Question 1

Based on the information about prejudice in your textbook, what is the most likely outcome of extending marriage rights to same-sex couples in the long run?

Accepted Answer

According to the textbook, one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice is through increased contact and familiarity with members of the stigmatized group. Allowing same-sex couples to marry would increase the visibility and normalization of same-sex relationships, leading to more contact and familiarity, and ultimately a decrease in anti-gay prejudice. Additionally, research has shown that legalizing same-sex marriage is associated with a decrease in mental health disparities for LGBTQ individuals, indicating a positive long-term effect on both prejudice reduction and the well-being of the LGBTQ community.

Question 2

Mario heard that another man on campuses was violently mugged late at night over the weekend. Mario says to his friend Renata "The guy was probably a drug dealer waiting to make a sale." Mario seems to be a supporter of:

Accepted Answer

Mario's statement implicates the just-world hypothesis, which suggests that people get what they deserve and that actions have their corresponding consequences. By suggesting that the man who was mugged was a drug dealer, Mario is attributing the cause of the event to the victim's "bad" behavior (i.e., dealing drugs). This belief upholds the idea that people who engage in risky behaviors deserve the negative consequences that may arise from them.

Question 3

David asks Nadir if he can bring some boxes to his apartment so he can move. When Nadir gets there, David asks if Nadir would put some textbooks in a box for him. Soon Nadir has packed the whole bookshelf and most of the kitchen. What social psychology process caused this to happen?

Accepted Answer

The social psychology process that caused this to happen is entrapment, in which an individual becomes increasingly committed to a course of action to justify their prior investment. In this case, Nadir agreed to help David move, and then was asked to do additional tasks (packing textbooks, then more items) which he was more likely to agree to as he had already made a commitment to help.

Question 4

Discuss the following causes or origins of prejudice and provide examples to illustrate your points: psychological, social, cultural, and economic.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the following causes or origins of...

Question 5

Discuss why it is difficult to measure prejudice today by directly asking individuals if they are prejudiced, and distinguish between explicit and implicit prejudice. Then, discuss five clever ways psychologists have for measuring implicit forms of prejudice.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss why it is difficult to measure...

Question 6

What is cognitive dissonance? Provide an example that illustrates how cognitive dissonance can lead people to change their attitudes. Make sure to explain the cause of the cognitive dissonance in your example.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is cognitive dissonance? Provide an example...

Question 7

Describe the two general types of attributions people use to explain the behaviour of themselves and others, and discuss key concepts in attribution theory, such as the fundamental attribution error, the self-serving bias, and the just-world hypothesis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the two general types of attributions...

Question 8

Angie and Mila are concerned that their brother Ramone has joined a cult. Which of the following would confirm their fear?

Accepted Answer

Ramone being given a new name and told that all of his problems are a part of his past are signs of cult manipulation and brainwashing techniques. This behavior is designed to break down a person's individuality and make them reliant on the group and its leader.

Question 9

The obedience study conducted by Stanley Milgram has become world famous. Explain, in detail, the procedures that Milgram used in his study and then evaluate his results. What conclusions did Milgram reach? How have critics reacted to his research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The obedience study conducted by Stanley Milgram...

Question 10

According to research discussed in your textbook, prejudice is reduced when:

Accepted Answer

According to the textbook, prejudice is reduced when members of different groups are made to cooperate with each other to achieve a goal. This is because when people work together towards a common goal, they begin to see each other as individuals rather than simply as members of a particular group, which can help to break down stereotypes and reduce prejudice. Choices A, B, and D are not as effective in reducing prejudice. Pretending to like each other may not be genuine and can even have the opposite effect by causing people to feel uncomfortable and resentful. Intellectual and moral arguments against prejudice may not be persuasive to those who hold prejudiced beliefs.

Question 11

One common form of oversimplification is argument by anecdote. Anecdotes are often a source of stereotyping as well. Explain how an anecdote might be a source of stereotyping. Illustrate your explanation with an example that could show how a stereotype could develop.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One common form of oversimplification is argument...

Question 12

In the textbook's first chapter, we read about the critical thinking principles "Don't Oversimplify" and "Consider Other Interpretations." How do these guidelines relate to social psychology with regard to attribution, especially when encounters occur with those from other cultures?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Dr. Petterson is conducting a study to confirm earlier research findings that people who believe in the just-world hypothesis are more likely to:

Accepted Answer

The just-world hypothesis suggests that people believe the world is inherently fair, and that individuals get what they deserve. This can lead people to blame victims of crimes for their own misfortune, as they may believe that the victim did something to deserve the crime that happened to them. Therefore, believing in the just-world hypothesis is correlated with blaming the victim of a violent crime.

Question 14

The "banality of evil" means that:

Accepted Answer

The "banality of evil" concept, coined by philosopher Hannah Arendt, refers to the idea that evil acts are not necessarily committed by inherently evil people, but rather by ordinary people who are simply following orders or conforming to societal norms. This suggests that evil is commonplace and can occur in most societies and nations.

Question 15

Dissent and altruism are a matter of personal conviction, but situational factors are involved also. Analyze four situational factors that are involved when a person decides to "rock the boat" and choose conscience over conformity.

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

The mayor in your city has been dealing with a clash between downtown business owners and the homeless. Business owners are constantly calling the police about loitering and homeless people often vandalize "unfriendly" businesses. The mayor decides to set up a program where business owners and the homeless have a luncheon at the park together and each business owner is matched to a homeless person who they "sponsor" for the year, providing food and clean clothes throughout the year. The program is a huge success and the conflicts between the groups end within a year. The success can be explained by:

Accepted Answer

The success can be explained by the contact hypothesis, which suggests that bringing members of different groups together in a positive context can reduce prejudice and improve intergroup relations. By setting up the luncheon and sponsor program, the business owners and homeless individuals were able to interact and get to know each other as individuals, rather than just as members of opposing groups. This led to increased understanding and empathy, which helped to resolve the conflicts between them.

Question 17

Terry and Paulette are driving through downtown Toronto. Terry gestures to a homeless person and says "If he wasn't so lazy he wouldn't be homeless!" What is Terry doing?

Accepted Answer

Terry is making a dispositional attribution by assuming that the homeless person's situation is based on his own personal characteristics or choices (being lazy) rather than considering external factors such as lack of opportunities or mental illness.

Question 18

Solomon Asch, in his experiments testing conformity, wanted to know what people would do when a group unanimously contradicted an obvious fact. What was found in Asch's studies and in the many replications of his work?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Solomon Asch, in his experiments testing conformity,...

Question 19

Annike is late for work (again) and her boss calls her into her office to talk about the problem. What is Annike MOST likely to say is the reason she is late?

Accepted Answer

People often attribute their behavior to external rather than internal causes when explaining their actions to others, especially in situations that might reflect poorly on them. In this case, blaming the buses (an external factor) is more likely than admitting personal shortcomings or habits.

Quiz 8: Behaviour in Social and Cultural Context