Question 1

A study on the Paradox of Choice, conducted in a supermarket, found that what percentage of people actually purchase a fruit preserve/jam when there were 24 alternatives presented at the sample table?

Accepted Answer

The Paradox of Choice suggests that when presented with too many options, people are less likely to make a choice or to be satisfied with their choice. In this study, the large number of alternatives presented for fruit preserves/jam likely overwhelmed customers and resulted in a low percentage of actual purchases (only 3%). Therefore, a better choice for the supermarket would be to offer a smaller number of options to customers in order to encourage more purchases and satisfaction with their choices.

Question 2

Which attachment style is likely to lead to a lover being clingy and worrying that his or her partner will leave him or her?

Accepted Answer

The anxious attachment style is characterized by a fear of abandonment and a need for constant reassurance and validation from their partner. This can lead to clingy behavior and a tendency to worry that their partner will leave them.

Question 3

In Aronson and Linder's "gain-loss" experiment, subjects overheard a confederate give a series of evaluations of them that were (1) consistently positive, (2) consistently negative, (3) negative and then increasingly positive (gain), and (4) positive and then increasingly negative (loss). The results showed that, in terms of mean liking for the confederate, subjects rated (from positive to negative) the confederates as follows:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Aronson and Linder's "gain-loss" experiment, subjects...

Question 4

Suppose you turn in a paper that is graded by two professors. Professor Jones is very complimentary, whereas Professor Smith is very critical of your work. Generalizing from the results of a similar experiment described in the text, you would believe that Professor ________ is more intelligent, and you would like best Professor ________.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that people tend to rate those who evaluate them more critically as more intelligent, but they tend to like those who evaluate them positively better. Thus, you would believe Professor Smith (the critical one) is more intelligent but would like Professor Jones (the complimentary one) best.

Question 5

When people do favors for us, we:

Accepted Answer

The answer of When people do favors for us, we:
...

Question 6

In general, getting someone else to do you a favor is ________ effective in increasing his liking for you than your doing a favor for him due to ________.

Accepted Answer

This concept is known as the "Ben Franklin effect," where doing a favor for someone can increase their liking for you because it creates dissonance between their negative beliefs about you and their positive actions towards you. In contrast, getting someone else to do a favor for you may result in their dissonance reduction by rationalizing their actions as being in line with their positive beliefs about you. Therefore, option B is the best choice.

Question 7

Suppose you take a class from each of the following four professors: 1, 2, 3, and 4. You write five papers and get the following grades: 1: A A A A A, 2: D D C B A, 3: A A B C F, 4: D D C D D. Generalizing from Aronson, which professor will you like the most?

Accepted Answer

According to Aronson's theory of social psychology, individuals tend to like those who provide them with rewarding experiences, especially if those experiences improve over time. Professor 2 shows a progression from poor to excellent grades (D D C B A), which is likely to create a more positive and rewarding perception over time, leading to a higher likelihood of being liked the most.

Question 8

Suppose two young men had taken a test of intelligence. Ralph believed he did very well, and Fred believed he did poorly. Both have the occasion to meet a young woman. Which of the following best describes how they would most likely react based on her physical attractiveness?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose two young men had taken a...

Question 9

In an experiment by Snyder and his colleagues, college males talked with a female who they "thought" was either an attractive or an unattractive female due to Snyder et al.'s manipulation of a photo. These conversations were recorded. People who listened to the recording of the conversation of the male who "thought" she was attractive, without seeing any photos, said she was:

Accepted Answer

The experiment manipulated the perception of the male participants by showing them either an attractive or unattractive photo of the female. Those who thought she was attractive had a more positive interaction with her, leading to perceptions of her being confident and warm. This suggests that physical attractiveness can influence how individuals perceive and interact with others.

Question 10

You are at a party and are engaged in a discussion with someone you just met. The topic is capital punishment, an issue you feel very strongly about. Based on your discussion, your chances of liking this person will be greatest if he or she:

Accepted Answer

When someone initially disagrees but ultimately comes to accept your position, it can create a sense of validation and connection, increasing the likelihood of liking them.

Question 11

According to research presented in The Social Animal, compared to men with low self-esteem, men who have a favorable view of themselves tend to:

Accepted Answer

The book states that men with high self-esteem are attracted to women who are assertive and independent because they view these qualities as a challenge and a way to boost their own self-esteem.

Question 12

When someone is initially critical of you and later becomes complimentary:

Accepted Answer

When someone is initially critical of us and later becomes complimentary, it shows that they have changed their opinion of us after getting to know us better. This change can make us feel validated, appreciated, and respected. As a result, we may like them more than someone who has always been complimentary but doesn't know us as well. However, if someone is too critical at first, it can make us feel defensive and less willing to trust them, which may affect our overall opinion of them.

Question 13

In Walster's experiment in which women were asked for a date by a young man prior to receiving favorable or unfavorable personality evaluations from a psychologist, the results showed that subjects:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Walster's experiment in which women were...

Question 14

A relationship in which people are concerned reciprocity and making sure equity is achieved is called a/an ________ relationship.

Accepted Answer

An exchange relationship is characterized by a concern for reciprocity and achieving equity. This means that individuals expect to receive benefits or rewards that are proportionate to what they contribute. In other words, there is a quid pro quo expectation of exchange, making sure that the investment/participation between the two parties is as equal as possible. The other options - communal and tribal - suggest a more communal or group-oriented approach to relationships, where benefits are shared more broadly across the group. Fairness is a concept that could apply to any type of relationship, but it does not specifically capture the idea of reciprocity and equity that is unique to exchange relationships.

Question 15

Your authors use the term "the paradox of choice" when describing the fact that:

Accepted Answer

The paradox of choice refers to the idea that having too many options can lead to decision paralysis, where individuals become overwhelmed and find it difficult to make a decision. Therefore, the best choice is D, which acknowledges that endless choices can generate paralysis when it comes to making selections.

Question 16

Suppose you see two men. One is sitting with a highly attractive woman. The other is with an unattractive woman. Generalizing from research presented in Aronson:

Accepted Answer

Research shows that when men are seen with an attractive woman, they are often perceived as more likable, sociable, and dominant. This is known as the "cheerleader effect." Additionally, being in the presence of an attractive woman can boost a man's self-esteem and confidence.

Question 17

If you persuade someone to do you a favor, it is likely that:

Accepted Answer

When someone does you a favor, they feel helpful and valued which can lead to increased liking and positive feelings towards you.

Question 18

The gain-loss theory of attraction predicts that:

Accepted Answer

The gain-loss theory of attraction, proposed by Aronson and Linder (1965), suggests that an increase in positive evaluations over time (i.e., someone initially disliking you but gradually liking you more) leads to greater attraction than a consistently positive evaluation. This is because the improvement in perception is more impactful and noticeable.

Question 19

What does Aronson say is one of the most powerful determinants of whether you will like another person?

Accepted Answer

Aronson states that reciprocity, or if that person likes you, is one of the most powerful determinants of whether you will like another person.

Question 20

As Edward Jones says, "Flattery will get you somewhere," except when:

Accepted Answer

Flattery can be perceived as insincere and manipulative, especially if the person being flattered is aware of any ulterior motives. Therefore, the best choice is D as it highlights this potential negative consequence of flattery.

Quiz 8: Liking, Loving, and Interpersonal Sensitivity