Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Bias in Reasoning

Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Anchoring bias

Answer

Selection bias

Answer

Attribution bias

Question 2

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?

Accepted Answer

Selection bias

Answer

Anchoring bias

Answer

Hindsight bias

Answer

Framing effect

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

Anchoring bias

Answer

Availability heuristic

Answer

Framing effect

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Framing effect

Answer

Hindsight bias

Question 5

A politician states: 'Either you support this bill entirely, or you are against economic progress.' Which form of biased reasoning does this statement exemplify?

Accepted Answer

False dichotomy

Answer

Straw man fallacy

Answer

Ad hominem

Answer

Circular reasoning

Question 6

A person argues that a herbal supplement is safe because 'natural things cannot be harmful.' Which type of reasoning error is present?

Accepted Answer

Appeal to nature fallacy

Answer

Hasty generalization

Answer

Post hoc reasoning

Answer

Anchoring bias

Question 7

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?

Accepted Answer

Anecdotal evidence used to make a hasty generalization

Answer

Post hoc reasoning

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Framing effect