Question 1

Which of the following phenomena best illustrates the relationship between social influence and behavior?

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon of cycling faster when people are watching you (as opposed to when you are alone) is known as social facilitation, which illustrates how the presence of others can influence behavior. In this case, the presence of others (who are watching the cyclist) leads to improved performance (cycling faster). Choices A, B, and D do not relate directly to the concept of social influence.

Question 2

Which of the following scenarios is LEAST consistent with the fundamental attribution error?

Accepted Answer

Option D is least consistent with fundamental attribution error because it offers a situational explanation for the behavior rather than assuming the behavior reflects a stable trait of the person. The other options attribute the behavior to a stable trait of the person rather than considering situational factors that may have influenced the behavior.

Question 3

Research on ______________ suggests it is ______________ for people to assume that dispositions are the underlying causes of most behaviors.

Accepted Answer

The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency for people to overemphasize dispositional (personality) explanations for someone's behavior rather than considering situational factors. This bias is common and occurs across cultures.

Question 4

Jacquie and Karen are both interested in the topic of divorce.Jacquie is a social psychologist and Karen is a sociologist.Compared to Karen, which of the following questions is Jacquie most likely to ask?

Accepted Answer

As a social psychologist, Jacquie is more interested in understanding the psychological processes and motivations that contribute to divorce than in investigating large-scale social patterns or demographic factors like education, geography, or legal systems. Therefore, she is most likely to ask a question related to the emotional or interpersonal dynamics of divorce, such as why infidelity often leads to the end of a marriage.

Question 5

Social psychologists differ from personality psychologists because social psychologists tend to

Accepted Answer

Social psychologists focus on the impact of social situations on behavior, while personality psychologists study individual differences in personality traits. Therefore, option C is the best choice because it highlights the unique emphasis of social psychologists. Option A is incorrect because correlational research is used by various psychological disciplines, including personality psychology. Option B is incorrect because genetic factors are acknowledged as playing a role in social behavior by social psychologists, although they focus primarily on environmental factors. Option D is incorrect because social psychologists do not prioritize individual differences in behavior as much as personality psychologists do.

Question 6

Sandra thinks that smiling a lot during a job interview increases a person's chances of getting a job offer.The main difference between Sandra's folk theory and social psychological theories is that social psychological theories are

Accepted Answer

Social psychological theories are based on empirical evidence and are put to the test using scientific methods, while folk theories are based on personal experiences and common sense beliefs. Therefore, the main difference between Sandra's folk theory and social psychological theories is that social psychological theories are tested and validated through research, while folk theories are not necessarily supported by empirical evidence.

Question 7

____________ psychology stresses the fact that objects are perceived by active, usually unconscious, interpretations of what the object represents as a whole.

Accepted Answer

The concept of perceiving objects as a whole and the role of unconscious interpretation is a core tenet of Gestalt psychology.

Question 8

Which of the following is LEAST characteristic of the goals of social psychology?

Accepted Answer

Social psychology primarily focuses on how social influences affect individual behavior and thought processes, rather than on personality traits, which are more the focus of personality psychology.

Question 9

The "Good Samaritan" study conducted by Darley and Batson (1973)examined helping behavior in seminary students at Princeton University.These students were either rushed or not rushed to get to an appointment.Results of this study showed that

Accepted Answer

The study found that the primary factor affecting helping behavior was whether the participants were rushed or not, rather than their religious orientation.

Question 10

Which of the following Supreme Court rulings was heavily influenced by social psychological research?

Accepted Answer

Brown v. Board of Education, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, was heavily influenced by social psychological research, specifically the "doll tests" conducted by Kenneth and Mamie Clark. The Clarks' research provided evidence that segregation had a negative impact on black children's self-esteem and identity development, which was used in the Supreme Court decision.

Question 11

Social psychology can be defined as the ____________ study of the ____________ of individuals in social situations.

Accepted Answer

Social psychology is a scientific field that studies not only the overt behaviors of individuals in social situations but also their internal experiences, such as emotions and thoughts. The scientific aspect refers to the use of rigorous methods to gather data and test hypotheses. Therefore, option C is the most comprehensive and accurate definition of social psychology.

Question 12

The president of a fraternity wants to increase the number of fraternity members who volunteer for nonprofit organizations in the community.Kurt Lewin's concept of channel factors suggests the president should

Accepted Answer

Channel factors are small but critical facilitators that help people take action. Providing information about when and how to volunteer can make it easier for members to follow through on their intentions to volunteer.

Question 13

Your waiter seems to be doing everything wrong.He has forgotten to take your drink order.He delivers someone else's food to your table.He does not come out and say it, but his facial expressions seem to say he'd rather be someplace else.If you assume his behavior is caused primarily by ____________, your assumption is consistent with the fundamental attribution error.

Accepted Answer

The fundamental attribution error is a tendency to overemphasize dispositional explanations for someone's behavior and to underemphasize situational factors. In this scenario, assuming that the waiter's behavior is caused primarily by his disposition (i.e., he is lazy, careless, or lacking in customer service skills) is consistent with the fundamental attribution error.

Question 14

Which of the following concepts is most relevant to people who want to get someone to act on his or her intentions?

Accepted Answer

Channel factors are the situational factors that can influence behavior and make it easier or harder to act on intentions. Therefore, understanding channel factors is important in order to effectively persuade someone to act on their intentions.

Question 15

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder" and "out of sight, out of mind" are both common sayings.A(n)____________ is most likely to conduct an experiment to identify the conditions or situations under which each of these assertions is accurate.

Accepted Answer

Social psychologists focus on the interactions between individuals and groups, and how they can influence attitudes, behavior, and emotions. Therefore, they are the most likely to study and experiment with the effects of absence or presence on emotions and relationships, which are the topics related to these two sayings.

Question 16

The term construal refers to

Accepted Answer

Construal refers to an individual's personal interpretation of situations and other people's behaviors. It is a subjective and unique perspective that is influenced by personal beliefs, experiences, and biases.

Question 17

Kurt Lewin's concept, the field of forces, emphasizes that ____________ underlie(s)much of human behavior.

Accepted Answer

According to Kurt Lewin's concept of the field of forces, the characteristics of a situation, including the social, psychological, and environmental factors, influence and shape human behavior. This theory focuses on the idea that behavior is a result of the interaction between a person and their environment, and both internal and external factors are constantly influencing and shaping behavior.

Question 18

According to social psychologists, which of the following conditions is most likely to make someone do what an authority figure says to do-even if it involves hurting someone?

Accepted Answer

People are more likely to follow orders from an authority figure if they can shift the responsibility for their actions onto that authority, reducing their own sense of personal accountability.

Question 19

The classic Milgram study showed that about

Accepted Answer

In the classic Milgram study, 60 percent of participants delivered a 450-volt shock to the "learner." This demonstrated the willingness of individuals to obey authority figures, even when it goes against their own moral values. It is important to note that the study has been criticized for ethical issues and lack of ecological validity, but it remains a landmark study in social psychology.

Question 20

Kurt Lewin, the founder of modern social psychology, argued that the effects of psychological forces can be understood in the same way that ____________ are understood.

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin believed that psychological forces could be understood in the same way as physical forces, with the idea that actions and reactions are influenced by these forces.

Quiz 1: An Invitation to Social Psychology