Question 1

In what ways does self-perception theory fall short in explaining the relationship between attitudes and behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Self-perception theory argues that people infer their attitudes from observing their own behaviors. When a behavior occurs, people do not experience a negative arousal state (i.e., cognitive dissonance); rather, they engage in a rational inference process. They do not change their attitudes but infer what their attitudes must be by observing their behaviors. Research has found, however, that people indeed experience a negative arousal state when their attitudes and behaviors are inconsistent, particularly when their attitudes are clear and important. Thus, researchers have concluded that self-perception processes are only invoked when attitudes are vague or unimportant.

Question 2

George listens to music while studying for his biology test. While he studies, he nods his head in time to the music. Over time, George realizes he likes biology a lot more than he initially did. Why is this?

Accepted Answer

A)  George's nonverbal head nods to the music while studying biology were an indication of approval that he then associated with the subject. 
B)  It is because George put so much effort into studying. 
C)  George's nonverbal head nods to the music while studying biology served a self-verification function. 
D)  The nonverbal head nods induced dissonance. 
A)  George's nonverbal head nods to the music while studying biology were an indication of approval that he then associated with the subject. 
B)  It is because George put so much effort into studying. 
C)  George's nonverbal head nods to the music while studying biology served a self-verification function. 
D)  The nonverbal head nods induced dissonance. A

Question 3

Recall that in one study, the experimenter showed children a set of five toys and asked them how much they liked each one. Then the experimenter told each child that he or she was free to play with any of the toys except for the child's second favorite toy. In the "mild threat" condition, children were told that the experimenter would be "annoyed" if they played with the forbidden toy. In the "severe threat" condition, children were told that the experimenter would be "very angry" if they played with the forbidden toy, and that the child would never see any of the toys ever again. The experimenter then left the room, and each child was covertly observed. Later on, the experimenter asked each child to reevaluate the toys. Consistent with cognitive dissonance theory, results showed that children in the

Accepted Answer

A)  "mild threat" condition tended to view the toy less favorably than children in the "severe threat" condition. 
B)  "severe threat" condition tended to view the toy less favorably than children in the "mild threat" condition. 
C)  "mild threat" condition were less likely to play with the toy while the experimenter was away from the room. 
D)  "severe threat" condition were less likely to play with the toy while the experimenter was away from the room. 
A)  "mild threat" condition tended to view the toy less favorably than children in the "severe threat" condition. 
B)  "severe threat" condition tended to view the toy less favorably than children in the "mild threat" condition. 
C)  "mild threat" condition were less likely to play with the toy while the experimenter was away from the room. 
D)  "severe threat" condition were less likely to play with the toy while the experimenter was away from the room. A

Question 4

Describe the basics of terror management theory. Describe two situations in which this theory might be useful in explaining people's attitudes or behaviors.

Accepted Answer

Terror management theory argues that peo

Question 5

Consider the following saying: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." According to cognitive dissonance theory, trying again should ________ how much you value the outcome of your efforts.

Accepted Answer

A)  increase 
B)  decrease 
C)  not affect 
D)  increase confusion over 
A)  increase 
B)  decrease 
C)  not affect 
D)  increase confusion over

Question 6

If engaging in a behavior inconsistent with an attitude ________, East Asians are ________ likely to experience cognitive dissonance than Westerners.

Accepted Answer

A)  when alone; more 
B)  when alone; less 
C)  when tired; more 
D)  when tired; less 
A)  when alone; more 
B)  when alone; less 
C)  when tired; more 
D)  when tired; less

Question 7

Which of the following studies best supports Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  a study showing that voters express more support for their candidate right before voting than they do right after voting 
B)  a study showing that people value academic achievement more strongly after reading education-related words than after reading sports-related words 
C)  a study showing that people express more confidence in a bet right after making it than they do right before making it 
D)  a study showing that introspection leads to less attitude-behavior consistency than does an absence of introspection 
A)  a study showing that voters express more support for their candidate right before voting than they do right after voting 
B)  a study showing that people value academic achievement more strongly after reading education-related words than after reading sports-related words 
C)  a study showing that people express more confidence in a bet right after making it than they do right before making it 
D)  a study showing that introspection leads to less attitude-behavior consistency than does an absence of introspection

Question 8

According to research by Wilson and colleagues, why might introspecting about the reasons for an attitude decrease the association between the attitude and behavior?

Accepted Answer

A)  Introspection decreases perceptions of control and attention to social norms. 
B)  Introspection misleads us about our "real" attitudes. 
C)  Introspection generates emotions that weaken one's attitudes. 
D)  Introspection increases ambivalence and uncertainty over our beliefs. 
A)  Introspection decreases perceptions of control and attention to social norms. 
B)  Introspection misleads us about our "real" attitudes. 
C)  Introspection generates emotions that weaken one's attitudes. 
D)  Introspection increases ambivalence and uncertainty over our beliefs.

