Deck 12: Social Psychology

Question 1

Attributing a behavior to a person's stable,enduring traits is known as

A) central route persuasion.
B) a situational attribution.
C) a dispositional attribution.
D) peripheral route persuasion.

Answer 1

a dispositional attribution.

Question 2

Students in Professor Chu's psychology class scored much lower than normal on their latest exam,which was just before spring break.Professor Chu believes that students were preoccupied with the upcoming break and did not prepare well for the exam.Professor Chu's explanation for his students' exam performance is an example of

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) an attitude.
C) an attribution.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Answer 2

an attribution.

Question 3

Freire did very poorly on his last arithmetic test.The tendency to make the fundamental attribution error might lead his sixth-grade teacher to conclude that Freire did poorly because

A) he is unmotivated to do well in school.
B) the test covered material that had not been adequately covered in class.
C) his parents had an argument the evening before the test.
D) he was not given enough time to complete the test.

Answer 3

he is unmotivated to do well in school.

Question 4

Ksana insists that her boyfriend's car accident resulted from his carelessness.Her explanation for the accident provides an example of

A) a situational attribution.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) a dispositional attribution.

Question 5

Antonio,who averages 28 points a game for his basketball team,scored only 8 points in tonight's game.The other players believe that he was "slacking off," but in reality he was playing despite an injury.Antonio's teammates have committed

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) the fundamental attribution error.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) an attitude.

Question 6

Attribution theory was designed to account for

A) the process of revealing intimate aspects of ourselves to others.
B) the impact of both heredity and environment on social behavior.
C) the loss of self-awareness that occurs in group situations.
D) how people explain others' behavior.

Question 7

The fundamental attribution error is illustrated in our tendency to underestimate the extent to which others' behavior is influenced by

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) assigned roles.
C) attitudes.
D) personality traits.

Question 8

Thomas hits one of his older siblings,who is constantly teasing him.People from East Asian cultures would be more likely than people from Western cultures to explain the Thomas' behavior in terms of

A) hostile motives.
B) a lack of self-control.
C) an enduring personality trait.
D) the stressful situation.

Question 9

Professor Szumski conducts research designed to identify persuasion strategies that promote lasting changes in attitudes.Professor Szumski is most likely a ________ psychologist.

A) personality
B) clinical
C) social
D) biological

Question 10

Which branch of psychology is most directly concerned with the study of how people think about,influence,and relate to one another?

A) developmental psychology
B) social psychology
C) personality psychology
D) clinical psychology

Question 11

The tendency in Western cultures to attribute the behavior of others to internal,personal characteristics while ignoring or underestimating the effects of external,situational factors is called

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) an attitude.
C) foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 12

Monica sees Laurena,who is normally shy,give a speech in class with confidence.Monica therefore attributes Laurena's behavior to the course requirement.Monica's explanation for Laurena's behavior is an example of

A) a situational attribution.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) a dispositional attribution.

Question 13

Compared with people from East Asian cultures,those from Western countries are more likely to demonstrate

A) situational attributions.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) positive attitudes.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 14

Ilhan is not upset that his girlfriend forgot his birthday because he believes that she forgot because she was worried about her upcoming finals and her father's health.Ilhan's explanation for his girlfriend's forgetfulness is an example of

A) an attribution.
B) an attitude.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 15

Fritz Heider's attribution theory suggests that we attribute others' behavior to either their

A) heredity or their environment.
B) biological motives or their psychological motives.
C) thoughts or their emotions.
D) dispositions or their situations.

Question 16

The fundamental attribution error refers to our tendency to underestimate the impact of ________ and to overestimate the impact of ________ in explaining the behavior of others.

A) attitudes;cognitive dissonance
B) cognitive dissonance;attitudes
C) personal dispositions;situational influences
D) situational influences;personal dispositions

Question 17

The mental process people use to explain their behavior and the behavior of others is called

A) an attribution.
B) an attitude.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 18

Attributing a behavior to the current situation is known as

A) central route persuasion.
B) a situational attribution.
C) a dispositional attribution.
D) peripheral route persuasion.

