Deck 13: Aggression and Conflict

Question 1

Evan, who is Black, and Niles, who is White, are debating whether adopting a color-blind ideology is a useful way to reduce racial conflict among groups. Evan is against a color-blind society, whereas Niles claims that people would be better off if they looked past racial differences. First, explain the color-blind ideology. Next, based on the research described in your text, who is correct? Briefly describe 2 arguments mentioned in the text to back up your claim.

Answer 1

The color-blind society ideology argues that people should not see race and that racial differences should be ignored. This is a nice idea in theory, but this ideology has a number of disadvantages. First, in school and at work there are advantages to learning about other cultures and how to work alongside people who are culturally different. Second, the color-blind ideology desensitizes members of the dominant group to value placed on group membership by members of minority or disadvantaged groups. Many Blacks place great importance on their group membership and feel that the color-blind ideology denies them an important identity and may even translate into a desire for assimilation into the dominant White majority group. Based on these arguments, Evan is correct.

Question 2

After 9/11 a number of innocent Muslims, and people presumed to be Muslim, were attacked by White Americans trying to exact revenge for the acts of terrorism committed against the U.S. This retaliation by the White Americans against innocent out-group members is known as ________.

A) Reactive devaluation
B) Realistic conflict theory
C) Vicarious retribution
D) Relative deprivation theory

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In a classic study by Deutsch and Krauss (1960) participants imagined that they were the owners of two rival truck companies, Acme and Bolt, whose profits were based upon the speed with which they carried merchandise over roads to specific destinations. In which condition did both participants make the most money?

A) When both Acme and Bolt were able to control when a gate closed over the central road.
B) When only Acme had control over a gate that closed over the central road.
C) When only Bolt had control over a gate that closed over Acme's alternate route.
D) When neither Acme nor Bolt had control over a gate.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

After losing the big game, the members of a woman's lacrosse team talk about whether they should retaliate against the rival team. In early discussions the players talk about how they can ignore their rivals when they see them in town. As more and more girls begin to agree and become committed to the idea, the group as a whole decides to vandalize the other team's locker room. This escalation of the planned retaliation by the losing team is a result of:

A) Group polarization
B) Reactive devaluation
C) Coalition formation
D) The norm of reciprocity

Question 5

Imagine that you are part of a study in which you have been asked to divide up points between two groups of people. These points will determine who gets the most money at the end of the study. In which condition should you be expected to give more points to your fellow group members?

A) When group membership was decided by a random coin toss.
B) When the study has been framed as a competition between two groups.
C) When your group has a long history of conflict with the other group.
D) All of the conditions above should create in-group favoritism.

Question 6

Monica is a millionaire who feels like she is missing out when she sees her best friend's new diamond ring. Jared is a teacher who is striking with his colleagues because they are making less than teachers in a nearby town. Based on these examples, Monica is experiencing ________, and the teachers are experiencing _________.

A) fraternal relative deprivation; egoistic relative deprivation
B) egoistic relative deprivation; fraternal relative deprivation
C) reactive devaluation; coalition formation
D) coalition formation; reactive devaluation

Question 7

According to relative deprivation theory, which factor determines how satisfied or dissatisfied people are with what they have?

A) Objective reality
B) Competition for scarce resources
C) Social comparison
D) All of the above

Question 8

Women often don't complain about their wages when they compare themselves with other women. In contrast, women may become more dissatisfied with their paycheck if they compare themselves to men in similar jobs. This is an example of:

A) Relative deprivation theory
B) Frustration-aggression theory
C) Realistic conflict theory
D) Vicarious retribution theory

Question 9

Sherif's classic Robbers Cave study provided evidence for which of the following theories of intergroup relations?

A) Reactive devaluation
B) Realistic conflict theory
C) Relative deprivation theory
D) Vicarious retribution

Question 10

Imagine that you are the captain of a dodge ball team. If you want your players to be as competitive and aggressive as possible, what should you do?

A) Encourage the players to think about their own individual skills and talents.
B) Bring the players together for the first time at your first game and ask them to work together as a team.
C) Ask the players to wear their own clothes to the first game to express their individuality.
D) Ask the players to all wear the same jerseys to the first game to show others which team they're on.

Question 11

Leroy is a football player who has been insulted by a member of a rival team. Although this insult has made Leroy very angry, he decides not to fight the rival player because his coach has instilled in his players the motivation to always demonstrate good sportsmanship. According to the General Aggression Model, which factor has caused Leroy to refrain from behaving aggressively?

A) Person factors
B) Situational factors
C) Emotions
D) Social norms

Question 12

According to research described in the text, which of the people below should be LEAST likely to behave aggressively?

