IB Psychology SL 3.4.1 Cognitive Biases Questions

Refer to the paper 1 section A markbands when awarding marks.
The command term "describe" requires candidates to give a detailed account of one study investigating biases in thinking and decision-making on human behaviour.

Candidate responses should include information related to the aim, procedure, findings, and conclusion(s) of the study. Information relevant to a description includes, but is not limited to:
- the aim of the study is linked to a cognitive bias.
- a description of the research method used
- description of the design and identification of the IV and DV of an experiment.
- use of terminology to classify an observation (e.g. covert, participant, naturalistic) or an interview (structured, semi-structured, focus group)
- description of the use of triangulation in a case study
- identification of the sample that was used;
however, precise sample sizes are not required
- controls used by the researcher
- materials used in the study
- the conclusions drawn from the findings with regard to a bias. Candidates do not need to state the statistical results

Relevant studies may include, but are not limited to:
- Anchoring bias: Englisch and Mussweiler (2001), Tversky and Kahnemann (1974)
- Availability heuristic: Tversky and Kahneman (1973) - participants recalled more famous names than non-famous names as they were more readily 'available' in their memory.
- Confirmation bias: Wason (1960), Chapman (1969), Stone(1997), Darley and Gross(1983).
- Framing effect: Tversky and Kahnemann (1986)
- Halo effect: Dion et al (1972), Zebrowitz and McDonald (1991)
- Illusory correlation: Hamilton and Gifford (1976), Snyder and Swann (1978)
- Matching bias: Wason (1968), Cox and Griggs (1982) - participants use the language of the rule to choose which cards to turn over.
- Representativeness heuristic: Tversky and Kahnemann (1973).

If a candidate addresses one bias in thinking and decision-making but does not describe a study, award up to a maximum of [3].

If a candidate describes more than one study, credit should be given only for the first description.