Question 1

According to the authors of your text, what is one way people can begin to learn from their mistakes?

Accepted Answer

A) by adding new cognitions to justify their actions 
B) by changing their behavior in response to dissonance 
C) by recognizing the tendency to justify our actions 
D) by using denial and rationalization to cope with distress 
A) by adding new cognitions to justify their actions 
B) by changing their behavior in response to dissonance 
C) by recognizing the tendency to justify our actions 
D) by using denial and rationalization to cope with distress

Question 2

According to dissonance theorists, what is the problem with severe punishment to control behaviors? Severe punishment

Accepted Answer

A)  leads to frustration. 
B)  models inappropriate behavior that is then learned. 
C)  serves as an external justification for behavior change. 
D)  undermines extrinsic motivation. 
A)  leads to frustration. 
B)  models inappropriate behavior that is then learned. 
C)  serves as an external justification for behavior change. 
D)  undermines extrinsic motivation.

Question 3

As mentioned in the text, a Yale researcher (Cohen, 1962) paid some students relatively little and others relatively more to write an essay that contradicted their true beliefs about the local police.Results of his experiment demonstrated that

Accepted Answer

A)  students who were paid little were more willing to ride along with the police. 
B)  the greater the external justification, the greater the shift in participants' attitudes toward the police. 
C)  the size of the incentive changed students' attitudes only if they privately liked the police. 
D)  in the absence of large incentives, students changed their attitudes about the police. 
A)  students who were paid little were more willing to ride along with the police. 
B)  the greater the external justification, the greater the shift in participants' attitudes toward the police. 
C)  the size of the incentive changed students' attitudes only if they privately liked the police. 
D)  in the absence of large incentives, students changed their attitudes about the police.

Question 4

In a classic experiment, researchers (Aronson & Mettee, 1968) gave positive false feedback to some students, negative false feedback to some students, and no feedback to others.They were interested in seeing how self-esteem would affect the likelihood of cheating.What was the result of their experiment?

Accepted Answer

A) Students who had gotten the positive feedback were least likely to cheat. 
B) Students who had gotten the negative feedback were least likely to cheat. 
C) Students who had gotten no feedback were least likely to cheat. 
D) Students who had gotten the negative and no feedback were least likely to cheat. 
A) Students who had gotten the positive feedback were least likely to cheat. 
B) Students who had gotten the negative feedback were least likely to cheat. 
C) Students who had gotten no feedback were least likely to cheat. 
D) Students who had gotten the negative and no feedback were least likely to cheat.

Question 5

Lisa and Marcie have a really tough exam in anthropology.Both women are considering cheating on the exam.Based on what you read about cognitive dissonance, Lisa, who ________, is likely to later report that all cheaters should be punished severely, and Marcie, who ________, is likely to report that cheating really is no big deal because there are no victims.

Accepted Answer

A) cheated; did not cheat 
B) cheated; cheated 
C) did not cheat; cheated 
D) did not cheat; did not cheat 
A) cheated; did not cheat 
B) cheated; cheated 
C) did not cheat; cheated 
D) did not cheat; did not cheat

Question 6

Recall that in experiments presented in your text (Leippe & Eisenstadt, 1994; 1998), why did white participants experience dissonance after writing essays in favor of doubling scholarship funds for minority students?

Accepted Answer

A)  They were racially prejudiced. 
B)  It would mean less scholarship money for white students. 
C)  They had little contact with minority students. 
D)  It would expose their prejudice. 
A)  They were racially prejudiced. 
B)  It would mean less scholarship money for white students. 
C)  They had little contact with minority students. 
D)  It would expose their prejudice.

Question 7

Based on the Ben Franklin effect, you are most likely to increase your liking for Tony when

Accepted Answer

A)  Tony lends you $10. 
B)  you lend Tony $10. 
C)  Tony returns the $10 you lent him. 
D)  Tony finds $10. 
A)  Tony lends you $10. 
B)  you lend Tony $10. 
C)  Tony returns the $10 you lent him. 
D)  Tony finds $10.

