Question 1

Inoculation research suggests that

Accepted Answer

Inoculation research has shown that ineffective persuasion can actually make individuals more resistant to later persuasive appeals by strengthening their existing attitudes and beliefs. This phenomenon is known as attitude inoculation.

Question 2

Describe the ways in which a typical sales person (e.g., someone selling cars or insurance) will seek to enhance his or her perceived credibility in your eyes. Keep in mind the two components of credibility when developing you're answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the ways in which a typical...

Question 3

According to the text, potential cult members are

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, potential cult members...

Question 4

Describe a familiar television commercial and analyze the elements of persuasion that it uses. Does it promote and/or assume central or peripheral route processing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe a familiar television commercial and analyze...

Question 5

Psychotherapy settings, like cults, provide

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy settings, like cults, provide a supportive, confiding social relationship, an offer of expertise and hope, and a set of rituals. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Question 6

Darley and Cooper (1972) invited students to write essays advocating a strict dress code. Because this was against the students' own positions and the essays were to be published,

Accepted Answer

The answer of Darley and Cooper (1972) invited students to...

Question 7

According to research, which variable is not one of the four most known factors that influence the impact of persuasive communications?

Accepted Answer

The four most known factors that influence the impact of persuasive communications are the communicator, the message content, the channel, and the audience. The time of day is not typically considered one of these key factors.

Question 8

Research on attitude inoculation suggests that religious educators are wise to avoid

Accepted Answer

Research on attitude inoculation indicates that exposing individuals to weak attacks on their beliefs can actually strengthen those beliefs, much like a vaccine works by exposing the immune system to a weakened form of a virus. Therefore, creating a "germ-free ideological environment" where followers are never exposed to opposing viewpoints can make them more susceptible to persuasion and doubt when they eventually encounter differing opinions. This approach is counterproductive for religious educators or any group interested in strengthening the commitment of its members.

Question 9

Cult leaders will be most effective and influential if they are

Accepted Answer

Charismatic cult leaders who are perceived as experts in their field and trustworthy are more likely to attract and influence followers. They are able to inspire and motivate their followers with their persuasive personalities, and their charisma creates a sense of trust and authority. This is seen in many successful cult leaders such as Jim Jones or Joseph Di Mambro. The other choices are not necessarily true for all cult leaders and do not guarantee success in attracting and influencing followers.

Question 10

When would it be best to present your persuasive appeal to an audience in a good mood versus one in a bad mood? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When would it be best to present...

Question 11

The success of religious cults is explained by their effective use of

Accepted Answer

The success of religious cults can be attributed to their effective use of escalating behavioural commitments, persuasion principles, and isolating group members. By using all three of these tactics, cult leaders are able to exert significant control over their followers and maintain their power and influence.

Question 12

People most vulnerable to cults are usually

Accepted Answer

People who are under age 25, facing a personal crisis, and middle-class are all vulnerable to cults. Young people who are searching for their own identity and purpose in life are more likely to be lured into a cult. People who are going through a difficult time in their personal lives, such as a divorce or a death in the family, may be more susceptible to the promises of a cult. Middle-class individuals are often seeking answers to their problems and may be more likely to join a group that promises to provide them with clarity and purpose.

Question 13

According to Singer, _____________________ because they are more trusting.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Singer, _____________________ because they are...

Question 14

According to the text, once you join a cult it is likely that

Accepted Answer

The text states that once you join a cult, it is likely that you will separate from your previous social support systems, isolate yourself with other cultists, and cut yourself from family and friends. Therefore, all of these choices (A, B, and C) are correct.

Question 15

You've been hired to develop an information campaign to prevent junior high school students from taking up smoking. Your boss wants you to use a scare-tactic approach. What must you do to construct a fear appeal that is maximally effective?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You've been hired to develop an information...

Question 16

Charles Kiesler recommends that one way to stimulate people's thinking so they become more committed to their positions is to

Accepted Answer

Charles Kiesler suggests that a mild attack on someone's position can stimulate their thinking and lead to a stronger commitment to their stance. This approach is based on the concept that a moderate challenge encourages individuals to defend and thus more deeply consider their views.

Question 17

Folie à deux is a French phrase that refers to

Accepted Answer

Folie à deux is a term used in psychiatry which means "madness between two." It refers to a situation where two or more people share the same delusion, and their beliefs reinforce one another's abnormal thinking.

Question 18

What does Cialdini's concept of the "poison parasite" defence refer to?

Accepted Answer

Cialdini's concept of the "poison parasite" defence involves combining strong counterarguments with retrieval cues that bring those arguments to mind when exposed to the opponent's view. This helps to protect against the opponent's perspective having a negative influence, like a "poison," on one's own beliefs.

Question 19

According to the text, vivid, emotional messages and warmth and acceptance from a group are most strikingly appealing to

Accepted Answer

The text states that lonely and depressed people are most drawn to vivid, emotional messages and warmth and acceptance from a group. There is no mention of this being appealing to all people or happy people specifically.

Question 20

Research studies on inoculation efforts with children against the peer pressure to smoke have found that

Accepted Answer

Research studies have found that children who were inoculated against peer pressure to smoke are half as likely to start smoking than those who were not inoculated. This suggests that inoculation efforts can be effective in preventing smoking initiation among children.

Quiz 5: Persuasion