Question 1

Which theory assumes that when our attitudes regarding something are weak to begin with, we will use our behavior and its circumstances as a clue to those attitudes?

Accepted Answer

This theory is known as self-perception theory, which suggests that when our attitudes are weak, we look to our behavior and the circumstances surrounding that behavior to infer our attitudes. This is because we don't have strong pre-existing attitudes to guide our behavior, so we use our behavior to form our attitudes.

Question 2

The _____ occurs when someone offers an unnecessary reward beforehand in an obvious effort to control behavior.

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect occurs when someone offers an unnecessary reward, which can actually decrease motivation to engage in that behavior, because the external reward replaces the individual's internal motivation.

Question 3

Vaughan and Lanzetta's (1981) study required participants to observe someone receiving an electric shock. Some, but not all, of the participants were required to make a pained expression whenever the shock was implemented. The results indicated that compared to those students who were not required to make a pained expression, those who did perspired more and had faster heart rates whenever they observed the person being shocked. Which theory are the results consistent with?

Accepted Answer

The results are consistent with self-perception theory, which suggests that individuals infer their attitudes and emotions based on their behavior, especially when there is no clear external cause for that behavior. In this case, the participants who made a pained expression while observing the electric shock inferred that they were actually feeling pain (or at least some level of discomfort), which resulted in increased physiological arousal.

Question 4

Which theory predicts that when people experience a self-image threat after engaging in an undesirable behavior, they will compensate by affirming another aspect of the self?

Accepted Answer

Self-affirmation theory predicts that when people experience a self-image threat after engaging in an undesirable behavior, they will compensate by affirming another aspect of the self. This is done in order to maintain overall self-esteem and reduce cognitive dissonance.

Question 5

According to the overjustification effect, promising children a reward for doing what they already intrinsically enjoy will

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect suggests that receiving an external reward for performing an activity which the individual already finds inherently interesting reduces their intrinsic motivation to engage in the activity. This is because the reward shifts the individual's focus from the enjoyment of the activity to the extrinsic reward, thereby decreasing their internal drive to engage in the activity.

Question 6

According to the overjustification effect, reinforcements that praise people tend to _____ intrinsic motivation, and reinforcement that seeks to control people _____ intrinsic motivation.

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect suggests that when people are offered external rewards or reinforcements for activities they initially enjoyed doing intrinsically, their intrinsic motivation is likely to decrease. This means that reinforcements that praise people tend to increase their extrinsic motivation but decrease their intrinsic motivation. On the other hand, reinforcements that seek to control people, such as pressuring them or using threats, are likely to decrease both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Therefore, option B is the best choice as it accurately describes the overjustification effect.

Question 7

The result of bribing people to do what they already like doing and after which they may see their actions as externally controlled rather than intrinsically appealing is best explained by the

Accepted Answer

The described phenomenon is known as the overjustification effect, which occurs when external reinforcement (such as a bribe or reward) is given for a behavior that was already intrinsically motivating. This can result in the person seeing their actions as controlled by the external reinforcement rather than being internally motivated by the enjoyment of the activity itself.

Question 8

Jeremy loses his former interest in doing arithmetic after his teacher promises him $1 for each problem he solves correctly. Which theory best explains Jeremy's loss of interest in arithmetic?

Accepted Answer

Self-perception theory suggests that when external rewards are introduced for an activity that a person already finds intrinsically motivating, it can lead to a decrease in intrinsic interest. Jeremy's loss of interest in arithmetic can be explained by this theory, as the external reward (money) may have undermined his intrinsic motivation.

Question 9

Myra's neighbor, a little boy, practices his saxophone loudly and annoyingly. According to the overjustification effect, if Myra wants to get him to quit playing, she should

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect suggests that providing external rewards for an activity that someone already enjoys can reduce their intrinsic motivation. By paying him to play and then reducing the payment, his intrinsic motivation to play may decrease, leading him to quit.

Question 10

Applying the self-perception theory, the best way to cultivate Mark's enjoyment of a task that is not intrinsically appealing to him is to use incentives to have him comply with the behavior and then suggest that

Accepted Answer

Self-perception theory suggests that people infer their attitudes and motivations by observing their own behavior. By suggesting that Mark did the task for an intrinsic reason, he may start to believe that he enjoys the task, thus cultivating intrinsic motivation.