Question 19

While eating at a restaurant,you see a waiter's serving tray accidentally tilt and an avalanche of food and beverages splatters on four people."What a careless,clumsy idiot," you mumble to yourself as you resume eating.You have just committed

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) an attitude.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 20

Shawna,who notices that her sister volunteers in many charitable organizations,believes that her sister is a very caring,giving person.Shawna's explanation of her sister's behavior is an example of

A) a situational attribution.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) a dispositional attribution.

Question 21

Researchers filmed two people as they interacted.Then they showed each person a replay of their interaction-filmed from the other person's perspective.This reversed the participants' attributions of the behaviors.Seeing the world from the actor's perspective,the observers

A) better appreciated the situation.
B) attributed the observed behavior to personality.
C) were less likely to attribute the cause of behavior to the situation.
D) were more likely to commit the fundamental attribution error.

Question 22

Carol is restless during class because her professor's distressed facial expressions lead her to believe that he dislikes teaching.The professor,on the other hand,is distressed because he sees Carol's restlessness as an indication that she lacks any motivation to learn.At this point,both student and professor should be informed of the dangers of

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) central route persuasion.
C) negative attitudes.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 23

Compared with central route persuasion,peripheral route persuasion tends to

A) be more durable.
B) occur more rapidly.
C) be more likely to influence behavior.
D) involve a greater number of logical arguments.

Question 24

On the first day of class,Tamara's professor gives brief and abrupt answers to students' questions.Tamara thinks that her new professor is rude.This ________ will likely influence her to act negatively toward her professor.

A) role playing
B) foot-in-the-door phenomenon
C) situational attribution
D) attitude

Question 25

Attitudes,which predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects,people,and events,

A) are situational attributions.
B) are the roles we assume.
C) are often influenced by our beliefs.
D) result from cognitive dissonance.

Question 26

Peripheral route persuasion involves

A) offering evidence and arguments in hopes of motivating careful thinking.
B) the tendency,when analyzing others' behavior,to overestimate the influence of personal traits and underestimate the effects of the situation.
C) being influenced by unimportant cues,such as a speaker's attractiveness.
D) the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request.

Question 27

Poverty and unemployment are likely to be explained in terms of personal dispositions by ________ and in terms of situational influences by ________.

A) the poor;the rich
B) women;men
C) social psychologists;evolutionary psychologists
D) political conservatives;political liberals

Question 28

Our explanations of our own admirable actions are ________ likely to involve situational attributions than our explanations of our own shameful actions.Our explanations of our own actions performed long ago are ________ likely to involve dispositional attributions than our explanations of our own very recent actions.

A) less;less
B) more;more
C) less;more
D) more;less

Question 29

We are NOT likely to make the fundamental attribution error if we observe someone

A) in a variety of situations.
B) who is unemployed.
C) who is wealthy.
D) we dislike.

Question 30

Which of the following illustrates peripheral route persuasion?

A) Dan searches Consumer Reports for ratings and information on new dishwashers.
B) Liam provides research-based evidence to Noah about the benefits of buying a gym membership.
C) Donna,who is a city councilperson,provides the mayor with information and evidence on the benefits of spending more money on bike trails.
D) Ethan is tempted to buy a new car because he is impressed that his favorite actress advertises the car on television commercials.

Question 31

Observing yourself on a video replay is most likely to increase your tendency to attribute your behavior to

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) role playing.
C) personality traits.
D) attitudes.

Question 32

We have a tendency to explain the behavior of strangers we have observed in only one type of situation in terms of ________ and to explain our own behavior in terms of ________.

A) attitudes;cognitive dissonance
B) situational constraints;personality traits
C) cognitive dissonance;attitudes
D) personality traits;situational constraints

Question 33

After reflecting on the power of choice,participants in experiments became increasingly less likely to attribute the misfortunes of others to

A) personality traits.
B) role playing.
C) situational influences.
D) cognitive dissonance.

