POSC 2601 MIDTERM 1 CHAPTER 4:
FOREIGN POLICY QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS!!
What are the flaws of the rational choice (i.e. rational actor) model? -
ANSWERActors have multiple goals or interests
Actors may be indifferent on preferences or outcomes
Actors may be uncertain of the costs and benefits
Actors have imperfect Information
Actors are not in fact rational
Impact of biases and constraints
Affective bias refers to the emotions felt by decision makers when they consider the
consequences of _______
A) existing policy
B) the actions of others
C) their own actions
D) low-level staff - ANSWERC) their own actions
According to the concept of bounded rationality, decision makers _______
A) will choose the best response to a situation (i.e. optimizing)
B) will choose an option that is good enough to meet some minimal criteria (i.e.
satisficing)
C) use historical analogies in responding to a situation
D) make choices within the boundaries established by groups within the government
- ANSWERB) will choose an option that is good enough to meet some minimal
criteria (i.e. satisficing)
Justification of effort, wishful thinking, mirror images, and historical analogies are
examples of ______?
A) Affective Bias
B) Cognitive Bias
C) Information Screens
D) Time Constraints - ANSWERB) Cognitive Bias
Cognitive bias refers to limitations of the human brain in making choices
Justification of effort - ANSWERdecision makers tend to place greater value on the
goals that they put a lot of effort into, even if those goals are failing
Wishful thinking - ANSWERactors overestimate the likelihood of achieving an
outcome
Mirror Image - ANSWERtwo actors view the other in a similar way
Historical analogies - ANSWERreference to past situations as shortcuts (see
Vietnam Syndrome)
FOREIGN POLICY QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS!!
What are the flaws of the rational choice (i.e. rational actor) model? -
ANSWERActors have multiple goals or interests
Actors may be indifferent on preferences or outcomes
Actors may be uncertain of the costs and benefits
Actors have imperfect Information
Actors are not in fact rational
Impact of biases and constraints
Affective bias refers to the emotions felt by decision makers when they consider the
consequences of _______
A) existing policy
B) the actions of others
C) their own actions
D) low-level staff - ANSWERC) their own actions
According to the concept of bounded rationality, decision makers _______
A) will choose the best response to a situation (i.e. optimizing)
B) will choose an option that is good enough to meet some minimal criteria (i.e.
satisficing)
C) use historical analogies in responding to a situation
D) make choices within the boundaries established by groups within the government
- ANSWERB) will choose an option that is good enough to meet some minimal
criteria (i.e. satisficing)
Justification of effort, wishful thinking, mirror images, and historical analogies are
examples of ______?
A) Affective Bias
B) Cognitive Bias
C) Information Screens
D) Time Constraints - ANSWERB) Cognitive Bias
Cognitive bias refers to limitations of the human brain in making choices
Justification of effort - ANSWERdecision makers tend to place greater value on the
goals that they put a lot of effort into, even if those goals are failing
Wishful thinking - ANSWERactors overestimate the likelihood of achieving an
outcome
Mirror Image - ANSWERtwo actors view the other in a similar way
Historical analogies - ANSWERreference to past situations as shortcuts (see
Vietnam Syndrome)