Question 11

The major difference between the dissonance theory and the self-perception theory is that the former relies on the motivating effects of _____, while the latter does not.

Accepted Answer

Dissonance theory relies on the motivating effects of tension, which arises from holding conflicting cognitions, whereas self-perception theory does not involve such tension.

Question 12

Although your mother had to nag you to clean your room as a child, she always praised your desire to keep your room clean and orderly when you finished. Her comments likely _____ your intrinsic motivation to maintain a clean and orderly environment on your own.

Accepted Answer

The word "praised" in the sentence suggests that the mother's comments were positive and complimentary. Positive reinforcement typically increases motivation and behavior, so the mother's comments likely increased the child's intrinsic motivation to keep their room clean and orderly.

Question 13

As a teenager, you enjoyed jogging. Concerned with your weight, your parents gave you money whenever you went jogging. According to the self-perception theory, your parents' behavior is most likely to _____ your intrinsic motivation for jogging.

Accepted Answer

The self-perception theory suggests that people infer their attitudes and motivations from their own behavior, rather than explicitly knowing or feeling them. If the teenager has been given money for jogging, they may begin to perceive their motivation for jogging as being extrinsic (i.e. driven by the external reward of money) rather than intrinsic (i.e. driven by their own enjoyment or health benefits). This may decrease their intrinsic motivation over time, as they may begin to view jogging as a chore that they only do for the reward, rather than for their own personal enjoyment or sense of achievement.

Question 14

When external inducements are insufficient to justify our behavior, we reduce dissonance by justifying the behavior internally. Which of the following theories explains this insufficient justification effect?

Accepted Answer

The insufficient justification effect is a central concept in cognitive dissonance theory, which explains that when people experience an inconsistency or conflict between their beliefs, attitudes or values and their behaviors, they experience a sense of discomfort or dissonance. They attempt to reduce the dissonance by changing one of these elements, often by justifying their behavior internally when external inducements are insufficient.

Question 15

Which of the following theories explains the insufficient justification effect by claiming that we explain our behavior by noting the conditions under which it occurs?

Accepted Answer

The self-perception theory proposes that people come to understand their own attitudes and emotions by observing their own behavior and the context in which it occurs. This theory can be applied to the insufficient justification effect, as individuals may explain their behavior of engaging in an undesirable task with insufficient justification by noting the external rewards or punishments present in the situation.

Question 16

An example of the overjustification effect in the text describes how the number of books Myers' son read _____ after the local library provided an incentive for children to read 10 books in three months.

Accepted Answer

The overjustification effect suggests that providing external rewards (such as incentives or prizes) for activities that are already intrinsically rewarding (such as reading for pleasure) can actually decrease motivation and interest in that activity. In the example provided, the local library provided an incentive for children to read 10 books in three months. Prior to the incentive, Myers' son was already an avid reader, but after the incentive, his reading "fell off sharply" indicating a decrease in his motivation to read for pleasure. Therefore, the best choice is C, decreased.

Question 17

As a teenager, you enjoyed jogging. As a result, your parents purchased new running shoes for you after every major milestone (e.g., when you ran your first marathon). According to the self-perception theory, your parents' behavior is most likely to _____ your intrinsic motivation for jogging.

Accepted Answer

According to the self-perception theory, external rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation. In this case, the parents' behavior of purchasing new running shoes after every major milestone is an external reward that is likely to decrease the teenager's intrinsic motivation for jogging.

Question 18

Which statement is NOT true according to the research findings on expressions and attitudes?

Accepted Answer

This statement is not true. Research has shown that we do have the ability to sense how someone else is feeling by mirroring their facial expressions, which is called emotional contagion.

Question 19

Dissonance theory explains attitude _____, whereas self-perception theory explains attitude _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dissonance theory explains attitude _____, whereas self-perception...

Question 20

Rewarding people for doing what they already enjoy may lead them to attribute their action to the reward. If so, this would undermine their self-perception that they do it because they like it. This is called

Accepted Answer

The described phenomenon is known as the overjustification effect, where the introduction of an extrinsic reward for an intrinsically motivated behavior may lead individuals to view their motivation as stemming from the reward rather than their own enjoyment. This can ultimately reduce their intrinsic motivation for the behavior. Choices A, B, and D are not applicable to this scenario.

Quiz 4: Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity