Deck 5: Attitudes

Question 1

According to balance theory, people:

A) calculate response probabilities relative to alternative behaviours.
B) strive to be consistent in their cognitions.
C) maintain a delicate balance between conscious and unconscious motives.
D) average out negative and positive consequences for their actions.

Answer 1

strive to be consistent in their cognitions.

Question 2

According to which model are attitudes described variously as containing thoughts, ideas, feelings, likes, dislikes and behavioural intentions?

A) The two-component model
B) The three-component model
C) The cognitive consistency model
D) The one-component model

Answer 2

The three-component model

Question 3

If Josh were to put his evaluations of different traits into numbers, his evaluation of being shy would be '-2', '+9' for being energetic, '+6' for being compassionate, and '-6' for being selfish. Josh meets Sarah, who is energetic and compassionate, but also selfish. According to Anderson's information integration theory, using cognitive algebra Josh's overall attitude of Sarah is:

A) 3
B) 9
C) 1.75
D) 7

Answer 3

3

Question 4

Which of the following did Allport claim in 1935?

A) The concept of 'attitude' is too controversial to represent a separate area for research.
B) Attitudes are the basis of modern discourse analysis.
C) The concept of attitudes is probably the most distinctive and indispensable concept in contemporary American social psychology.
D) Attitudes control social interaction.

Question 5

In Thurstone's (1931) one-component model, an attitude is based on:

A) a mental posture.
B) actual behaviour.
C) the affect for or against a psychological object.
D) a behavioural tendency.

Question 6

Jane and Ben have been on a few dates now, and Jane really likes Ben. However, during their most recent date, Jane found out that Ben loves rugby. Jane has hated rugby ever since she was a child, when her dad used to make her sit through all those boring rugby games. According to balance theory, this relationship is:

A) unbalanced.
B) balanced.
C) disharmonised.
D) there is not enough information to decide.

Question 7

That people strive for cognitive consistency in their attitudes is a basic principle of:

A) multiple criterion theory.
B) sociocognitive theory.
C) information processing theory.
D) balance theory.

Question 8

In balance theory, a triad is balanced when there is/are:

A) two positive relationships
B) just one negative relationship
C) an odd number of negative relationships
D) none of the above

Question 9

Dissonance theory and balance theory are both examples of:

A) cognitive consistency theories.
B) accidental discoveries in the study of attitudes.
C) social identity theories.
D) behaviourism in the study of attitudes.

Question 10

In a three-component model, an attitude consists of:

A) cognition, motivation and communication.
B) beliefs, feelings and a tendency to act.
C) likes, dislikes and needs.
D) acting, behaving and doing.

Question 11

Emma is a PhD student and a tutor. She tells her social psychology students that each person's attitude toward the recently introduced 'affirmative action' program at the university actually consists of bits of information, and that we humans are pretty amazing because we perform cognitive algebra to average out the values we attach to these bits. Emma has just expounded a basic tenet of:

A) balance theory.
B) protection motivation theory.
C) information integration theory.
D) cognitive dissonance theory.

Question 12

Jill likes fetching pails of water, and also fancies Jack. The triad will be balanced for Jill if:

A) John walks up the hill without a pail of water.
B) Jack does not fancy Jill.
C) Jack likes fetching pails of water.
D) Jack won't fetch things.

Question 13

In a two-component model, an attitude:

A) needs a counter-attitude to survive.
B) consists of a mental readiness to act and also guides evaluative responses.
C) consists both of an object and a subject.
D) is first formed and then consolidated.

Question 14

Himmelfarb and Eagly's (1974) definition of an attitude embraced the view of the three-component model. Their definition also emphasised that attitudes are:

A) relatively permanent, generalisable, and unlimited to socially significant events of objects.
B) limited to socially significant events or objects, but not generalisable or permanent.
C) generalisable and unlimited to socially significant events, but not permanent.
D) relatively permanent, generalisable, but limited to socially significant events or objects.

Question 15

An object label, rules, an evaluative summary, and a knowledge structure are components of an attitude in:

A) a four-component model.
B) information integration theory.
C) cognitive consistency theory.
D) the sociocognitive model.

Question 16

Despite its appeal, the three-component model presents a problem by prejudging a link between attitude and ___________.

A) behaviour
B) affect
C) self-esteem
D) cognition

Question 17

Automatic judgements are to attitudes as ________ is/are to ________.