Question 9

Self-perception processes are most likely to occur when prior attitudes are

Accepted Answer

A)  weak. 
B)  about extremely important matters. 
C)  unambiguous. 
D)  Both a and c are correct. 
A)  weak. 
B)  about extremely important matters. 
C)  unambiguous. 
D)  Both a and c are correct.

Question 10

Molly knows the history of her home city of Philadelphia. There are three landmarks downtown that she always shows to friends who visit. This knowledge of Philadelphia is the ________ component of her attitude toward her city.

Accepted Answer

A)  cognitive 
B)  affective 
C)  behavioral 
D)  knowledge 
A)  cognitive 
B)  affective 
C)  behavioral 
D)  knowledge

Question 11

Ruben, a marketing executive for Apple, wants to predict a person's iPod-related behavior from his or her attitude about iPods. To this end, Ruben will administer a survey asking people their attitudes about iPods. Two years later, he will ask these same people to report on their behavior related to iPods. According to research on attitude-behavior consistency, Ruben should measure people's attitudes and behavior at the same level of specificity. Which of the following pairs of questions best satisfies this criterion?

Accepted Answer

A)  "How positively do you feel about iPods?" and "Have you used an iPod in the last month?" 
B)  "How do you feel about iPods?" and "Have you used an iPod in the last two years?" 
C)  "How much do you want to buy an iPod within the next two years?" and "Have you bought an iPod in the last two years?" 
D)  "How negative do you feel about iPods?" and "How much have you talked about iPods in the last month?" 
A)  "How positively do you feel about iPods?" and "Have you used an iPod in the last month?" 
B)  "How do you feel about iPods?" and "Have you used an iPod in the last two years?" 
C)  "How much do you want to buy an iPod within the next two years?" and "Have you bought an iPod in the last two years?" 
D)  "How negative do you feel about iPods?" and "How much have you talked about iPods in the last month?"

Question 12

Describe system justification theory. What common observations seem to support this perspective?

Accepted Answer

System justification theory states that

Question 13

The self-perception processes posited by Daryl Bem are particularly likely to be invoked when

Accepted Answer

A)  behavior is inconsistent with attitudes that are relatively vague. 
B)  behavior is inconsistent with attitudes that are highly resistant to persuasion attempts. 
C)  attitudes are inconsistent with behaviors that are valued by the culture in which one lives. 
D)  attitudes are inconsistent with behaviors that people rarely perform in everyday life. 
A)  behavior is inconsistent with attitudes that are relatively vague. 
B)  behavior is inconsistent with attitudes that are highly resistant to persuasion attempts. 
C)  attitudes are inconsistent with behaviors that are valued by the culture in which one lives. 
D)  attitudes are inconsistent with behaviors that people rarely perform in everyday life.

Question 14

Recall that Wilson and his colleagues asked students about their current romantic relationships. Participants in Group 1 were asked for an overall evaluation of their relationships, whereas partici- pants in Group 2 were additionally asked to explain why they felt the way they did. Nearly nine months later, the researchers recontacted the participants and asked them about the current status of the relationships. Which of the following statements most accurately captures the study's results?

Accepted Answer

A)  The attitudes of Group 1 participants better predicted current relationship status than the attitudes of Group 2 participants. 
B)  The attitudes of Group 2 participants better predicted current relationship status than the attitudes of Group 1 participants. 
C)  The attitudes of Group 1 participants were much more positive than those of Group 2 participants. 
D)  The attitudes of Group 2 participants were much more positive than those of Group 1 participants. 
A)  The attitudes of Group 1 participants better predicted current relationship status than the attitudes of Group 2 participants. 
B)  The attitudes of Group 2 participants better predicted current relationship status than the attitudes of Group 1 participants. 
C)  The attitudes of Group 1 participants were much more positive than those of Group 2 participants. 
D)  The attitudes of Group 2 participants were much more positive than those of Group 1 participants.

Question 15

The ________ component of an attitude consists of the degree to which the person likes or dislikes the attitude object.

Accepted Answer

A)  cognitive 
B)  affective 
C)  behavioral 
D)  knowledge 
A)  cognitive 
B)  affective 
C)  behavioral 
D)  knowledge

Question 16

When a person takes stock of his or her strengths and accomplishments he or she is engaging in ________ , which ________ the experience of cognitive dissonance.

Accepted Answer

A)  system justification; increases 
B)  system justification; decreases 
C)  self-affirmation; increases 
D)  self-affirmation; decreases 
A)  system justification; increases 
B)  system justification; decreases 
C)  self-affirmation; increases 
D)  self-affirmation; decreases

Question 17

________ theory states that people are motivated to see the existing sociopolitical setup as fair, desirable, and legitimate.

Accepted Answer

A)  System justification 
B)  Terror management 
C)  Cognitive dissonance 
D)  Self-perception 
A)  System justification 
B)  Terror management 
C)  Cognitive dissonance 
D)  Self-perception

Question 18

Describe the relationship between introspection and attitudes. Why might introspecting lead an individual to misconstrue his or her attitudes?

Accepted Answer

It is often difficult to explain the rea

Question 19

Compare and contrast Leon Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory with Daryl Bem's self-perception theory.

