AP Lang Vocabulary #1

Bandwagon Effect

also known as "herd mentality" or "groupthink"; describes the human tendency to make decisions on the basis of the majority opinion

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to view information in a way that validates our existing opinions and beliefs

Clustering Illusion

describes this human tendency to perceive patterns where no pattern exists

Framing Bias

when the same information is presented in different ways, we tend to respond differently depending on how the issue is presented; often become apparent when an individual is presented with 2 identical options that are described in different terms

Gambler's Fallacy

the mistake that occurs when people tend to believe that the results of a random events, like a coin toss, will affect the probability of future outcomes

Halo Effect

when we are exposed to a person who has one positive quality, like physical attractiveness, we are more likely to attribute other desirable traits to the individual

Illusory Superiority

describes the tendency to view oneself as superior to others; also known as the "better-than-average effect"

Self-Serving Bias

occurs when an individual claims an undue amount of credit for a positive situation or an inadequate amount of blame for a negative condition

Syllogism

begins by proposing a set of principles, then forming conclusions by making logical inferences from these principles. The conclusion of a properly formed deductive argument is a logical consequence of the premises (it must be true if the premises are true). The conclusion will not add any new information to the argument, and instead will simply combine the principles stated in the premises

Wishful Thinking

Refers to irrational optimism, an individual who experiences this cognitive bias will form conclusions based on idealized imagined outcomes, rather than objectively examining the evidence at hand

Example of Confirmation Bias

Ignoring any news report or opinion broadcasted by XYZ News because you usually disagree with the channel's commentaries

Example of Bandwagon Effect

assuming that Che Guevara was an admirable person, without first studying his historical legacy, because your friends wear T-shirts with his picture

Example of Wishful Thinking

feeling certain that you will win the lottery, despite the fact that your chance of winning is less than one in a million

Example of Framing Bias

preferring a glass that's described as "half full" to one that is "half empty", or thinking that a gallon of ice cream sounds more appealing than four quarts

Example of Clustering Illusion

assuming that there is a relationship between weather patterns and days of the week because it has rained every Saturday for the past month

Example of Gambler's Fallacy

the idea that lightning never strikes the same place twice

Example of Halo Effect

voting for the more attractive candidate because "he just seems more honest" than his opponent

Example of Illusory Superiority

believing that you are actually a much safer driver than most, despite your numerous accidents and speeding tickets

Example of Self-Serving Bias

taking credit for your daughter's good grades, while blaming her poor study habits on her teacher

Example of Syllogism

All teachers assign homework