Question 8

The authors of your text present a study in which monkeys were given a choice between different colors of M&Ms-later, their preference for different colors of M&Ms was reassessed.The researchers found that the monkeys

Accepted Answer

A)  later preferred the choice they had originally disliked. 
B)  reduced their liking for the colors of M&Ms they hadn't chosen. 
C)  reduced their liking for the colors of M&Ms they had chosen. 
D)  only experienced dissonance when they had observed it in other monkeys. 
A)  later preferred the choice they had originally disliked. 
B)  reduced their liking for the colors of M&Ms they hadn't chosen. 
C)  reduced their liking for the colors of M&Ms they had chosen. 
D)  only experienced dissonance when they had observed it in other monkeys.

Question 9

Recall that Brehm (1956) asked women to rate the desirability of a number of appliances, and then allowed them to choose one of those appliances as a gift.Twenty minutes later, all women re-rated the same appliances, including the one they chose.According to his findings, which of the following (fictitious) participants would rate the toaster lower than she had originally?

Accepted Answer

A)  June, who chose the waffle iron instead 
B)  Donna, who felt pressured to select the iron 
C)  Maude, who rated the toaster lowest at the outset 
D)  Edith, who loves toast and jelly, and chose the toaster 
A)  June, who chose the waffle iron instead 
B)  Donna, who felt pressured to select the iron 
C)  Maude, who rated the toaster lowest at the outset 
D)  Edith, who loves toast and jelly, and chose the toaster

Question 10

Of the four people presented below, which one would feel the LEAST regret about altering her appearance, based on information in your text about cognitive dissonance?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cheryl, who just got a tattoo 
B)  Lisa, who is wearing a new outfit 
C)  Misty, who just got her nails painted 
D)  Darlene, who is wearing a new shade of lipstick 
A)  Cheryl, who just got a tattoo 
B)  Lisa, who is wearing a new outfit 
C)  Misty, who just got her nails painted 
D)  Darlene, who is wearing a new shade of lipstick

Question 11

Talia loves animals but still eats meat.When she experiences dissonance about the contradiction, she tells herself that she also volunteers her time at an animal shelter.This manner of reducing dissonance involves

Accepted Answer

A)  self-affirmation. 
B)  priming. 
C)  self-handicapping. 
D)  growth mindset. 
A)  self-affirmation. 
B)  priming. 
C)  self-handicapping. 
D)  growth mindset.

Question 12

A mother is trying to get her child to behave in the store and to stop running around, yelling, and grabbing things off the shelves.According to cognitive dissonance theory, if she wants to stop the child's behavior immediately for the time being, she should use a ________, but if she wants to more permanently change the behavior, she should use a ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  bribe; punishment 
B)  small reward; large punishment 
C)  large punishment; small punishment 
D)  large punishment; large reward 
A)  bribe; punishment 
B)  small reward; large punishment 
C)  large punishment; small punishment 
D)  large punishment; large reward

Question 13

In a study referred to in the text (Peterson, Haynes, & Olson, 2008), smokers were asked to create an antismoking video to be shown to high school students, invoking dissonance in the smokers.To alleviate the dissonance they would then experience, what were these smokers more likely to do?

Accepted Answer

A)  actually intend to quit smoking 
B)  take care of their existing health problems, except for smoking 
C)  lose weight 
D)  begin exercising 
A)  actually intend to quit smoking 
B)  take care of their existing health problems, except for smoking 
C)  lose weight 
D)  begin exercising

Question 14

When preschoolers were forbidden to play with a very attractive toy, some received mild threats of punishment, and others received severe threats of punishment should they disobey (Aronson & Carlsmith, 1963).Because they had ________ justification, children in the mild threat condition experienced ________ dissonance, and changed their rating of the forbidden toy.

Accepted Answer

A)  ample external; more 
B)  insufficient external; less 
C)  ample external; less 
D)  insufficient external; more 
A)  ample external; more 
B)  insufficient external; less 
C)  ample external; less 
D)  insufficient external; more

Question 15

A recent MRI study revealed that when participants successfully reduced and resolved their cognitive dissonance, they experienced

Accepted Answer

A)  a surge of activity in the reasoning areas of the brain. 
B)  a reduced capacity in the motor areas of the brain. 
C)  pleasurable emotions. 
D)  an increase in activation of the rear hemisphere. 
A)  a surge of activity in the reasoning areas of the brain. 
B)  a reduced capacity in the motor areas of the brain. 
C)  pleasurable emotions. 
D)  an increase in activation of the rear hemisphere.

