Question 1

Consider the following research question: "Have no-fault divorce laws increased the rate of divorce in the United States?" This question is most likely to be asked by a

Accepted Answer

This research question is investigating a social phenomenon, specifically the impact of no-fault divorce laws on divorce rates in the United States. Sociologists are experts in studying social institutions such as marriage, family, and law, and would be the best equipped to answer this question. Personality psychologists are more focused on studying individuals' characteristics and behavior, while social psychologists are more concerned with how individuals behave and interact in social situations. Philosophy may touch on this topic, but it is not the primary field of study for this question.

Question 2

The major difference between sociology and social psychology is the

Accepted Answer

Sociology focuses on the study of society and social structures at a macro level, while social psychology focuses on individual behavior and mental processes in a social context at a micro level. Therefore, the major difference between sociology and social psychology is the level of analysis used.

Question 3

Which of the following is most likely to be studied by a social psychologist?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is most likely...

Question 4

Which of the following is false with regard to cross-cultural research in social psychology? Social psychologists

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Social psychologists do not find cross-cultural studies valuable because they allow the use of unethical research methods. In fact, ethical considerations are taken very seriously in cross-cultural research, and researchers often have to navigate complex ethical issues related to cultural sensitivity and informed consent.

Question 5

Dr. Diehl and Dr. Jzreck both study aggression. However, Dr. Diehl studies the topic from the standpoint of society at large; Dr. Jrzeck studies it from the standpoint of the individual. Who is most likely to be the social psychologist?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dr. Diehl and Dr. Jzreck both study...

Question 6

Both social psychologists and sociologists are interested in aggression. Compared to sociologists, which of the following questions is a social psychologist most likely to ask?

Accepted Answer

Social psychologists are interested in understanding the psychological factors that contribute to aggression, such as emotions, cognitions, and behavior. Option B is a question that specifically focuses on the relationship between anger and aggression, which is a topic of interest to social psychologists. The other options are questions that may be of interest to sociologists who are examining broader societal factors that may contribute to aggression, such as laws, socioeconomic status, and criminal justice systems.

Question 7

Which question about romantic relationships is a sociologist most likely to ask?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists are interested in understanding social trends and patterns related to romantic relationships, including factors that may contribute to changes in marriage rates among different socioeconomic groups. Option A is more related to psychology and option B is more related to individual traits, while option C is more philosophical in nature.

Question 8

Thomas is scrupulously honest when it comes to not cheating on his tests and papers, but when a cashier accidentally gives him back too much change, he is likely to keep the extra money. A social psychologist would most likely say that Thomas's behavior

Accepted Answer

This behavior may be seen as a reflection of situational factors, such as the immediacy of the reward and the absence of clear social norms or consequences, that differ from those present in academic testing situations where honesty is a clear expectation.

Question 9

Nanami and April were playing in the den when April's mother entered the room and scolded them for making a mess. Nanami decided then and there that April's mother was a grouch. Nanami's inference is an example of

Accepted Answer

Nanami's inference of April's mother being a grouch based on one instance of scolding is an example of the fundamental attribution error, where a person makes a snap judgment of someone's behavior without taking into account situational factors.

Question 10

Sheila shows up for a blind date with her hair disheveled and her clothes a mess. Her date, Jamal, thinks, "She must be a total slob!" Jamal's thought about Sheila is an example of

Accepted Answer

Jamal's thought process is an example of the fundamental attribution error, which is the tendency for individuals to overemphasize dispositional (internal) explanations for behavior instead of considering situational factors. Instead of considering that Sheila may have had a busy or stressful day leading up to the date, Jamal assumes that her appearance is a reflection of her character.

Question 11

Which of the following statements most reflects a social psychological point of view?

Accepted Answer

Option C reflects a social psychological point of view as it acknowledges the role of social influence and impression management in shaping Fred's behavior. Option A is more of a personality-based explanation and Option B is more of an individual-level explanation. Option D is more of a psychoanalytic/ developmental psychology explanation.

Question 12

Social psychologists are interested in cross-cultural research because it

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural research helps social psychologists to identify which aspects of human behavior are universal, meaning they are present in all cultures. This can help to distinguish between behaviors that are the result of cultural influences and those that are innate to humans. By discovering universal behaviors, social psychologists can better understand the basic principles that underlie human behavior.

Question 13

The tendency most people have to discount situational explanations of behavior in favor of personality characteristics or traits is called the

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described is known as the fundamental attribution error, which refers to the tendency to attribute behavior to stable, internal traits or dispositions rather than situational factors.

Question 14

Which of the following is the best definition of the fundamental attribution error?

Accepted Answer

The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency to underestimate the power of social influence and overemphasize dispositional (personality or character) explanations for other people's behavior. Options A, B, and C are not accurate definitions of this concept.

Question 15

Which of the following social phenomena would be of interest to both social psychologists and sociologists?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following social phenomena would...

Question 16

Professor Hume has spent the last ten years studying the effects of people's levels of self-esteem on their tendency to discriminate against others. She is most likely to be a

Accepted Answer

Professor Hume's research is focused on how individual differences, specifically levels of self-esteem, influence social behavior. This falls under the domain of social psychology, which studies how social factors affect human behavior, attitudes, and emotions. Sociology is the broader study of society and social behavior, while personality psychology focuses on understanding and explaining individual differences in personality traits. Political science, on the other hand, deals with the structure and function of government and politics. Therefore, the best choice is A) social psychologist.

Question 17

Social psychologists differ from sociologists in that social psychologists

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social psychologists differ from sociologists in that...

Question 18

By degree of their level of analysis, which of the following reflects the narrowest to broadest focus?

Accepted Answer

Personality psychology focuses on individual differences and traits, social psychology focuses on how individuals interact with others in groups, and sociology focuses on the study of societies as a whole. Therefore, personality psychology has the narrowest focus, social psychology is broader because it examines group-level interactions, and sociology is the broadest because it looks at larger societal structures and systems.

Question 19

One common goal of sociology and social psychology is to understand

Accepted Answer

Sociology and social psychology both study how social factors influence human behavior. While sociology focuses more on the broader social structures, social psychology explores how individuals are affected by their social environment and the people around them.

Question 20

Consider the following research question: "How has new computer technology changed the U.S. educational system?" This question is most likely to be asked by a(n)

Accepted Answer

The question is focused on a societal institution (the educational system) and how it has been impacted by a specific technological advancement. This aligns with the interests and expertise of sociologists who study social structures and their changes over time. Social psychologists and personality psychologists are more focused on individual behavior and attitudes, while anthropologists would be interested in understanding how computer technology impacts different cultures and societies.

Quiz 1: Introducing Social Psychology