Bias Identification Quiz
Objective:
To test your ability to recognize and understand key cognitive biases that often affect executive decision-making.
Instructions:
For each of the 10 scenarios, choose the bias that best explains the thinking error. Afterward, reflect on where this bias might appear in your own leadership or organization.
1. A project continues receiving funding despite repeated delays and cost overruns. The team insists that “we’ve already invested too much to stop now.”
Which bias is at play?
a) Anchoring Bias
b) Sunk Cost Fallacy
c) Overconfidence Bias
d) Framing Effect
Correct Answer: b) Sunk Cost Fallacy
2. During a planning meeting, the team only discusses information that supports their initial proposal, ignoring conflicting data.
Which bias is at play?
a) Availability Heuristic
b) Loss Aversion
c) Confirmation Bias
d) Hindsight Bias
Correct Answer: c) Confirmation Bias
3. A CEO estimates market growth based on the last quarter’s performance, without considering broader trends or seasonal factors.
Which bias is at play?
a) Representativeness Bias
b) Anchoring Bias
c) Recency Bias
d) Availability Heuristic
Correct Answer: c) Recency Bias
4. After a poor hiring decision, a manager claims they “knew it wouldn’t work out” all along.
Which bias is at play?
a) Hindsight Bias
b) Sunk Cost Fallacy
c) Optimism Bias
d) Outcome Bias
Correct Answer: a) Hindsight Bias
5. A board quickly approves a proposal because the chairperson is enthusiastic, and no one wants to challenge their view.
Which bias is at play?
a) Groupthink
b) Status Quo Bias
c) Authority Bias
d) Loss Aversion
Correct Answer: a) Groupthink
6. A leader refuses to change a flawed strategy because “this is how we’ve always done it.”
Which bias is at play?
a) Status Quo Bias
b) Availability Heuristic
c) Framing Effect
d) Escalation of Commitment
Correct Answer: a) Status Quo Bias
7. A team downplays the risk of a new technology rollout after hearing that “everyone in the industry is doing it.”
Which bias is at play?
a) Bandwagon Effect
b) Confirmation Bias
c) Optimism Bias
d) Outcome Bias
Correct Answer: a) Bandwagon Effect
8. An executive puts disproportionate weight on the first revenue forecast they hear, even when later projections suggest otherwise.
Which bias is at play?
a) Anchoring Bias
b) Framing Effect
c) Availability Heuristic
d) Outcome Bias
Correct Answer: a) Anchoring Bias
9. A manager believes their team's past success guarantees they’ll succeed again, even in a new, complex situation.
Which bias is at play?
a) Representativeness Bias
b) Overconfidence Bias
c) Optimism Bias
d) Confirmation Bias
Correct Answer: b) Overconfidence Bias
10. An investor places more emphasis on memorable, emotionally charged news stories when making financial decisions.
Which bias is at play?
a) Hindsight Bias
b) Framing Effect
c) Availability Heuristic
d) Anchoring Bias
Correct Answer: c) Availability Heuristic
Reflection Questions:
Which of these biases do you recognize in your own decision-making?
Which one is most common in your leadership team or organization?
What steps could you take to reduce the influence of these biases?