A) implicit measures; explicit measures
B) unconscious; conscious
C) the observer; the actor
D) introversion; extraversion

Question 18

Attitudes are underpinned by automatic judgements. Devine (1989) has also called these judgements:

A) stereotypes.
B) implicit.
C) data.
D) biases.

Question 19

The word 'attitude' is derived from the Latin word 'aptus' meaning:

A) the persistence needed to get into the Coliseum.
B) the posture adopted by a lazy soldier.
C) fit and ready for action.
D) the angle at which Zeus looked down at creatures on Earth.

Question 20

For an attitude to fulfil its function, it must be:

A) balanced.
B) realistic.
C) coherent.
D) accessible.

Question 21

The overall behavioural index, which is derived from measuring several specific behaviours, is:

A) the concept of volition.
B) the concept of the multiple-act criterion.
C) the integration measure.
D) the reasoned action criterion.

Question 22

In the theory of reasoned action, a subjective norm is:

A) a product of our beliefs about the target behaviour.
B) an internal declaration to act.
C) the action performed from our belief.
D) a product of what we think others believe.

Question 23

Azjen and Fishbein believed that behaviour could be better predicted if the measures of attitudes are:

A) general.
B) controlled.
C) specific.
D) broad.

Question 24

According to the theory of reasoned action, the best way of predicting what a person will do is to:

A) work out an index based on a combination of several specific behaviours.
B) ask what the person actually intends to do.
C) use a Likert scale.
D) undertake a test run.

Question 25

Kerry likes driving cars very fast. According to protection motivation theory, whether he decides to slow down depends on:

A) his evaluation of perceived risk of an accident against his capacity to put up with a slower speed.
B) the status of legislation concerning speeding and perception of environmental issues such as a school zone.
C) the company he keeps and whether they are in the car with him as he travels.
D) which car he is driving and its ability to perform well at higher speeds.

Question 26

Behaviour is to attitude as ________ is/are to ________.

A) evaluation; rule
B) discrimination; prejudice
C) thinking; feeling
D) words; actions

Question 27

Ian is a loyal fan of an Olympic champion who is also called Ian. Although he is small, Ian joins the school's swimming squad, determined to become another big 'Ian' in swimming history. According to the theory of planned behaviour, a crucial element in predicting success from Ian's new sporting attitude will be:

A) his belief that he can carry out his training schedule.
B) the richness of his visual imagery about winning.
C) his actual training schedule.
D) avoiding making comparisons with his peer swimmers.

Question 28

In studying attitudes and alcohol consumption, Gregson and Stacey (1981) found that:

A) there was only a small positive correlation between attitudes and alcohol consumption.
B) people's attitudes towards alcohol clearly predicted what they consumed.
C) most people were addicted to alcohol.
D) a change in attitudes towards alcohol consumption was reflected in a change in behaviour.

Question 29

Knowing what we now know from the theory of reasoned action, LaPiere's (1934) study of attitudes towards Chinese was:

A) flawed because LaPiere was not Chinese.
B) a spectacular example of a general measure of attitude failing to predict a specific behaviour.
C) ahead of its time in measuring behavioural intentions.
D) a sad reflection on how the hospitality industry rationalised the way it behaved.

Question 30

The theory of planned behaviour extended the theory of reasoned action by:

A) defining 'intention'.
B) re-arranging the three components of 'beliefs', 'intention' and 'action'.
C) specifying the questions that are asked in order to predict behaviour.
D) adding the variable of perceived behavioural control.

Question 31

In a classic study of predicting discriminatory behaviour based on prejudiced attitudes, LaPiere (1934) found that:

A) Chinese couples wanting accommodation were favoured by Chinese managers, although LaPiere got good service as well
B) generalised prejudice towards Chinese was not matched by discrimination against LaPiere's Chinese travel companions
C) the Chinese travel companions were often offered jobs in the kitchen
D) generalised prejudice towards Chinese was matched by discrimination against LaPiere's Chinese travel companions

Question 32

The correspondence between attitudes and behaviour varies according to:

A) the strength of the person's identification with the group in question.
B) what extent the attitude is accessible.
C) whether the person's attitude is expressed at home or in public.
D) all of the above.

