Question 1

A relationship is said to be unbalanced if a married couple:

Accepted Answer

The option C describes a situation where there is a lack of consensus between the couple, and one partner does not value the opinion of the other, leading to an unbalanced relationship dynamic. This can cause further issues in the relationship if not addressed properly. The other options (A, B, and D) do not necessarily indicate an unbalanced relationship.

Question 2

According to Festinger, which of the following is NOT one of the ways cognitions about ourselves and the world can be related?

Accepted Answer

Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance identifies three ways cognitions can be related: irrelevant (not related), consonant (consistent), and dissonant (inconsistent). "Relevant" is not one of the categories he described for the relationships between cognitions.

Question 3

Cognitive dissonance is aroused when:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance is the feeling of discomfort or psychological stress that arises from holding two or more inconsistent beliefs, attitudes, or values at the same time, or from engaging in behavior that is inconsistent with one's beliefs, attitudes, or values. Therefore, cognitions that are inconsistent (option C) would be the trigger for cognitive dissonance.

Question 4

In Heider's _____ theory, relationships between people and objects may be positive or negative.

Accepted Answer

Heider's balance theory suggests that relationships between people and objects can be in either a state of balance or imbalance. When relationships are balanced, individuals tend to have positive attitudes towards each other and objects. In contrast, when relationships are imbalanced, individuals may experience tension and discomfort. Therefore, the correct choice is C, as social facilitation, positive fitting, and social loafing do not specifically address the positivity or negativity of relationships.

Question 5

In the Aronson and Carlsmith (1963) experiment, the threat of _____ punishment was more effective than the threat of _____ punishment at reducing children's desire to misbehave.

Accepted Answer

In the Aronson and Carlsmith (1963) experiment, the researchers found that the threat of mild punishment, such as a stern verbal reprimand, was more effective than the threat of strong punishment, such as being sent to bed without dinner, at reducing children's desire to misbehave. The researchers theorized that mild punishment was more effective because it allowed the children to maintain their sense of autonomy and control, whereas strong punishment threatened their autonomy and led to reactance.

Question 6

In Festinger and Carlsmith's study, the $1 group had insufficient _____ for engaging in behavior contrary to their attitudes about the experiment, thus causing them to enjoy the experiment more.

Accepted Answer

Festinger and Carlsmith's study found that the $1 group had insufficient justification for engaging in behavior contrary to their attitudes about the experiment, which led them to change their attitudes to align with their behaviors and enjoy the experiment more. Money, time, and social loafing were not the main factors involved in their findings.

Question 7

Festinger developed _____ theory to explain cognitive consistency motivation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Festinger developed _____ theory to explain cognitive...

Question 8

In Festinger and Carlsmith's experiment, which group rated the experiment ass the most enjoyable?

Accepted Answer

The participants who were paid $1 rated the experiment as the most enjoyable. Festinger and Carlsmith's experiment examined cognitive dissonance and the participants were asked to complete a boring task for an hour and then tell the next participant that the task was enjoyable. The participants who were paid $1 experienced a greater dissonance between their attitude and behavior, which may have led them to rate the experiment as more enjoyable to reduce their cognitive dissonance.

Question 9

Festinger and Carlsmith performed and experiment in which students were paid either nothing, $1, or $20 to lie about a boring task. Which of the following is NOT true about the results of that experiment? The students who were paid:

Accepted Answer

The statement "students who were paid $1 did change their minds about the experimental task" is true, so option B is true. Option A is also true since the students who were paid nothing did not experience any cognitive dissonance. Option C is partially true, but it's not the full story. Festinger and Carlsmith found that students who were paid $20 showed less cognitive dissonance than those who were paid only $1. However, it's not entirely accurate to say that they did not change their minds about the experimental task. Option D is false because, as mentioned before, the students who were paid $1 did experience cognitive dissonance and a change in attitude towards the task.

Question 10

According to Festinger's report on a group which prophesied that a flood would destroy their city, when the prophecy failed:

Accepted Answer

Festinger's study on cognitive dissonance found that when a prophecy fails, the believers may actually strengthen their beliefs to reduce the dissonance between reality and their expectations, as observed in the case of the group expecting a flood.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a major criticism of the cognitive dissonance theory?

Accepted Answer

The major criticism of cognitive dissonance theory is not that there is only one way to reduce dissonance, but rather that there are several ways to reduce dissonance. Other criticisms include that the theory is too vague and that other explanations for behaviors are not ruled out.

Question 12

Individuals who expend more effort than others to achieve a desired goal are:

Accepted Answer

According to the effort justification theory, individuals who put in more effort to achieve a goal tend to value the goal more highly than those who achieve it with less effort. This is because they perceive the effort put in as a justification for the value and significance of the goal. Therefore, they are more likely to experience an increase in perceived value of the goal.

Question 13

According to Festinger, the method most chosen to reduce cognitive dissonance is:

Accepted Answer

Festinger proposed that people tend to choose the easiest method to reduce cognitive dissonance. This means that people are more likely to choose the method that requires less effort, time, or cost to resolve the conflicting beliefs or behaviors.

Question 14

According to Bem's self-perception theory:

Accepted Answer

According to Bem's self-perception theory, we observe our own behavior and make inferences about our internal states or attitudes based on it, much like an outsider would. The theory does not propose a state of tension or behavior based on perception of emotion.

Question 15

The first _____ theory was developed by Fritz Heider.

Accepted Answer

Fritz Heider developed the cognitive consistency theory, which suggests that individuals strive to maintain consistency and harmony in their beliefs and attitudes. This theory explains how people make sense of and react to inconsistencies in their social environment.

Question 16

People who reduce their fat intake to reduce dissonance associated with diet and heart disease are using which of the following dissonance reducing techniques?

Accepted Answer

People reducing their fat intake to align their behavior with their beliefs about diet and heart disease are using behavior change as a technique to reduce cognitive dissonance. This involves altering their actions to be consistent with their attitudes or knowledge, thereby reducing the psychological discomfort associated with holding contradictory beliefs.

Question 17

Which of the following is an unbalanced relationship?

Accepted Answer

An unbalanced relationship occurs when there is an odd number of negative relationships, which creates tension or imbalance. In option D, having 2 positive and 1 negative relationship results in an unbalanced situation.

Question 18

Cognitive consistency theories assume all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive consistency theories assume that individuals are motivated to decrease or eliminate inconsistencies because inconsistencies are unpleasant. Rationalization is often used to decrease inconsistencies. However, these theories do not suggest that individuals enjoy the variety of inconsistencies.

Question 19

Charlie smokes but believes smoking causes cancer. In order to reduce cognitive dissonance, he decides that smoking does not really cause cancer. What has he changed to reduce dissonance?

Accepted Answer

Charlie changed his belief about the relationship between smoking and cancer in order to reduce cognitive dissonance. This is an example of changing cognition, or a belief system, to reduce dissonance.

Question 20

Studies of postdecisional dissonance and selective exposure to information demonstrate all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that postdecisional dissonance can lead to regret, but it is not always the case. Option A is true- commitment to choice is not necessary for postdecisional dissonance. Option C is also true- individuals tend to seek information that supports their choice and reject information that contradicts it. Option D is false- regret of choice can occur as a result of postdecisional dissonance.

Quiz 9: Cognitive Motivation: Social Motivation and Consistency