Question 1

_____ suggests that people have a general tendency to endorse beliefs that legitimatize a social hierarchy.

Accepted Answer

Social dominance theory suggests that people have a general tendency to endorse beliefs that legitimatize a social hierarchy, meaning that individuals often support and justify the superiority of certain social groups over others. This theory emphasizes the importance of power, status, and control in intergroup relations. Social identity theory focuses on how individuals derive self-esteem from their group memberships, while terror management theory suggests that people manage their fear of death by upholding cultural beliefs and symbols. Social comparison theory suggests that individuals evaluate themselves by comparing themselves to others. None of these theories specifically address the tendency to endorse beliefs that legitimize a social hierarchy.

Question 2

All of the following are true about power EXCEPT which statement?

Accepted Answer

All of the other statements are true about power. However, research suggests that power can decrease empathy and increase feelings of entitlement, leading to less concern for others.

Question 3

_____ is variation in the extent to which members of a culture or organization accept an unequal distribution of power.

Accepted Answer

Power distance refers to the degree to which people in a culture or organization are comfortable with unequal distribution or concentration of power among individuals or groups. It is a measure of tolerance for authority and unequal power relationships. Higher power distance cultures tend to have a higher tolerance for hierarchical structures and status differences, while lower power distance cultures tend to emphasize equality and participation.

Question 4

Lisa is frustrated because she feels her group is disadvantaged and that she has no chance of advancing herself under the current system.However,she believes the system is unstable and can be changed.Lisa is likely to engage in:

Accepted Answer

Lisa's belief that the system can be changed suggests that she may be willing to take action with others in order to bring about that change. Therefore, she is likely to engage in collective action as a means of improving her situation and that of her group.

Question 5

People are inclined to leave a group when group membership:

Accepted Answer

When group membership threatens survival, individuals prioritize their own physical well-being over their affiliation with the group, making them more likely to leave the group to protect themselves. The other choices do not necessarily lead to leaving a group.

Question 6

_____ is the theory that negative stereotypes get attached to groups partly because they help to explain and justify why some individuals are more advantaged than others.

Accepted Answer

System justification theory proposes that people have a motivation to see the existing social order as fair, legitimate, and justifiable. This can lead individuals to endorse and justify the status quo, even when it perpetuates negative stereotypes and inequalities for certain groups. In other words, people may accept negative stereotypes about certain groups because it fits with their belief in a just world, where people get what they deserve.

Question 7

People are more likely to take collective action for all the following reasons EXCEPT which one?

Accepted Answer

Feeling isolated from other ingroup members would actually decrease the likelihood of taking collective action, as people are more likely to take action when they feel connected and supported by others in their group. Choices A, B, and C all increase the likelihood of taking collective action as they suggest that the current system is unjust or ineffective and that collective action is necessary for change.

Question 8

According to _____ mortality concerns will increase disidentification with a group if the group no longer provides meaning and is perceived as temporary.

Accepted Answer

Terror management theory posits that when confronted with mortality concerns, individuals seek meaning and value in various aspects of their lives, including group affiliations. If a group is perceived as temporary or no longer providing meaning, individuals may disidentify with it to protect their self-esteem and manage existential anxiety.

Question 9

_____ represents efforts by groups to resist and change the status quo in the service of group goals.

Accepted Answer

Collective action represents efforts by groups to resist and change the status quo in the service of group goals. System justification refers to the tendency for individuals to defend and justify the existing social and political system, while social dominance orientation refers to a belief system that supports unequal power relations between different groups. Individual mobility is a strategy for advancing one's own status within a system rather than challenging or changing it.

Question 10

Social dominance theory proposes that:

Accepted Answer

Social dominance theory proposes that people tend to endorse beliefs that legitimatize social hierarchy, which means they accept and justify social inequality and domination. This belief system is essential for the maintenance of group-based hierarchies and is associated with discrimination and prejudice towards lower-status groups.

Question 11

The _____ theory proposes that low-status groups may actually show a preference for high-status groups over their own group.