Question 33

The theory of planned behaviour is unique for including the idea that an attitude can be linked more reliably to behaviour if the attitude measure includes the element of perceived behavioural control. Perceived behavioural control is based on:

A) beliefs about resources and opportunities.
B) beliefs about cognition and intentions.
C) beliefs about perspectives and norms.
D) beliefs about attitudes and actions.

Question 34

The idea that people try to achieve a balance between perceived threat of illness and their capacity to cope with a health program is a key to:

A) the theory of reasoned action.
B) the theory of planned behaviour.
C) protection motivation theory.
D) coping appraisal.

Question 35

In the theory of reasoned action, a person's behaviour is best predicted by:

A) asking about the person's intentions to act.
B) how behaviour determines attitudes.
C) the idea that attitude scales should be as brief as possible.
D) the rationality of human behaviour.

Question 36

Fishbein and Azjen (1975) argued that we can predict behaviour from more general attitudes only if we adopt a:

A) multiple-act criterion.
B) single-act criterion.
C) broader investigative outlook.
D) meta-analytic view.

Question 37

Bart is sexually active but not in a long-term relationship. Will he practice safe sex? The theory of reasoned action predicts 'yes' if Bart:

A) thinks using condoms in sexual encounters is a good idea.
B) actually says that he will use a condom in an imminent sexual encounter.
C) thinks the social norm popular among his peers favours safe sex.
D) all of the above in combination.

Question 38

Karen is determined to do really well in her exams. So, to be 'sensible' she gets on a program to moderate her social life. However, cutting down on attending parties is easier to do than minimising visits by friends who 'just drop in'. Knowing that she can at least control one aspect of her program is a feature of the theory of:

A) self-evaluation maintenance.
B) reasoned action.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) planned behaviour.

Question 39

According to Floyd, Prentice-Dunn & Rogers (2000), what do protection motivation theory, the theory of planned behaviour, and the theory of reasoned action have in common?

A) They all forcefully emphasise the role of volition and intention to establish attitudes.
B) The idea that motivation towards protection results from a perceived threat and the desire to avoid potential negative outcomes.
C) They can all be applied to emotional health and attitudinal behaviour resulting from values and ideology.
D) They all demonstrate validity in motivating factors associated with environmental situations and conflicting behaviour.

Question 40

According to Fishbein (1971), in order to be able to predict a person's behaviour it is crucial to measure:

A) the degree of affect.
B) the strength and value of related beliefs.
C) the views of the reference group.
D) both 'pro' and 'con' attitudes.

Question 41

According to Bem's (1972) self-perception theory, people learn a lot about themselves by:

A) looking in the mirror.
B) searching their own behaviour.
C) being introspective.
D) worrying about what their friends think.

Question 42

Attitudes that have ___________ evaluative link(s) to situational cues are more likely to be activated automatically.

A) a weak
B) no
C) a strong
D) multiple

Question 43

Helena's mum has always been a crafty person, enjoying knitting, sewing, and all kinds of needle work. As far back as she can remember, Helena would knit for her friends and family. This passion is likely to be due to:

A) spreading the attitude effect.
B) instrumental learning.
C) classical conditioning.
D) modelling.

Question 44

Carla has helped out at Open Day at the university for the last two years. However, she has never been a charity collector on the main street. For which activity is she more likely to volunteer this year?

A) Open Day
B) The probability is about the same
C) It is impossible to answer this without knowing more about Carla
D) Charity collecting

Question 45

Research on the mere exposure effect has shown that:

A) it is important to understand decision-making strategies.
B) 'too many cooks spoil the broth' has a kernel of truth.
C) attraction to an object increases as we encounter it more often.
D) what people may think of as provocative clothing has changed over time.

Question 46

The process of modelling:

A) is associated with classical conditioning.
B) depends directly on rewards.
C) requires the experiencing of positive or negative outcomes.
D) involves learning by observation.

Question 47

Brett was listening to his favourite rock band while reading a magazine advertisement for a new body lotion 'designed to make your partner crazy for you!' Sonia read the same advertisement in a quiet corner of the room. Brett thought he had better check out this new body lotion, but Sonia had forgotten about it as she turned the next page. This sounds very much like the effects of:

A) instrumental conditioning.
B) classical conditioning.
C) observational learning.
D) the mere exposure effect.

Question 48

It can be difficult to predict single acts from general attitudes. However, prediction can often be improved by including one or more ________ in the research design.