Accepted Answer

Both cognitive dissonance theory and sel

Question 20

According to what you learned in this chapter, ________ attitudes tend to be stronger than ________ attitudes.

Accepted Answer

A)  new; old 
B)  old; new 
C)  negative; positive 
D)  positive; negative 
A)  new; old 
B)  old; new 
C)  negative; positive 
D)  positive; negative

In what ways does self-perception theory fall short in explaining the relationship between attitudes and behaviors?

George listens to music while studying for his biology test. While he studies, he nods his head in time to the music. Over time, George realizes he likes biology a lot more than he initially did. Why is this?

Describe the basics of terror management theory. Describe two situations in which this theory might be useful in explaining people's attitudes or behaviors.

Consider the following saying: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." According to cognitive dissonance theory, trying again should ________ how much you value the outcome of your efforts.

If engaging in a behavior inconsistent with an attitude , East Asians are likely to experience cognitive dissonance than Westerners.

Which of the following studies best supports Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory?

According to research by Wilson and colleagues, why might introspecting about the reasons for an attitude decrease the association between the attitude and behavior?

Self-perception processes are most likely to occur when prior attitudes are

Molly knows the history of her home city of Philadelphia. There are three landmarks downtown that she always shows to friends who visit. This knowledge of Philadelphia is the ________ component of her attitude toward her city.

Describe system justification theory. What common observations seem to support this perspective?

The self-perception processes posited by Daryl Bem are particularly likely to be invoked when

The ________ component of an attitude consists of the degree to which the person likes or dislikes the attitude object.

When a person takes stock of his or her strengths and accomplishments he or she is engaging in , which the experience of cognitive dissonance.

________ theory states that people are motivated to see the existing sociopolitical setup as fair, desirable, and legitimate.

Describe the relationship between introspection and attitudes. Why might introspecting lead an individual to misconstrue his or her attitudes?

Compare and contrast Leon Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory with Daryl Bem's self-perception theory.

According to what you learned in this chapter, attitudes tend to be stronger than attitudes.

An Invitation to Social Psychology

The Methods of Social Psychology

The Social Self

Social Cognition: Thinking About People and Situations

Social Attribution: Explaining Behavior

Emotion

Persuasion

Social Influence

Relationships and Attraction

Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Groups

Aggression

Altruism and Cooperation

Application Module-Social Psychology and Health

Application Module- Social Psychology and Personal Finance

Application Module- Social Psychology and Education

Application Module- Social Psychology and the Law

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Exam 7: Attitudes, Behavior, and Rationalization

In what ways does self-perception theory fall short in explaining the relationship between attitudes and behaviors?

George listens to music while studying for his biology test. While he studies, he nods his head in time to the music. Over time, George realizes he likes biology a lot more than he initially did. Why is this?

Describe the basics of terror management theory. Describe two situations in which this theory might be useful in explaining people's attitudes or behaviors.

Consider the following saying: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." According to cognitive dissonance theory, trying again should ________ how much you value the outcome of your efforts.

If engaging in a behavior inconsistent with an attitude ________, East Asians are ________ likely to experience cognitive dissonance than Westerners.

Which of the following studies best supports Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory?

According to research by Wilson and colleagues, why might introspecting about the reasons for an attitude decrease the association between the attitude and behavior?

Self-perception processes are most likely to occur when prior attitudes are

Molly knows the history of her home city of Philadelphia. There are three landmarks downtown that she always shows to friends who visit. This knowledge of Philadelphia is the ________ component of her attitude toward her city.

Describe system justification theory. What common observations seem to support this perspective?

The self-perception processes posited by Daryl Bem are particularly likely to be invoked when

The ________ component of an attitude consists of the degree to which the person likes or dislikes the attitude object.

When a person takes stock of his or her strengths and accomplishments he or she is engaging in ________ , which ________ the experience of cognitive dissonance.

________ theory states that people are motivated to see the existing sociopolitical setup as fair, desirable, and legitimate.

Describe the relationship between introspection and attitudes. Why might introspecting lead an individual to misconstrue his or her attitudes?

Compare and contrast Leon Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory with Daryl Bem's self-perception theory.

According to what you learned in this chapter, ________ attitudes tend to be stronger than ________ attitudes.

An Invitation to Social Psychology

The Methods of Social Psychology

The Social Self

Social Cognition: Thinking About People and Situations

Social Attribution: Explaining Behavior

Emotion

Persuasion

Social Influence

Relationships and Attraction

Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Groups

Aggression

Altruism and Cooperation

Application Module-Social Psychology and Health

Application Module- Social Psychology and Personal Finance

Application Module- Social Psychology and Education

Application Module- Social Psychology and the Law

Filters

If engaging in a behavior inconsistent with an attitude , East Asians are likely to experience cognitive dissonance than Westerners.

When a person takes stock of his or her strengths and accomplishments he or she is engaging in , which the experience of cognitive dissonance.

According to what you learned in this chapter, attitudes tend to be stronger than attitudes.