The Monty Hall Dilemma: A Cognitive Illusion Par Excellence

A cognitive illusion occurs when the obvious answer to a thought question turns out to be incorrect. Psychological reality conflicts with objective reality. The Monty Hall Dilemma is a cognitive illusion par excellence originating in the "Let's Make a Deal" television game show in which a contestant selects one of three doors hoping that it hides the grand prize (like a new car ). After an initial guess has been made, host Monty Hall reveals a consolation prize (like a goat ) behind one of the other doors. The contestant's dilemma is whether to stay with the first choice or switch to the remaining unchosen door. Popular PARADE magazine columnist, Marilyn vos Savant, writing about the Monty Hall dilemma, received thousands of letters from readers most of whom contested her surprising solution to this dilemma. Knowing about cognitive illusions in general (several are presented here) and the Monty Hall Dilemma in particular should alert readers to the possibility that ordinary reasoning and common sense don't always apply even though people have a tendency to stick with their initial hunches.

Author: Donald Granberg
Publisher: Lumad Publishing
Published: 12/09/2014
Pages: 218
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.66lbs
Size: 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.46d
ISBN: 9780996100809

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/0001
Kirkus Reviews 04/01/2016

About the Author
Donald Granberg obtained his BA in psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College and his PhD in sociology from The Pennsylvania State University. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Göteborg in Sweden. He served on the faculty at the University of Missouri for thirty-four years. He co-authored The Political System Matters: Social Psychology and Voting Behavior in Sweden and the United States and A Most Human Enterprise: Controversies in the Social Sciences and co-edited Social Judgment and Intergroup Relations: Essays in Honor of Muzafer Sherif.

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