A) Greg, who was just insulted and who is processing superficially.
B) Jim, who was just pulled over by a police officer who carried a holstered pistol.
C) Steven, an expert hunter, who is shopping for a new hunting rifle.
D) All of the above will behave aggressively

Question 13

Research on aggressive models in the media has shown all but which of the following results (i.e., which of the statements below is FALSE)?

A) Children who are allowed to vent aggressive impulses by playing violent games behave less aggressively later.
B) Exposure to aggressive media content leads people to interpret other people's behavior as hostile.
C) People who view more hours of violent television tend to be more aggressive.
D) Frequent viewers of ""slasher"" movies are relatively unconcerned about violence toward women.

Question 14

Ramona has been sitting in traffic for the past hour and she has a headache. When she gets home, she yells at her husband who has burned their dinner. Ramona's actions provide a good example of:

A) Relative deprivation theory
B) Frustration-aggression theory
C) Reactive devaluation theory
D) Realistic conflict theory

Question 15

A study of participants from societies that either did or did not endorse a culture of honor were asked to read about a couple who had been married for 7 years, at which point the husband learned that his wife had been unfaithful to him. The results showed that:

A) Compared to those from a different culture, participants from an honor culture perceived that the husband was more justified in hitting his wife.
B) Compared to those from an honor culture, participants who were not from an honor culture perceived that the husband was more justified in hitting his wife.
C) Participants from an honor culture perceived that the husband loved his wife less after he hit her.
D) Participants who were not from an honor culture perceived that the husband loved his wife just as much after hitting her or yelling at her.

Question 16

Each of the individuals below has experienced a threat to their self-esteem. Who should be LEAST likely to engage in aggressive behavior?

A) Narcissistic Ned
B) Mortality salient Morton
C) High self-esteem Harry
D) Low self-esteem Leland

Question 17

Which of the following school children is likely to engage in interpersonal aggression?

A) Johnny knows that his parents will punish him if he defends himself against the older boys at school.
B) Pete is a weak child who is frequently bullied at school.
C) Sam was pushed by another student at recess, right in front of their teacher.
D) Greg, who knows Tae Kwon Do, has been repeatedly picked on as he walks to school.

Question 18

Which of the following consequences is NOT likely to follow from coalition formation?

A) Multiple parties are polarized into two opposing sides.
B) Coalition formation is seen as a threatening action that weakens competition.
C) Those excluded from the coalition react with fear and anger and try to form their own coalition.
D) Coalition formation helps two or more parties achieve goals that they could not achieve alone.

Question 19

Country A and Country B are at war. Members of these two countries are likely to perceive each other in ALL BUT WHICH of the following ways?

A) In-group members will see their group as righteous and morally superior.
B) In-group members who are the victims of intergroup violence will be seen as less than human.
C) In-group members will see themselves as the overwhelming victims of the war.
D) Out-group members will be perceived as evil and diabolical.

Question 20

The Robbers Cave Study is mentioned multiple times throughout this chapter. Briefly describe one theory that explains why conflict erupted among the Eagles and the Rattlers. Next, explain why the conflict between these two groups escalated and the consequences of that escalation. Finally, explain how conflict between the Eagles and the Rattlers was eventually reduced, and 5 reasons why this conflict reduction was successful.

Question 21

A couple who is about to go through a divorce is wondering if they should use a mediator. What would you recommend that this couple do and what are 3 pieces of evidence to support your recommendation?

Question 22

Imagine that you are part of a dance team at a small university and you are constantly battling with the cheerleaders to schedule time to practice in the gym that you both must share. What are 3 pieces of advice that will help you to negotiate a compromise with the cheerleaders?

Question 23

If you are tempted to behave aggressively toward another person, is it better to feel empathy toward the other person, or engage in self-distancing, or both? Explain.

Question 24

Describe 3 factors that contributed to the "final solution" of the Holocaust in Nazi Germany.

Question 25

Imagine that it is the end of the Eighth century AD. The Vikings have started to gather armies on British soil with the intent of conquering England. In such a conflict situation, explain 3 ways in which the views of the British people likely became more polarized. Next, describe the type of biased attributions they likely made for behavior by fellow Englishmen vs. the Vikings.

Question 26

Why are threats often counterproductive in intergroup conflict situations? Briefly describe the method and results of one study that demonstrates how threats often make people more competitive and less likely to cooperate.

Question 27

Maxine is a well-paid and well-qualified employee who is feeling disgruntled because she continues to not receive the same bonuses that her coworkers have received. Across town, poor Latinos are struggling to gain access to the same resources and jobs that are freely given to their White majority peers. Who is most likely to initiate conflict because of their situation, Maxine and/or the Latinos, and why? In your answer you should describe any theories that are relevant to the situations describ

Question 28

Briefly describe 3 factors that limit people's capacity to process information deeply and that may result in them behaving aggressively.

