Literary Terms
Random
Biases
Bias Scenarios
Name that streamer
100
What is the term for a comparison using "like" or "as"?
simile
100
What is the name of the largest ocean on Earth?
Pacific ocean
100
What is the tendency to seek out information that supports our preexisting beliefs while ignoring contradicting evidence?
Cognitive Bias
100
You see a viral video of someone winning the lottery and start thinking it must be easier than you originally thought.
survivorship bias
100
Ninja
200
What is the technique of repeating the same sound at the beginning of words in a phrase or sentence?
alliteration
200
What is the term for an animal that is active during the day and sleeps during the night?
diurnal
200
What bias causes people to think they are being watched or judged more than they actually are?
Spotlight effect
200
You buy a ticket to a movie, but halfway through, you realize it’s terrible. Instead of leaving, you stay because you already spent money on it.
sunk-cost fallacy
200
ishowspeed
300
What is the term for a statement that contradicts itself but may still hold truth? (e.g., "Less is more.")
paradox
300
What is the term for a word or phrase that reads the same forward and backward?
palindrome
300
What cognitive bias causes people to think rare, dramatic events (like shark attacks) are more common than they really are?
Availability heuristic
300
You overhear a group talking about a book you weren’t interested in. Since they all love it, you decide to read it too.
bandwagon effect
300
DanTDM
400
What is the term for an indirect reference to something well-known, such as mythology, history, or literature?
allusion
400
What is the only planet in the solar system that rotates on its side?
Uranus
400
What is the name of the phenomenon where people believe vague personality descriptions (like horoscopes) apply specifically to them?
Barnum (Forer effect)
400
A student is about to take a math test. Before the test, their friend tells them, “This test is super hard—everyone fails.” Because of this, they expect to fail and put in less effort. Then, after the test, they do poorly and think, “See? I knew I was bad at math.”
Anchoring Bias + The Golem Effect + Confirmation Bias
(They were influenced by their friend's statement (anchoring), fulfilled a negative expectation (Golem Effect), and reinforced their belief (confirmation bias).)
400
SSSniperwolf
500
That person is such a fox, no wonder the boss likes them so much. (This is an example of what kind of literary device?)
metaphor
500
What is the fear of heights called?
acrophobia
500
When someone assumes their success is due to their abilities but attributes others' success to external factors, what bias is at play?
actor-observer bias
500
A group of investors all believe that a particular stock will skyrocket, even though there is no evidence supporting it. They keep reinforcing each other’s opinions, avoiding any negative reports. When the stock crashes, they still refuse to admit they were wrong, instead blaming external forces.
Groupthink + Confirmation Bias + Sunk Cost Fallacy
(They ignore contrary information due to groupthink, seek only supporting evidence (confirmation bias), and refuse to sell the stock because they’ve already invested so much (sunk cost fallacy).)
500
Fanum
600
What is the term for an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally?
Hyperbole
600
What is the only sport where players seem to get a little taller over time?
Swimming due to water reducing the effects of gravity. Swimming also elongates the spine slightly.
600
When someone assumes their success is due to their abilities but attributes others' success to external factors, what bias is at play?
Dunning Kruger effect
600
A person tries on a $1,000 designer jacket. The salesperson first shows them a $5,000 jacket, making the $1,000 one seem “affordable.” Later, when the person wears the jacket, they feel it makes them look more attractive and competent, even though it’s just clothing.
Anchoring Bias + The Halo Effect + The Endowment Effect
(The initial $5,000 price made the $1,000 jacket seem cheap (anchoring bias), they assume the jacket makes them more competent (halo effect), and they overvalue it because they now own it (endowment effect).)
600
ironmouse
700
This technique is used to soften words that are considered harsh. (My great-grandfather passed away)
Euphemism
700
How many countries have table tennis as an official national sport?
1 (China)
700
When people believe the world is inherently fair and that bad things only happen to those who deserve them, what fallacy are they experiencing?
Just World fallacy
700
A scientist presents clear evidence that a common belief is incorrect. Instead of accepting the evidence, people double down, claiming that the scientist is biased and part of a conspiracy. Later, an influencer repeats the incorrect belief, and because they are charismatic, people accept their words as fact.
Backfire Effect + Ad Hominem Fallacy + The Halo Effect
(People reject evidence and strengthen their belief (backfire effect), attack the scientist instead of the argument (ad hominem), and trust the influencer simply because they are charismatic (halo effect).)
700
nyanners
800
That person is such a fox, no wonder the boss likes them so much. (Is an example of what kind of literary device?)
Connotation
800
A certain species of this animal is the only one considered to be biologically immortal.
The jellyfish. It can return to its baby (polyp) stage and regrow again.
800
When people expect something to happen, and their belief actually influences the outcome, what effect is this?
Pygmalion effect
800
A student forgets to study and does poorly on a test. They blame the teacher for being unfair. Later, they read an article about “bad teachers ruining schools” and use it as proof that their failure wasn’t their fault. That same night, they see a rumor about a celebrity they dislike and instantly believe it, but when they see a similar rumor about their favorite celebrity, they dismiss it.
Actor-Observer Bias + Confirmation Bias + Negativity Bias
(They blame the teacher but wouldn’t blame themselves (actor-observer bias), seek evidence that supports their belief (confirmation bias), and remember negative information more strongly than positive (negativity bias).)
800
Niko avocado