Question 16

According to the authors of your text, one of the most powerful determinants of human behavior stems from our need to

Accepted Answer

A)  acquire as much social power as possible. 
B)  forge strong connections with other people. 
C)  preserve and maintain a relatively favorable view of ourselves. 
D)  behave in rational, logical, reasonable ways. 
A)  acquire as much social power as possible. 
B)  forge strong connections with other people. 
C)  preserve and maintain a relatively favorable view of ourselves. 
D)  behave in rational, logical, reasonable ways.

Question 17

"There's no way I'd give up drinking! I'd just be stressed out all the time," says Lilly, as she sips her third martini of the evening.Lilly's comments about her drinking habit are an example of using ________ to reduce cognitive dissonance.

Accepted Answer

A)  minimized shift 
B)  justification 
C)  behavior change 
D)  cognitive change 
A)  minimized shift 
B)  justification 
C)  behavior change 
D)  cognitive change

Question 18

Imagine that before a test, the professor told Jake that if he is caught cheating, he will be expelled.Imagine that the professor told Amanda that, if caught cheating, her only punishment will be to write a short paper about why cheating is wrong.If both students don't cheat, what would dissonance theory predict?

Accepted Answer

A)  Amanda will feel more honest than Jake will. 
B)  Jake will feel more honest than Amanda will. 
C)  Amanda and Jake will each feel as honest as the other. 
D)  Neither Jake nor Amanda will feel honest because they were both threatened. 
A)  Amanda will feel more honest than Jake will. 
B)  Jake will feel more honest than Amanda will. 
C)  Amanda and Jake will each feel as honest as the other. 
D)  Neither Jake nor Amanda will feel honest because they were both threatened.

Question 19

Ken participates in a psychology study where he has to make statements that are contrary to his thoughts and values.Then, the researchers reminded him of this inconsistency.Ken has participated in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  a cognitive dissonance effect 
B)  a justification of effort 
C)  a rationalization induction 
D)  a hypocrisy induction 
A)  a cognitive dissonance effect 
B)  a justification of effort 
C)  a rationalization induction 
D)  a hypocrisy induction

Question 20

The new governor hires you to devise a plan to stop bullying in the schools.Based on the principle of insufficient punishment, what might be a good way to punish bullies?

Accepted Answer

A) After the first offense, dismiss them from school for the day. 
B) A "three strikes, you're out" policy in which the first two incidents go unpunished, but the third leads to expulsion and being placed in a juvenile detention center. 
C) Physically punish them by letting teachers slap them with yardsticks. 
D) Tell teachers to give a mild punishment that barely gets the bully to stop the behavior and to be consistent with this mild punishment. 
A) After the first offense, dismiss them from school for the day. 
B) A "three strikes, you're out" policy in which the first two incidents go unpunished, but the third leads to expulsion and being placed in a juvenile detention center. 
C) Physically punish them by letting teachers slap them with yardsticks. 
D) Tell teachers to give a mild punishment that barely gets the bully to stop the behavior and to be consistent with this mild punishment.

According to the authors of your text, what is one way people can begin to learn from their mistakes?

According to dissonance theorists, what is the problem with severe punishment to control behaviors? Severe punishment

As mentioned in the text, a Yale researcher (Cohen, 1962) paid some students relatively little and others relatively more to write an essay that contradicted their true beliefs about the local police.Results of his experiment demonstrated that

Recall that in experiments presented in your text (Leippe & Eisenstadt, 1994; 1998), why did white participants experience dissonance after writing essays in favor of doubling scholarship funds for minority students?

Based on the Ben Franklin effect, you are most likely to increase your liking for Tony when

The authors of your text present a study in which monkeys were given a choice between different colors of M&Ms-later, their preference for different colors of M&Ms was reassessed.The researchers found that the monkeys

Of the four people presented below, which one would feel the LEAST regret about altering her appearance, based on information in your text about cognitive dissonance?

Talia loves animals but still eats meat.When she experiences dissonance about the contradiction, she tells herself that she also volunteers her time at an animal shelter.This manner of reducing dissonance involves

In a study referred to in the text (Peterson, Haynes, & Olson, 2008), smokers were asked to create an antismoking video to be shown to high school students, invoking dissonance in the smokers.To alleviate the dissonance they would then experience, what were these smokers more likely to do?