Question 34

In explaining the actions of people we do not know well,we often demonstrate

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) central route persuasion.
C) the fundamental attribution error.
D) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Question 35

Mia feels that fast-food restaurants are an unhealthy source of food and has protested against the building of a new restaurant in her neighborhood.Mia's feeling about fast-food restaurants is an example of

A) an attitude.
B) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
C) a situational attribution.
D) role playing.

Question 36

The fundamental attribution error is likely to lead observers to attribute a stranger's

A) lack of employment to a weak economy.
B) act of kindness to a compassionate personality.
C) criminal behavior to a poor education.
D) friendliness to social role requirements.

Question 37

Emma is a college freshman in the United States.She is very unhappy with her last psychology exam score.Which of the following attributions is she most likely to use?

A) "I am just not working hard enough."
B) "I am not a responsible student."
C) "The exam was unfair because the questions were tricky."
D) "I spend too much time on Facebook and Instagram."

Question 38

The fundamental attribution error is most likely to occur when we explain an instance of

A) good behavior performed by a person we have never met before.
B) good behavior performed by a person we have previously met in a number of different situations.
C) bad behavior performed by a person we have never met before.
D) bad behavior performed by a person we have previously met in a number of different situations.

Question 39

You would most likely commit the fundamental attribution error in explaining why

A) you failed to finish a term paper in time.
B) you failed to return a phone call from a friend.
C) a waiter failed to smile when serving you.
D) you received a low grade on an exam.

Question 40

Attitudes are ________ that guide behavior.

A) roles
B) situational attributions
C) belief-based feelings
D) dispositional attributions

Question 41

Whether Alicia exercises regularly is best predicted by her attitude about

A) sports training.
B) physical health.
C) exercise.
D) role playing.

Question 42

In the Stanford prison experiment,male college volunteers were assigned to act either as guards or as prisoners.In only six days,the guards became cruel and degrading and the prisoners became passive,broke down,or rebelled.The psychologist who devised the study was

A) Fritz Heider.
B) Solomon Asch.
C) Leon Festinger.
D) Philip Zimbardo.

Question 43

Instead of providing arguments in favor of a political candidate,ads may build political support by associating pictures of the candidate with emotion-evoking music and images.This strategy best illustrates

A) central route persuasion.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) peripheral route persuasion.
D) role playing.

Question 44

The impact of our actions on our attitudes is best illustrated by

A) the fundamental attribution error.
B) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
C) central route persuasion.
D) peripheral route persuasion.

Question 45

Dominick,who is a copy machine salesman,provides information on all models and honestly explains all their pros and cons,even of his competitors' machines.Dominick is using

A) role playing.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) peripheral route persuasion.
D) central route persuasion.

Question 46

Philip Zimbardo devised a simulated prison and randomly assigned college students to serve as prisoners or guards.This experiment best illustrated the impact of

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) attributions.
D) role playing on attitudes.

Question 47

Darcy is in the market to buy a new car.The salesperson shows her the features of each car she is considering,explaining the pros and cons of purchasing each.The salesperson's strategy illustrates

A) central route persuasion.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) peripheral route persuasion.
D) role playing.

Question 48

Politicians who publicly oppose a tax increase that they privately favor best illustrate that

A) strong social pressure has very little influence on attitudes.
B) attitudes and actions are always consistent.
C) actions may sometimes be inconsistent with attitudes.
D) situations rarely influence actions and attitudes.

Question 49

Aleksis has recently begun to bully and hurt his younger brother.If this behavior continues,it is likely that Aleksis will

A) experience a substantial loss of self-esteem.
B) develop an increasing dislike for his brother.
C) experience a sense of cognitive dissonance.
D) develop a great sense of admiration and respect for his brother.