Question 29

Martin and Levi are arguing about whether playing violent video games increases aggressive behavior. Martin argues that playing violent video games actually releases people's aggressive impulses and makes them less likely to behave aggressively later. Levi disagrees and instead argues that playing violent video games makes people more aggressive. Who is correct? Describe 1 study that provides support for the argument being made by either Martin or Levi.

Question 30

What is the relation between the experience of negative emotion and aggression? Do all negative emotions lead to aggression? Explain.

Question 31

George is from a Southern U.S. state and Matt is from a Northern U.S. state. Based on research on the culture of honor, who do you predict would act more aggressively after an insult and why?

Question 32

Professor Markman wants to study the aggressive behavior of adolescent males and females in her lab. First, describe the challenges of studying aggression in an experimental setting, and then tell Professor Markman about 1 technique that she could use to study aggression in her lab.

Question 33

What is the difference between hostile and instrumental aggression. Next, give an example of how the same act could be an example of both types of aggression.

Question 34

During times of conflict, in-group members are most likely to attribute actions by fellow in-group members to _______, and actions by out-group members to _______.

A) aggression; fear
B) fear; aggression
C) personality characteristics; the situation
D) the situation; personality characteristics

Question 35

In a study on reactive devaluation, Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs evaluated peace plans that were supposedly proposed by either in-group members or out-group members. The results showed that:

A) Both Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs devalued peace plans if they were described as coming from the out-group.
B) Peace plans described as coming from the out-group were only devalued if individuals were highly identified members of their in-group.
C) Peace plans described as coming from the out-group were only devalued if individuals were processing superficially.
D) All of the above

Question 36

Which of the findings from modern evolutionary psychology suggest that aggression is neither an inevitable nor uncontrollable part of ""human nature""?

A) Men behave aggressively toward other men who are seen as competition for mates.
B) Depending on the situation, humans have used strategies such as aggression, cooperation, or alliance formation to gain status and resources.
C) The most aggressive males tend to have the evolutionary advantage.
D) None of the above

Question 37

________ aggression is used to control other people or to obtain valuable resources, whereas ________ aggression is driven by spontaneous anger due to insult, disrespect, or some other threat.

A) Instrumental; hostile
B) Hostile; instrumental
C) Reactive; instrumental
D) Hostile; reactive

Question 38

________ occurs when two parties have incompatible goals, for example when one group has land that the other group wants.

A) Aggression
B) Coalition formation
C) Conflict
D) Reactive devaluation

Question 39

The world would be a much happier place if people adopted a color-blind ideology and looked beyond people's race.

Question 40

Encouraging groups to work together to solve problems that can only be achieved by working together has been shown to decrease intergroup conflict.

Question 41

People who experience greater empathy toward others are less likely to behave aggressively toward those others.

Question 42

The ready availability of weapons in America helps to deter aggression.

Question 43

Physical violence and war are present in every human society.

Question 44

Each of us is psychologically capable of hatred, dehumanization, and violence toward out-group members.

Question 45

During times of conflict, the statements made about the opposing side tend to reflect simplistic and stereotypic thinking about the out-group.

Question 46

Attempting to deter war by threatening an out-group usually makes war more, not less, likely.

Question 47

Competition over scarce resources is the biggest cause of conflict among groups.

Question 48

Individuals tend to behave more aggressively than groups.

Question 49

Results of one longitudinal study showed that those who watched more violent TV at age 8 were more likely to be convicted of violent crimes by age 30.

Question 50

Compared to those who watch an innocuous film, people who watch aggressive behavior on television are more likely to give other 'participants' stronger shocks.

Question 51

States and countries that endorse a culture of honor tend to have more violent crime than places without such a culture.

Question 52

Across every situation, males display more physical and relational aggression than females.

Question 53

It is unethical to study aggression in the lab.

Question 54

Research from modern evolutionary psychology suggests that it is ""human nature"" to be aggressive.

Question 55

According to the text, which of the following emotions is associated with the desire to aggress against a threatening out-group?

A) Fear
B) Sadness
C) Anger
D) All of the above

Question 56

Based on the research by Dasgupta, Banaji, and Abelson (1997) in which participants made judgments of two novel humanoid creatures, which group should be seen as the most threatening?

A) Group A, whose members are in close proximity.
B) Group B, whose members are scattered apart.
C) Group C, whose members are all dressed differently.
D) Group D, whose members represent other diverse groups.

Question 57

According to the social psychological definition, which of the following people is demonstrating aggression?

A) Jay was running late for a meeting, so he pushed his way through the crowd of people.
B) Kay's friends made fun of her so she slapped one of them in the face.
C) Dee is trying to sell samples of her new product and she won't take no for an answer.
D) All of the above

Question 58

What was the goal of the Robber's Cave study?

