Vera Has a Large Color Vocabulary and Knows, for Example

question 43

Multiple Choice

Vera has a large color vocabulary and knows, for example, words that allow her to name a dozen different shades of green. Laura has a much narrower color vocabulary and knows only the basic color terms (e.g., "red," "green," "yellow") . If we test Vera's and Laura's ability to remember specific colors, we are likely to find that:

• A) Vera will be more successful in a color-memory task
• B) Laura will be more successful in a color-memory task
• C) these two individuals will not differ in their color memory
• D) Vera will have a better color memory, but this reflects her advantage in perceiving colors and not a genuine memory advantage

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Definitions:

Rational Behavior

Human behavior based on comparison of marginal costs and marginal benefits; behavior designed to maximize total utility. See rational.

Cognitive Biases

Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, whereby inferences about other people and situations may be drawn in an illogical fashion.

Behavioral Economists

Experts in a field of economics that combines insights from psychology to understand how people make economic decisions.

Faulty Heuristics

Cognitive shortcuts that lead to errors in judgment or decision-making due to biases or flawed logic.