A recent MRI study revealed that when participants successfully reduced and resolved their cognitive dissonance, they experienced

According to the authors of your text, one of the most powerful determinants of human behavior stems from our need to

"There's no way I'd give up drinking! I'd just be stressed out all the time," says Lilly, as she sips her third martini of the evening.Lilly's comments about her drinking habit are an example of using ________ to reduce cognitive dissonance.

Ken participates in a psychology study where he has to make statements that are contrary to his thoughts and values.Then, the researchers reminded him of this inconsistency.Ken has participated in which of the following?

The new governor hires you to devise a plan to stop bullying in the schools.Based on the principle of insufficient punishment, what might be a good way to punish bullies?

Introducing Social Psychology

Methodology: How Social Psychologists Do Research

Social Cognition: How We Think About the Social World

Social Perception: How We Come to Understand Other People

The Self: Understanding Ourselves in a Social Context

Attitudes and Attitude Change: Influencing Thoughts and Feelings

Conformity: Influencing Behavior

Group Processes: Influence in Social Groups

Interpersonal Attraction: From First Impressions to Close Relationships

Prosocial Behavior: Why Do People Help

Aggression: Why Do We Hurt Other People Can We Prevent It

Prejudice: Causes Consequences and Cures

Making a Difference With Social Psychology: Attaining a Sustainable Future

Social Psychology and Health

Social Psychology and the Law

Filters

Exam 6: The Need to Justify Our Actions: the Costs and Benefits of Dissonance Reduction

According to the authors of your text, what is one way people can begin to learn from their mistakes?

According to dissonance theorists, what is the problem with severe punishment to control behaviors? Severe punishment

As mentioned in the text, a Yale researcher (Cohen, 1962) paid some students relatively little and others relatively more to write an essay that contradicted their true beliefs about the local police.Results of his experiment demonstrated that

Recall that in experiments presented in your text (Leippe & Eisenstadt, 1994; 1998), why did white participants experience dissonance after writing essays in favor of doubling scholarship funds for minority students?

Based on the Ben Franklin effect, you are most likely to increase your liking for Tony when

The authors of your text present a study in which monkeys were given a choice between different colors of M&Ms-later, their preference for different colors of M&Ms was reassessed.The researchers found that the monkeys

Of the four people presented below, which one would feel the LEAST regret about altering her appearance, based on information in your text about cognitive dissonance?

Talia loves animals but still eats meat.When she experiences dissonance about the contradiction, she tells herself that she also volunteers her time at an animal shelter.This manner of reducing dissonance involves

In a study referred to in the text (Peterson, Haynes, & Olson, 2008), smokers were asked to create an antismoking video to be shown to high school students, invoking dissonance in the smokers.To alleviate the dissonance they would then experience, what were these smokers more likely to do?

A recent MRI study revealed that when participants successfully reduced and resolved their cognitive dissonance, they experienced

According to the authors of your text, one of the most powerful determinants of human behavior stems from our need to

"There's no way I'd give up drinking! I'd just be stressed out all the time," says Lilly, as she sips her third martini of the evening.Lilly's comments about her drinking habit are an example of using ________ to reduce cognitive dissonance.

Ken participates in a psychology study where he has to make statements that are contrary to his thoughts and values.Then, the researchers reminded him of this inconsistency.Ken has participated in which of the following?

The new governor hires you to devise a plan to stop bullying in the schools.Based on the principle of insufficient punishment, what might be a good way to punish bullies?

Introducing Social Psychology

Methodology: How Social Psychologists Do Research

Social Cognition: How We Think About the Social World

Social Perception: How We Come to Understand Other People

The Self: Understanding Ourselves in a Social Context

Attitudes and Attitude Change: Influencing Thoughts and Feelings

Conformity: Influencing Behavior

Group Processes: Influence in Social Groups

Interpersonal Attraction: From First Impressions to Close Relationships

Prosocial Behavior: Why Do People Help

Aggression: Why Do We Hurt Other People Can We Prevent It

Prejudice: Causes Consequences and Cures

Making a Difference With Social Psychology: Attaining a Sustainable Future

Social Psychology and Health

Social Psychology and the Law

Filters