Question 50

The foot-in-the-door phenomenon refers to the tendency to

A) behave according to our feelings rather than our beliefs.
B) change our attitude because it differs from our behavior.
C) comply with a large request if one has previously complied with a small request.
D) attribute strangers' behavior to their personal dispositions.

Question 51

After she was promoted to a high-level executive position in the large company for which she worked,Jorana developed more pro-business political attitudes.This best illustrates the impact of ________ on attitudes.

A) cognitive dissonance
B) peripheral route persuasion
C) role playing
D) dispositional attributions

Question 52

Jackson agreed to Stanley's suggestion that they shoplift some video games.Later in the week,Jackson agreed to go along with Stanley's suggestion to steal a neighbor's expensive racing bike.Reflecting on what he had done,Jackson was surprised by his willingness to comply with Stanley's request.Jackson's experience illustrates

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
C) the fundamental attribution error.
D) central route persuasion.

Question 53

Jonathan,as a new police officer,believed that his job was to help people in the community.His partner,who is an experienced officer,told Jonathan that being a good officer involved looking for any reason to arrest and detain others.Jonathan now spends his day trying to arrest as many people as possible.Based on research on attitude change,Jonathan's change in attitude about his job illustrates the impact of

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) attributions.
D) role playing on attitudes.

Question 54

When a salesperson visits your home and asks you to try a free sample of a cleaning fluid,you agree.When he returns the following week and asks you to purchase an assortment of expensive cleaning products,you make the purchase.The salesperson appears to have made effective use of

A) the fundamental attribution error.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) cognitive dissonance.

Question 55

Opinion change resulting from a thoughtful focus on the content of arguments illustrates

A) central route persuasion.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) the fundamental attributional error.
D) cognitive dissonance.

Question 56

After they had first agreed to display a 3-inch-high "Be a Safe Driver" sign,California homeowners were highly likely to permit the installation of a very large and unattractive "Drive Carefully" sign in their front yards.This best illustrates

A) peripheral route persuasion.
B) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
C) the fundamental attribution error.
D) cognitive dissonance.

Question 57

The set of prescribed behaviors associated with a particular social position is best described as a(n)

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) attribution.
C) attitude.
D) role.

Question 58

Professor Shmitte is skeptical and critical of the reliability of Philip Zimbardo's research results.Which of the following would be the most accurate response to his concerns?

A) "You're right.Zimbardo's research should be discredited."
B) "It doesn't matter now if the results are reliable or not."
C) "It is too late to publicly criticize this research."
D) "While there are legitimate reasons to be concerned about the reliability of Zimbardo's research,other researchers have confirmed his findings."

Question 59

Attitudes are especially likely to affect behavior when

A) the attitudes are implicit rather than explicit.
B) external influences on behavior are minimal.
C) the person has not publicly stated those attitudes.
D) the attitudes differ from most other people's opinions.

Question 60

Vanessa is tempted to shoplift a gold necklace even though she has negative feelings about shoplifting.Vanessa is least likely to steal the merchandise if she

A) knows other people are watching.
B) has been asked to get the necklace for her best friend.
C) easily recalls her negative feelings about shoplifting.
D) has recently shoplifted jewelry from several different stores.

Question 61

Cognitive dissonance theory was proposed by

A) Fritz Heider.
B) Phillip Zimbardo.
C) Leon Festinger.
D) Solomon Asch.

Question 62

Stacey is feeling depressed over getting a bad grade on a college exam.What can she do to improve her mood?

A) She can explain her bad grade in more positive terms,such as looking for ways to improve her study skills.
B) She can blame her bad grade on her college professor.
C) She should suggest to her professor ways that the professor can improve his or her teaching methods.
D) She should tell her friends that she earned a bad grade on the exam.

Question 63

The transmission of shared knowledge and customs across generations is an indication of

A) collectivism.
B) informational social influence.
C) culture.
D) individualism.