A) To understand how intergroup hostilities develop among two groups of boys at camp.
B) To understand how to resolve hostility among groups.
C) To understand how unrest and hostilities develop among ethnic, political, and religious groups.
D) All of the above

Question 59

Which of the following is NOT considered to be a drawback of the color-blind ideology?

A) Whites who embrace a color-blind ideology sincerely refuse to acknowledge that Whites and Blacks differ in important ways.
B) The color-blind ideology encourages groups to embrace and accept their diversity.
C) Color-blindness denies an important social identity of different racial groups.
D) Color-blindness encourages assimilation to the values of the dominant group.

Question 60

According to the text, it is best to see societies as:

A) A tossed salad
B) A melting pot
C) Color-blind
D) Hearing-impaired

Question 61

Which of the following experimental manipulations has been shown to decrease conflict among groups?

A) Randomly dividing groups into two subgroups and asking each group to come up with a group name.
B) Asking members of two groups to merge completely.
C) Asking members of two groups to perform distinct roles and tasks that contribute to the overall good.
D) Asking members of two groups to think of themselves as individuals, rather than group members.

Question 62

Why does cooperation help to resolve conflicts over concrete resources?

A) Because cooperation helps to reinforce each individual's personal identity.
B) Because cooperation helps opposing group members re-categorize themselves as one unit.
C) Because cooperation helps to highlight differences between groups.
D) Because cooperation helps to create positive stereotypes of out-group members.

Question 63

Which of the following factors is important in ensuring the effectiveness of intergroup cooperation?

A) The groups should work toward a mutually desired goal.
B) The groups should be provided with the opportunity to achieve successful results.
C) The groups should be equal.
D) All of the above

Question 64

When nations work together to reduce greenhouse gasses in an effort to stop global warming they are engaged in the pursuit of _________.

A) Superordinate goals
B) An integrative solution
C) A distributive solution
D) Vicarious retribution

Question 65

In the classic Robbers cave study, how did the researchers eventually reduce the amount of conflict between the two groups of boys?

A) They encouraged them to engage in sporting competitions for fabulous prizes.
B) They arranged for the boys to have meals at the same time.
C) They had the boys work together to restart a broken down truck.
D) They arranged for the boys to watch a movie together.

Question 66

A recently divorced couple is communicating with each other via their lawyers to reach an agreement on how to divide up their assets. This couple is most specifically going through the process of:

A) Negotiation
B) Mediation
C) Arbitration
D) Reactive devaluation

Question 67

If you are about to engage in negotiations with someone from an individualistic culture, which strategy should you use?

A) A competitive strategy
B) A problem-solving strategy
C) Compromise
D) Withdraw from the negotiation

Question 68

Which of the following statements about negotiations is FALSE?

A) Negotiations involve reciprocal communication
B) Parties who try to negotiate under time pressure tend to reach less integrative solutions.
C) In negotiation situations, the two parties often exaggerate their disagreement and fail to see when they are in agreement.
D) Negotiators are most successful when they repeatedly state their overall conflicting goals, rather than focusing on specific issues.

Question 69

When conflicts are settled by _______ solutions, the two sides make concessions and agree to a mutual compromise. In contrast, when conflicts are settled by _______ solutions, one side's gain is not necessarily the other side's loss, instead both sides win.

A) dictatorial; distributive
B) distributive; integrative
C) integrative; dictatorial
D) distributive; dictatorial

Question 70

To prevent someone from behaving in an aggressive way, what advice should you give them?

A) Tell them to play a pro-social video game.
B) Tell them to count to 10.
C) Tell them to engage in self-distancing.
D) All of the above

Question 71

Which of the following statements about gun control is FALSE?

A) When Jamaica implemented strict gun control laws and censored gun scenes from television and movies, robbery and shooting rates dropped dramatically.
B) After a mass shooting, the Australian government passed more restrictive gun laws and organized a massive gun buyback program and the risk of death by shooting dropped by over 50%.
C) When Washington D.C. passed a handgun-control law, other methods of murder and suicide that did not involve guns increased.
D) The ready availability of guns increases aggression.

Question 72

Imagine a fictitious country in which the Alphas and the Betas have been at war for years. Based on the information provided in your text, in which of the following scenarios will the Alphas be most likely to seek complete domination or destruction of the Betas?

A) When the Betas have more power than the Alphas.
B) When the Alphas have morally excluded the Betas.
C) When individual Alphas experience moral outrage at the idea of continued war with the Betas.
D) When individual Alphas are made to see Betas as human beings.

Question 73

Even purposefully not telling someone that they are in imminent danger could be considered an act of aggression.