A) independent variables
B) moderator variables
C) random variables
D) dependent variables

Question 49

As a Greenpeace member, Karl thinks a lot about saving the environment and feels very strongly about it. Julia is a bit more relaxed about the issue. Compared to her, Karl's attitude will:

A) require constant peer reinforcement.
B) translate more often into action.
C) need to be verified more often.
D) be a bigger worry to local policymakers.

Question 50

Can a non-activated attitude guide subsequent behaviour?

A) Yes - always
B) No - never
C) Sometimes - in certain situations
D) Sometimes - it depends on the behaviour

Question 51

As our attitudes are formed, factors such as 'mere exposure to the object of our attitude' and 'conditioning':

A) play little part.
B) constrain how attitudes show in our behaviour.
C) control how vicarious experience works.
D) are evidence of direct experience.

Question 52

When compared to non-accessible attitudes, an accessible attitude is:

A) more difficult to recall.
B) less resistant to change.
C) more likely to correspond with behaviour.
D) stored in the subconscious.

Question 53

When people form an attitude about something, direct experience can play a role. An example is:

A) the halo effect.
B) the mere exposure effect.
C) vicarious reinforcement.
D) intermittent reinforcement.

Question 54

Maria and Mario's son, Ronaldo, is four years old. To what extent will Ronaldo's attitudes reflect those of his parents by the time he turns twenty?

A) Hardly at all
B) At a general level quite a lot, but the link is weak at a specific level of attitude
C) Most of his attitudes
D) At a specific level quite a lot, but the link is weak at a general level of attitude

Question 55

In social psychological research, 'moderator variables' include:

A) each and every dependent variable.
B) all variables that are held constant.
C) situational and personality variables.
D) any intervening variable.

Question 56

Arthur's attitude towards binge drinking is accessible if he:

A) is sure of reasons why it is a good or a bad thing.
B) once told Bill what he thinks about binge drinking.
C) is not sure of reasons why it is a good or a bad thing.
D) can retrieve his attitude towards binge drinking from memory.

Question 57

Since the day Ben met Sandra at work, he has not liked her. Ben has always thought Sandra was arrogant and rude, especially towards him. As Ben sees Sandra every day at work, he has been reminded over and over again of how arrogant and rude she is. Sandra found out what Ben thought of her, and made a conscious effort to act nicer to Ben, and also towards others around the office. Although others have noticed that Sandra has changed remarkably for the better since she started working there, Ben cannot see this and maintains his negative perception of Sandra. Ben's attitude towards Sandra demonstrates that:

A) the accessibility of attitudes can produce insensitivity to change.
B) there is a clear attitude-behaviour link.
C) Ben's negative evaluations of Sandra are unjustified.
D) all attitudes can never be changed, regardless of people's best efforts.

Question 58

Selena is at a conference where she notices Luke and Pat talking. She barely knows either one-they are effectively neutral. Then she sees Luke talking with Caleb, someone she dislikes. First, Luke is now less likeable (1); and second, Pat is now also less likeable (2). Selena's two attitudes are examples of:

A) (1) evaluative conditioning; (2) the spreading attitude effect.
B) (1) the spreading attitude effect; (2) evaluative conditioning.
C) (1) automatic activation; (2) classical conditioning.
D) (1) the mere exposure effect; (2) classical conditioning.

Question 59

By using a moderator variable in our research we may:

A) remove extreme variation from an experiment.
B) avoid conflict by having a referee tone down disagreement.
C) account for responses from people with middle-of-the-road views.
D) improve prediction by qualifying a simple hypothesis.

Question 60

As a social psychologist, you could study mood as a:

A) personality variable and moderator variable.
B) moderator variable and situational variable.
C) situational variable and personality variable.
D) personality variable, moderator variable, and situational variable.

Question 61

Social representations are:

A) the boundaries that define a group.
B) cognitive structures grounded in social groups.
C) the actions of a vociferous minority group.
D) elected members of a society.

Question 62

You are a flooring tile advertising executive. Your copy for a new radio ad reads: 'Use tiles for your new floor, not [chopping noises] wood! Save our country's timber resources!!' Your ad is based on:

A) source credibility.
B) a coping mechanism.
C) a value.
D) a high level of fear.

Question 63

Rokeach (1973) distinguished between two types of values. These are:

A) terminal values and instrumental values.
B) terminal values and percussion values.
C) inward values and outward values.
D) personal values and social values.

