Are multiple-choice questions leading us to one-sided thinking?
Multiple-choice questions often have answers that are not option 'a'. But why is this and what does it reveal about our mental shortcuts and flawed decision-making?
When faced with multiple-choice questions, we often don't choose option 'a'. But why is that? BBC's 'CrowdScience' podcast presenter Alex Lathbridge tries to find the answer.
Listener Giffith from Ghana sent in the question after noticing that in 'Unexpected Elements' podcast multiple-choice questions, option 'a' was almost never the correct answer.
Alex Lathbridge, along with mathematician Kit Yates, explores how parts of our brain take mental shortcuts when making decisions and how this leads to flawed decision-making in probability and chance games.
He also delves into the world of games and gambling, where our intuition and instincts can sometimes lead us astray.
Rachel Croson, a University of Minnesota economics professor, explains how our brains can work against us.
But can being aware of these human flaws help us gain an edge? Alex Lathbridge talks to Maria Konnikova, who has researched poker psychology and has a successful gambling career.