Question 1

University students who receive unusually high scores on their first biology test can reasonably expect to receive ____________ scores on their second biology test.

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon of regression toward the mean suggests that if a student scores exceptionally high on their first test, their second test score is likely to be lower, though still above average. This is because the first score may be partly due to variables that don't consistently recur, such as luck or a particularly strong grasp of the topics on the first test.

Question 2

After two years of intense publications (four per year), Ela's research productivity drops to one published paper per year. What term best explains Ela's fewer publications after two years of intense productivity?

Accepted Answer

Regression toward the average refers to the tendency for extreme observations or measures to become less extreme or move closer to the average over time. In this case, Ela's productivity was initially high (an extreme observation), but over time it regressed toward the average level of productivity for her (less extreme).

Question 3

The prolonged debates that surround social issues, such as whether a homeless person is lacking initiative or has been victimized by job and social assistance cutbacks, illustrate how people attempt to

Accepted Answer

All of the choices are correct. The debates surrounding social issues typically involve people making judgments about responsibility, attributions about behavior, and explanations for why people act the way they do.

Question 4

We are especially likely to analyze and discuss why things happen when the event in question is

Accepted Answer

When negative or unexpected events occur, people tend to search for reasons and explanations to make sense of what happened, which can lead to analysis and discussion. On the other hand, positive events or altruistic acts may not be seen as needing the same level of analysis or discussion, as they are viewed as desirable outcomes or behaviors.

Question 5

Joseph Forgas and his colleagues found that participants' judgments of their own videotaped behaviours were more positive if, while they watched the videotape, they were

Accepted Answer

As per the given passage, Joseph Forgas and his colleagues found that the participants' judgments of their own videotaped behaviours were more positive if they were in a good mood while watching the videotape.

Question 6

When peoples' memories and judgments change with their moods it is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Mood infusion refers to the phenomenon where an individual's current mood, positive or negative, can influence their judgments and memories. This means that, depending on the individual's current mood, they may remember things differently or make different judgments about a situation.

Question 7

Research indicates that compared to unhappy people, happy people

Accepted Answer

Research has found that happy people tend to exhibit all of these traits. They tend to be more trusting and loving, choose long-term rewards over immediate pleasure, and tolerate frustration better than unhappy people.

Question 8

Dottie has the illusory belief that there is a correlation between washing her car and the occurrence of rain in her area. According to research, Dottie is now much more likely to notice when

Accepted Answer

Dottie has the illusory belief that there is a correlation between washing her car and the occurrence of rain in her area. Therefore, she is more likely to notice when it rains and she has just washed her car, as this confirms her belief.

Question 9

Which of the following is the most likely attribution to be made by someone in an unhappy marriage?

Accepted Answer

Someone in an unhappy marriage is more likely to make a negative attribution about their partner's behavior, such as assuming that they don't care about them, rather than making a neutral or positive attribution like heavy traffic or a long line at the grocery store.

Question 10

Moods can affect our thinking by

Accepted Answer

Moods can trigger memories associated with those moods. For example, when we are in a good mood, we might remember positive events more readily than negative events. Similarly, when we are in a bad mood, we might be more likely to remember negative events.

Question 11

Dice players who throw softly to get low numbers and harder to get high numbers demonstrate

Accepted Answer

This behavior demonstrates the illusion of control, which is the belief that individuals have more control over random events than they actually do. The force with which the dice are thrown does not actually affect the outcome, as it is purely determined by chance.

Question 12

According to the textbook, "mood infusion" refers to how

Accepted Answer

"Mood infusion" is defined in the textbook as the way in which people's mood can influence their memories and judgments. Option A correctly summarizes this definition. Option B is incorrect as it suggests that thoughts and knowledge can cause a change in mood, while the concept refers to the opposite direction of influence (mood affecting thoughts). Option C and D are also incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the definition of the term.

Question 13

When baseball's rookie-of-the-year has a more ordinary second year, we should not be surprised. This fact is easily explained by

Accepted Answer

Regression toward the average.

Question 14

Among the explanations given below, which one best explains our illusion of control over certain outcomes?

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon of regression toward the average explains why we may believe we have control over certain outcomes when in reality, they are likely to occur regardless of our actions. This can lead to an illusion of control.

Question 15

Even when people are shown nothing but a random mix of results, they still like to believe one outcome is more likely than the other. This tendency illustrates a concept known as

Accepted Answer

This tendency is known as illusory correlation, where people perceive a relationship between variables (typically people, events, or behaviors) even when no such relationship exists. It illustrates how individuals can believe in patterns or outcomes that are not actually present, based on their expectations or beliefs rather than on objective evidence.

Question 16

Our tendency of perceiving relationships or connections when none whatsoever exist is called

Accepted Answer

Illusory correlation is the tendency to perceive a relationship or correlation between two variables, even when none actually exists. This can lead to false beliefs or stereotypes. Choices A, B, and D do not accurately describe this phenomenon.

Question 17

Although Jason once scored a 270 in bowling, he has subsequently been unable to beat that record no matter how much he practices. His experience may be partially understood in terms of

Accepted Answer

Regression toward the average suggests that extreme scores or events are likely to be followed by less extreme ones. In Jason's case, his initial score of 270 may have been due to luck or some other factor that was not replicable, leading to his subsequent inability to beat that record despite ongoing practice.

Question 18

Gus is in a terrific mood on the day he goes to look for a new car. He instantly decides to buy the second car he test drives. If Gus had been in a bad mood, what type of decision might he have made about a car purchase?

Accepted Answer

Mood can have an impact on our decision-making process. If Gus had been in a bad mood, he may have been more cautious and taken more time to make a decision about a car purchase. This is because a negative mood can lead to more analytical thinking and a desire to carefully weigh options before making a choice. So option C, where Gus takes more time to make a decision, is the best choice.

Question 19

Jim believes he can actually guess correctly the outcome of heads or tails of 10 consecutive fair coin trials. His belief can perhaps best be explained in terms of

Accepted Answer

Jim's belief that he can control the outcome of the coin tosses is an example of illusion of control, which is a cognitive bias where individuals believe they have more control over events than they actually do.

Question 20

Joseph Forgas, a psychologist at the University of New South Wales, believes that moody people's feelings seem to _________.

Accepted Answer

Moody people's feelings seem to invade their thinking, making it difficult for them to focus and make decisions.

Quiz 3: Social Beliefs and Judgments