected, while difference thresholds are the minimum amount of change in a stimulus that can be detected. Absolute thresholds are important for determining the sensitivity of a sensory system, while difference thresholds are important for determining the ability of a sensory system to discriminate between different stimuli.

What is the signal detection theory?

  1. A theory that describes how people make decisions in the presence of noise.

  2. A theory that describes how people learn new information.

  3. A theory that describes how people remember information.

  4. A theory that describes how people solve problems.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The signal detection theory is a theory that describes how people make decisions in the presence of noise. The theory assumes that people have a criterion level of evidence that they must reach in order to make a decision. If the evidence exceeds the criterion level, the person will make a correct decision. If the evidence does not exceed the criterion level, the person will make an incorrect decision.

What is the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve?

  1. A graph that plots the hit rate against the false alarm rate for a given signal detection task.

  2. A graph that plots the sensitivity against the specificity for a given signal detection task.

  3. A graph that plots the positive predictive value against the negative predictive value for a given signal detection task.

  4. A graph that plots the likelihood ratio against the odds ratio for a given signal detection task.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The ROC curve is a graph that plots the hit rate against the false alarm rate for a given signal detection task. The hit rate is the proportion of correct detections, while the false alarm rate is the proportion of incorrect detections. The ROC curve can be used to evaluate the performance of a signal detection system.

What is the decision-making process?

  1. The process of choosing between two or more alternatives.

  2. The process of learning new information.

  3. The process of remembering information.

  4. The process of solving problems.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The decision-making process is the process of choosing between two or more alternatives. The process involves gathering information, evaluating the alternatives, and making a choice. Decision-making is a complex process that is influenced by a variety of factors, including the individual's goals, values, and beliefs.

What are the two main types of decision-making?

  1. Rational decision-making and intuitive decision-making.

  2. Analytical decision-making and heuristic decision-making.

  3. Programmed decision-making and non-programmed decision-making.

  4. Strategic decision-making and tactical decision-making.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The two main types of decision-making are rational decision-making and intuitive decision-making. Rational decision-making is a deliberate, logical process that involves gathering information, evaluating the alternatives, and making a choice. Intuitive decision-making is a quick, automatic process that is based on gut feeling or instinct.

What is the expected value of a decision?

  1. The average outcome of a decision.

  2. The most likely outcome of a decision.

  3. The best possible outcome of a decision.

  4. The worst possible outcome of a decision.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The expected value of a decision is the average outcome of the decision. It is calculated by multiplying each possible outcome by its probability and then summing the results. The expected value is a useful tool for making decisions because it allows you to compare the different options and choose the one that is most likely to lead to a favorable outcome.

What is the risk-aversion coefficient?

  1. A measure of an individual's willingness to take risks.

  2. A measure of an individual's ability to tolerate uncertainty.

  3. A measure of an individual's level of optimism.

  4. A measure of an individual's level of pessimism.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The risk-aversion coefficient is a measure of an individual's willingness to take risks. It is calculated by dividing the expected value of a risky option by the expected value of a safe option. A risk-averse individual will have a risk-aversion coefficient greater than 1, while a risk-seeking individual will have a risk-aversion coefficient less than 1.

What is the framing effect?

  1. The tendency for people to make different decisions depending on how the options are presented.

  2. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their emotions rather than on logic.

  3. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their past experiences rather than on new information.

  4. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their beliefs rather than on facts.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The framing effect is the tendency for people to make different decisions depending on how the options are presented. For example, people are more likely to choose a risky option if it is presented as a gain rather than a loss. The framing effect is a powerful bias that can lead people to make poor decisions.

What is the anchoring bias?

  1. The tendency for people to rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive.

  2. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their emotions rather than on logic.

  3. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their past experiences rather than on new information.

  4. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their beliefs rather than on facts.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The anchoring bias is the tendency for people to rely too heavily on the first piece of information they receive. For example, if someone is told that a product is expensive, they are more likely to believe that it is actually expensive, even if it is not. The anchoring bias can lead people to make poor decisions because they are not considering all of the available information.

What is the availability heuristic?

  1. The tendency for people to judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily they can remember examples of the event.

  2. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their emotions rather than on logic.

  3. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their past experiences rather than on new information.

  4. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their beliefs rather than on facts.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The availability heuristic is the tendency for people to judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily they can remember examples of the event. For example, people are more likely to believe that a disease is common if they can easily remember examples of people who have had the disease. The availability heuristic can lead people to make poor decisions because they are not considering all of the available information.

What is the representativeness heuristic?

  1. The tendency for people to judge the likelihood of an event based on how similar it is to other events that they have experienced.

  2. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their emotions rather than on logic.

  3. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their past experiences rather than on new information.

  4. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their beliefs rather than on facts.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The representativeness heuristic is the tendency for people to judge the likelihood of an event based on how similar it is to other events that they have experienced. For example, people are more likely to believe that a person is a criminal if they look like a criminal. The representativeness heuristic can lead people to make poor decisions because they are not considering all of the available information.

What is the confirmation bias?

  1. The tendency for people to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs.

  2. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their emotions rather than on logic.

  3. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their past experiences rather than on new information.

  4. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their beliefs rather than on facts.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The confirmation bias is the tendency for people to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs. For example, if someone believes that a particular stock is going to go up in value, they are more likely to seek out information that supports this belief and ignore information that contradicts it. The confirmation bias can lead people to make poor decisions because they are not considering all of the available information.

What is the hindsight bias?

  1. The tendency for people to believe that they could have predicted an event after it has already happened.

  2. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their emotions rather than on logic.

  3. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their past experiences rather than on new information.

  4. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their beliefs rather than on facts.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The hindsight bias is the tendency for people to believe that they could have predicted an event after it has already happened. For example, after a stock market crash, people are more likely to say that they knew it was going to happen, even though they did not actually predict it. The hindsight bias can lead people to make poor decisions because they are overconfident in their ability to predict the future.

What is the illusion of control?

  1. The tendency for people to believe that they have more control over events than they actually do.

  2. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their emotions rather than on logic.

  3. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their past experiences rather than on new information.

  4. The tendency for people to make decisions based on their beliefs rather than on facts.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The illusion of control is the tendency for people to believe that they have more control over events than they actually do. For example, people are more likely to gamble if they believe that they have a lucky charm. The illusion of control can lead people to make poor decisions because they are overconfident in their ability to control the outcome of events.

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