In cognitive psychology, the tendency for most students to overestimate their skill level and abilities when preparing for open book tests is best explained by which cognitive bias?

• A. The availability heuristic
• B. The Dunning-Kruger effect
• C. Anchoring bias
• D. Confirmation bias

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the problem context, which involves students overestimating their abilities during preparation for open book tests.
2. Step 2: Review the definitions of the cognitive biases listed: the availability heuristic, anchoring bias, confirmation bias, and the Dunning-Kruger effect.
3. Step 3: Recognize that the availability heuristic involves judging the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind, which is not directly about self-assessment accuracy.
4. Step 4: Understand that anchoring bias refers to relying too heavily on an initial piece of information when making decisions, which does not explain overestimating one's skill level.
5. Step 5: Identify that the Dunning-Kruger effect describes a cognitive bias where individuals with low ability at a task overestimate their ability, making it the best explanation for students overestimating their skills.