Question 64

The transmission of a capitalist economic system from one generation to the next best illustrates the impact of

A) culture.
B) social norms.
C) the division of labor.
D) collectivism.

Question 65

Which theory best explains why our actions can lead us to modify our attitudes?

A) role-playing theory
B) cognitive dissonance theory
C) attribution theory
D) attitude theory

Question 66

Frank avoids talking with food in his mouth because he knows others think it is socially inappropriate.This best illustrates the impact of

A) groupthink.
B) mood contagion.
C) social facilitation.
D) social norms.

Question 67

Social norms are best described as

A) generalized beliefs about various groups of people.
B) people's explanations for their own behaviors.
C) rules for socially expected and accepted behavior.
D) feelings that predispose our reactions to events.

Question 68

Culture is defined as

A) similarities in language,money,sports,religion,and customs across different countries.
B) adjusting our behavior or thinking toward some group standard.
C) the ideas,attitudes,values,and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.
D) simply human nature.

Question 69

Before Sonya left for college,she told her friend Lacy that she thought sororities were filled with snobs and that she would never consider joining one.During Sonya's first week on campus,a sorority member invited her to a social function and encouraged her to pledge.After Sonya attended the party,she told Lacy,"Sororities do a lot of good things for the community.They're really service organizations." Sonya's change in attitude illustrates

A) cognitive dissonance theory.
B) role-playing theory.
C) attribution theory.
D) attitude theory.

Question 70

We are most likely to experience cognitive dissonance if we feel

A) little sense of responsibility for engaging in behaviors of which we personally disapprove.
B) little sense of responsibility for engaging in behaviors of which we personally approve.
C) a great sense of responsibility for engaging in behaviors of which we personally disapprove.
D) a great sense of responsibility for engaging in behaviors of which we personally approve.

Question 71

Although we often cannot directly control all of our feelings,we can influence our feelings by changing our behavior,according to

A) cognitive dissonance theory.
B) social facilitation theory.
C) attribution theory.
D) role-playing theory.

Question 72

The invention and transmission of dating and courtship customs best illustrate

A) collectivism.
B) cultural influence.
C) conformity.
D) informational social influence.

Question 73

KaLoo loves the taste of fried ants but will not serve them to her American friends because she knows they find the ants disgusting.This best illustrates the impact of

A) individualism.
B) collectivism.
C) mood linkage.
D) norms.

Question 74

The brain regions that become active when people experience negative arousal also become active when they experience

A) attributions.
B) central route persuasion.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) role playing.

Question 75

Chan decides to make a positive change in his life.Instead of going to work with a frown on his face,he will force himself to smile when he walks into work.According to ________,by altering his behavior Chan is likely to change his negative attitude about work.

A) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon
B) informational social influence
C) cognitive dissonance
D) attribution theory

Question 76

Tara has very strong opinions about a proposed tuition increase.However,when Tara becomes the student representative for the college board that proposed the raise in tuition,she develops a more favorable attitude about the tuition increase.Which theory best explains why?

A) attribution theory
B) attitude theory
C) cognitive dissonance theory
D) role-playing theory

Question 77

Marlisa is a casual dresser who loves wearing jeans and hates worrying about clothes.However,for her job interview she wore a nicely tailored suit.Marlisa's behavior best illustrates

A) social loafing.
B) social norms.
C) deindividuation.
D) social facilitation.

Question 78

Fernando's favorable attitude toward capital punishment began to change when he was asked to offer arguments opposing it in a university debate class.His attitude change is best explained by ________ theory.

A) cognitive dissonance
B) role-playing
C) attribution
D) attitude

Question 79

The discomfort we feel when our thoughts and behaviors are inconsistent is called

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) an attribution.
C) role playing.
D) an attitude.

Question 80

Brandon is 16 years old and volunteers in his community each week.What is this behavior likely to promote?

A) adhering to social norms
B) a compassionate identity
C) reduced cognitive dissonance
D) the central route to persuasion