Accepted Answer

The system justification theory proposes that individuals tend to rationalize and justify existing social hierarchies, even at the expense of their own group. This can lead to low-status groups displaying a preference for high-status groups over their own group. Social identity theory, social comparison theory, and social facilitation theory are all different theories that do not directly address this phenomenon.

Question 12

All of the following are true about power distance EXCEPT which statement?

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect as it suggests that people from countries lower in power distance are more accepting of hierarchy. The opposite is true - people from countries with lower power distance are less accepting of hierarchy and believe in more equality.

Question 13

John is a police officer and believes it is his job to maintain social order.John is likely:

Accepted Answer

John's belief that it is his job to maintain social order suggests that he may have a high need for social dominance or a belief in the legitimacy of hierarchy and social inequality, which is measured by the social dominance orientation (SDO) scale. SDO has been found to be positively correlated with attitudes that support the maintenance of the status quo and the cultural norms of one's group. Therefore, John's belief in maintaining social order is consistent with a high SDO.

Question 14

A strong feeling of oneness with a group and viewing the group and the individual as one is known as:

Accepted Answer

Identity fusion is a merging of individual and group identities so that the individual sees themselves as an inseparable part of the group. It goes beyond mere group identification and involves a strong emotional connection to the group, leading to a willingness to make sacrifices for the group's benefit.

Question 15

Complementary stereotypes are:

Accepted Answer

Complementary stereotypes involve a mix of positive and negative stereotypes about a group, which function together to justify and maintain the current social hierarchy or status quo. This combination can obscure the negative impacts of stereotyping by providing a seemingly balanced view that, in reality, supports systemic inequalities.

Question 16

Major and colleagues had participants role-play that they were applying for a managerial position.White participants learning that they had not been hired by a Latino manager favoring a Latino applicant:

Accepted Answer

The study found that white participants who were passed over for a job by a Latino manager in favor of a Latino applicant were more likely to claim discrimination than Latinos who were passed over by a white manager. This suggests that white individuals may be more likely to perceive discrimination when they are not hired by someone of a different ethnicity.

Question 17

When women are reminded of their mortality and then primed to think of negative stereotypes of women,such as not being good in math:

Accepted Answer

When women are reminded of their mortality and then primed to think of negative stereotypes of women, such as not being good in math, they tend to disidentify with the group. They distance themselves from the negative stereotype by rejecting the group with which they are associated.

Question 18

When people feel like a group has violated a core value,they are inclined to:

Accepted Answer

When people feel that a group has violated a core value, they are likely to disidentify with the group. This means that they will distance themselves from the group and may even disassociate from it. This is because the violation of a core value can challenge a person's sense of identity or morality, making it difficult for them to continue to associate with the group. Increasing commitment to the group (A) or spending more time with the group (D) may be unlikely responses if a core value has been violated. Ignoring the violation (B) may be possible, but the individual may still experience discomfort or conflict.

Question 19

Harvey Milk was an inspiring and influential leader for the gay civil rights movement,who helped his supporters feel united in their antidiscrimination mission.Harvey Milk was a _____ leader.

Accepted Answer

Harvey Milk's leadership style was characterized as charismatic, as he was able to inspire and motivate his followers through his vision and personality. He was known for his ability to connect with people and build relationships, but he also had a strong focus on achieving his goals and advancing the cause of gay rights, making him less task-oriented and more relationship-oriented. His leadership did not rely on controlling or rewarding his followers, making him not transactional.

Question 20

_____ is the theory that disadvantaged groups are less aware of their disadvantage if they compare their outcomes only with those of other groups that are similarly deprived.

Accepted Answer

Relative deprivation theory suggests that people who are disadvantaged may not fully recognize their disadvantage if they only compare themselves to others who are similarly disadvantaged. This can lead to a sense of resignation or acceptance of their situation, rather than recognition of the need for change. System justification theory suggests that people may actually justify or rationalize the existing social system, even if it is disadvantageous to them, while terror management theory focuses on how people cope with mortality awareness. Social dominance theory proposes that some groups are inherently dominant and others are inherently subordinate.

Quiz 9: Group Processes