Question 64

Collectively elaborated explanations of unfamiliar and complex phenomena that transform them into a familiar and simple form are referred to as:

A) social schemas.
B) paradigms.
C) traditions.
D) social representations.

Question 65

Gemma is a high school Drama teacher. She has a small HSC Drama class of 15 students, whom she gets along with really well. Gemma thinks the best way to teach this class is to act as one of their peers, encouraging equality in the classroom between teacher and students. However, when one of the students acts up in class, Gemma finds it hard to discipline him as she has established herself as a 'peer' rather than an authority figure in the class. The conflict Gemma faces can be best termed as a(n):

A) classroom dilemma.
B) ideological dilemma.
C) political dilemma.
D) mindfulness conflict.

Question 66

From the viewpoint of social representations, specific attitudes:

A) are replaced by general attitudes.
B) become more diffused.
C) exist within a context of wide representative structures.
D) are defined by community leaders.

Question 67

An integrated set of beliefs is referred to as a(n):

A) ideology.
B) paradigm.
C) mood.
D) attitude.

Question 68

A person's tendency to say 'yes' to questions in a survey is:

A) an acquiescent response set.
B) the mere exposure effect.
C) a result of low external validity.
D) the multiple act criterion.

Question 69

In constructing a Thurstone scale, you would:

A) assume that the dimension of measurement had intervals that were unequal.
B) select items on the basis of inter-judge agreement.
C) calculate scores ranging from zero to favourable regions.
D) develop attitudinal statements that have a unidimensional category.

Question 70

What do Likert's method of summated ratings, Guttman's scale and Thurstone's method of equal-appearing intervals have in common?

A) They all have a neutral point that participants may choose
B) All three methods were recognised in the 1920s
C) The assumption that attitudes can be measured quantitatively
D) Their ease of construction makes them easily adaptable

Question 71

A scale that uses word meanings and locates a person's attitude concept on an evaluative dimension is:

A) the semantic differential scale.
B) the expectancy-value technique.
C) a Likert scale.
D) the bogus pipeline technique.

Question 72

Ideologies can vary as a function of certain characteristics. One of which suggests:

A) that some values are pluralistic and others monistic.
B) groups assign simplistic priorities to particular values.
C) pluralistic ideology can tolerate a conflict of values.
D) monoistic ideology emphasises economic growth.

Question 73

One way of using priming to measure an underlying attitude is to:

A) make the choices on the test very difficult.
B) suggest to the person taking a test how they might respond.
C) ensure that the crucial item is in the primary position.
D) pair an attitude that is congruent with a 'correct' test response.

Question 74

A value:

A) cannot guide action about what a person should really do.
B) is at a less abstract level than an attitude.
C) develops before an attitude.
D) has characteristics that are opposite to all of the above.

Question 75

In constructing a Likert scale you would:

A) use judges to perform the final evaluation of the instrument according to standardised information.
B) average the measure of each person's attitude distance from a zero point.
C) measure people's agreement with a series of attitude statements using a five-point scale.
D) vary the statements according to a cumulative or hierarchical response.

Question 76

A measurement instrument for attitudes that is characterised by a set of cumulative items and by unidimensionality is:

A) the bogus pipeline technique.
B) Thurstone's equal-appearing intervals.
C) a Guttman scale.
D) Osgood's semantic differential scale.

Question 77

According to Feather (1994), values are:

A) organised into hierarchies.
B) an outcome of the free market system.
C) a cluster of attitudes.
D) a collection of wants and needs.

Question 78

You work for the City Council. They commission you to find out what sort of summer event is most popular with the public, so you attend various events and count the number of people who attend. In so doing you have opted for:

A) a qualitative approach to answering the council's question.
B) an unobtrusive measure of people's attitudes.
C) the least demanding strategy.
D) the most enjoyable way of fulfilling your contract.

Question 79

What is one advantage of using physiological measures over self-report measures of attitudes?

A) Measuring heart-rate is one of the most accurate ways to measure attitudes
B) People are not able to alter their responses
C) Physiological measures are accurate in indicating intensity of feelings
D) People may not realise that their attitudes are being assessed

Question 80

The practice of convincing people who participate in an experiment that they cannot hide their true attitudes is referred to as:

A) the multiple act technique.
B) the bogus pipeline technique.
C) unethical deception.
D) a lie detector.