Question 1

Research by Baron and colleagues (1996) demonstrated that merely hearing one's opinion about the comforts of a dental chair corroborated by another led to

Accepted Answer

The research by Baron and colleagues (1996) found that hearing one's opinion about the comforts of a dental chair supported by another led to more extreme ratings of the chair, suggesting a heightened level of confirmation bias.

Question 2

Research by Vorauer and Ratner (1996) demonstrated that people wanting to begin a relationship often wait for a positive cue from the other person. Because of ___________, sometimes this cue never comes and a relationship is not formed.

Accepted Answer

Pluralistic ignorance occurs when people rely on the behaviors of others to determine how to act themselves. In the context of beginning a relationship, people may not initiate because they fear rejection or think others are not interested, even though everyone may actually be interested in forming a relationship. Thus, people may not send positive cues and a relationship may not form.

Question 3

Failing to ask questions in class because you assume everyone else understands best exemplifies

Accepted Answer

Pluralistic ignorance is the phenomenon where people refrain from taking action because they assume everyone else is interpreting a situation differently. In this case, a student may not ask questions in class because they assume everyone else already understands the material and they don't want to appear ignorant.

Question 4

Research on the underlying processes producing group polarization indicates that persuasive arguments predominate on issues having a(n) _________ basis and social comparison predominates on issues having a _________ basis.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that group polarization occurs due to two underlying processes: persuasive arguments and social comparison. Persuasive arguments tend to prevail on issues that have a factual basis, where people can compare facts and evidence to reach a conclusion. On the other hand, social comparison tends to predominate on issues that have a value-laden basis, where people look to others in their group to see what the norm is and how to conform to it. Therefore, Choice C is the best answer as it correctly identifies the two types of issues where persuasive arguments and social comparison are likely to be the dominant factors in group polarization.

Question 5

Closed-mindedness is most clearly fostered by which of the following symptoms of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Closed-mindedness is most clearly fostered by which...

Question 6

Groupthink can be defined as

Accepted Answer

Groupthink refers to a situation where group harmony and cohesion is prioritized over critical evaluation of ideas, leading to the suppression of dissenting opinions or alternative viewpoints. This can result in poor decision-making, as important information or perspectives are overlooked or ignored.

Question 7

According to your text, Captain Smith of the Titanic believed that "God himself could not sink this ship." Which symptom of groupthink is most indicative of his belief?

Accepted Answer

Captain Smith's belief that the Titanic was invulnerable to sinking is indicative of the symptom of illusion of invulnerability in groupthink. This symptom involves the group believing that they are invincible and can do no wrong, which can lead to risky and reckless decision-making.

Question 8

Evaluating one's opinion and abilities by comparing oneself to others is called

Accepted Answer

Social comparison is the process of evaluating one's opinions and abilities by comparing oneself to others. Social influence refers to the way that people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of others. Informational influence occurs when people conform to the behavior or opinions of others because they believe that others have more accurate knowledge about a situation. The accentuation phenomenon refers to the tendency for differences between similar stimuli to be accentuated when they are compared.

Question 9

What underlying processes help to explain the occurrence of group polarization?

Accepted Answer

Group polarization occurs due to two primary underlying processes - informational influence and normative influence. Informational influence occurs when individuals come to a group with different opinions and beliefs but are exposed to new information and arguments that support their original views, leading them to become more extreme in their position. Normative influence occurs when individuals want to be accepted and gain approval from the group, leading them to conform to the group's opinion and become even more extreme in their position.

Question 10

Pressures toward uniformity are most clearly reflected in which of the following symptoms of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Self-censorship refers to individuals within the group withholding their opinions or ideas in order to conform to the group's norms and maintain harmony. This is an example of pressures toward uniformity, as individuals may suppress unique ideas in order to conform to the group's way of thinking.

Question 11

Norman Triplett is to ________________ as Irving Janis is to __________________.

Accepted Answer

Norman Triplett is known for his research on social facilitation, which is the phenomenon where individuals perform better on simple tasks when in the presence of others.

Irving Janis is known for his research on groupthink, which is the phenomenon where a group of people make faulty decisions due to the desire for conformity and unanimity within the group.

Question 12

According to Festinger, it is human nature to want to evaluate our opinions by

Accepted Answer

Festinger proposed that we evaluate our opinions by comparing ourselves with other people. This is known as social comparison theory, which suggests that we engage in this behavior to gain information about ourselves and to reduce uncertainty about our beliefs and abilities.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a symptom of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Closure is not a symptom of groupthink. The other choices, an illusion of invulnerability, unquestioned beliefs in the group's morality, and rationalization, are all classic symptoms of groupthink.

Question 14

The symptoms of groupthink illustrate which of the following social psychological processes?

Accepted Answer

Conformity, self-serving bias, and self-justification are all social psychological processes that can contribute to the symptoms of groupthink.

Question 15

According to Janis, the tragedy on the Titanic was likely the result of

Accepted Answer

Janis argued that the tragedy on the Titanic was the result of groupthink, which occurs when a group prioritizes conformity and unanimity over critical thinking and independent decision-making. Groupthink can lead to flawed decisions and actions, such as the Titanic's crew's failure to take proper safety precautions and evacuate the ship efficiently.

Question 16

Pluralistic ignorance is

Accepted Answer

Pluralistic ignorance is a phenomenon where people in a group have a false impression of how others in the group are thinking, feeling, or responding. It can involve all three aspects - thinking, feeling, and responding - which is why D is the best choice.

Question 17

"Mindguards" protect group leaders from

Accepted Answer

Mindguards are individuals who protect the group leader from disagreeable facts or information that may challenge their beliefs or decisions. They shield the leader from any information that may cause them to question their decisions or beliefs. Therefore, the best choice is B, disagreeable facts.

Question 18

Janet is a very directive leader of a highly cohesive student group on campus. When discussing important policy decisions, the group will be at greatest risk for groupthink if it is also

Accepted Answer

Isolation from dissenting viewpoints is a key factor in groupthink, as it creates a situation where the group becomes insulated from alternative ideas and perspectives. This can lead to a narrowing of focus and a tendency to ignore potential flaws in decision-making processes. As such, if Janet's group is isolated from dissenting viewpoints, they will be at a greater risk for groupthink.

Question 19

According to the text, groupthink symptoms can be viewed as

Accepted Answer

Groupthink symptoms, such as an illusion of invulnerability and a belief in the inherent morality of the group, can be viewed as a collective form of dissonance reduction where members of a group minimize conflicts or discrepancies between their initially held assumptions and the group's opinions or actions.

Question 20

Keisha, who usually votes for the NDP, is approached by a co-worker who tells her that he wants to talk to her about the upcoming election. Thinking that her co-worker may be campaigning for the Alliance Party, Keisha prepares to

Accepted Answer

Keisha's usual tendency is to vote for the NDP, so it makes sense for her to offer a strong statement of support for her chosen party. This way, she is not swayed by her co-worker's views and can stick to her own beliefs.

Quiz 7: Group Influence