Question 1

Keisha, who usually votes for the NDP (New Democratic Party), 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 usually votes for the NDP, so the best choice is to offer a strong statement of support for the party. It is not necessary to consider the merits of the Alliance Party or discuss both parties' strengths and weaknesses if Keisha is already loyal to the NDP.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a social psychological phenomenon that occurs when a group of people are highly cohesive and have a strong desire to reach consensus. This can lead to the group making decisions that are not in the best interests of the group or its members. The symptoms of groupthink include:* **Self-serving bias:** The tendency to see oneself and one's group in a positive light.* **Self-justification:** The tendency to rationalize one's own behavior, even when it is harmful to others.* **Conformity:** The tendency to go along with the group, even when one disagrees with the group's decision.

Question 3

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

Groupthink occurs when a group values harmony and agreement over critical thinking and analysis. If the group is isolated from dissenting viewpoints, they will be more likely to conform to the dominant opinion within the group, leading to groupthink. Therefore, option A is the best choice.

Question 4

Groupthink can be defined as

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a phenomenon where group members prioritize harmony and consensus over critical thinking and rational decision-making. This often results in the suppression of dissenting opinions or ideas, which can lead to poor outcomes or flawed decision-making.

Question 5

Which of the following is not a prescriptive strategy to prevent groupthink from developing?

Accepted Answer

Keeping group members together without dividing them into subgroups is not a commonly prescribed strategy for preventing groupthink. The other options (assigning a devil's advocate, having outsiders attend meetings, and calling a second-chance meeting to express remaining doubts) are all recommended strategies for preventing groupthink.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Norman Triplett is known for his work on social facilitation, which is the tendency for people to perform differently when in the presence of others than when alone. Irving Janis is known for his theory of groupthink, which is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome.

Question 7

According to the text, faulty ___________ have been linked with disasters such as airline crashes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, faulty ___________ have...

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Self-censorship refers to the tendency for group members to keep their dissenting opinions to themselves in order to maintain group harmony and avoid conflict. This pressure toward uniformity reflects a desire to conform to the prevailing norms of the group, which is a key aspect of groupthink. While the other symptoms listed (an illusion of invulnerability, a stereotyped view of the opponent, and rationalization) are also associated with groupthink, they do not specifically reflect pressures toward uniformity.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Janis proposed that the tragedy on the Titanic was caused by groupthink, which occurs when a group of individuals prioritize consensus and harmony over critical thinking and independent decision-making. In the case of the Titanic, the crew and passengers were influenced by the dominant belief that the ship was unsinkable, which led to complacency and a lack of precautionary measures. The failure to challenge this belief and consider potential risks ultimately contributed to the disaster.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Pluralistic ignorance is the phenomenon in which individuals assume that everyone else in a group has a better understanding of a situation or concept, leading them to withhold their own opinions or questions. In this scenario, the individual assumes that everyone else understands the material, and therefore does not ask questions, even if they are confused.

Question 11

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 12

Pluralistic ignorance is

Accepted Answer

Pluralistic ignorance is a phenomenon in which individuals privately reject a norm, belief, or behavior but incorrectly assume that others accept it, often leading to conformity. This can result in a false impression of how others are thinking, responding, and feeling. Therefore, all the choices are correct.

Question 13

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 persuasive arguments are more likely to dominate on issues with a factual basis, while social comparison is more likely to dominate on issues with a value-laden basis. Therefore, option C, which says factual and value-laden, best captures these two types of issues.

Question 14

Which of the following comments is most likely to be made in a group characterized by groupthink?

Accepted Answer

The comment in choice A suggests that the group values agreement and may suppress dissenting opinions, which is characteristic of groupthink. The other choices imply openness to dissent and outside input, which is not typical of a group suffering from groupthink.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Festinger's theory of social comparison suggests that humans have a basic need to evaluate their opinions and abilities by comparing themselves with others. This comparison allows individuals to gain a sense of their own worth and competence. Therefore, Choice A is the best answer.

Question 16

Which of the following is not a symptom of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Mindguards protect group leaders from

Accepted Answer

Mindguards are individuals within a group who shield the leader from disagreeable facts or information that may challenge the group's beliefs or decisions.

Question 18

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 invincible despite warnings and precautions taken by the crew and others is indicative of the symptom of illusion of invulnerability, which is a key feature of groupthink. This symptom is characterized by extreme optimism and a sense of overconfidence, which can lead to complacency and a lack of preparation for potential negative outcomes.

Question 19

According to the text, groupthink symptoms can be viewed as

Accepted Answer

Groupthink symptoms can be viewed as a collective form of dissonance reduction, where group members prioritize maintaining harmony over critical thinking and independent decision-making.

Question 20

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 refers to the phenomenon where individuals believe that others do not share their thoughts or feelings about a particular situation, leading to a lack of action or inaction. In the context of beginning a relationship, individuals may believe that their potential partner is not interested in them, when in reality the partner is waiting for a positive cue as well. This can lead to a missed opportunity for a relationship to form.

Quiz 7: Group Influence

Keisha, who usually votes for the NDP (New Democratic Party) , 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