Question 1

Special military groups like Navy Seals require conformity to an extreme level. This is created by establishing an extreme fear of deviance.

Accepted Answer

While conformity and adherence to strict standards are crucial in special military groups like Navy Seals, these qualities are primarily fostered through rigorous training, discipline, and a strong emphasis on teamwork and mutual respect, rather than through an extreme fear of deviance.

Question 2

The influence of others' opinions is at times more powerful than one's own perceptions.

Accepted Answer

Social influence can significantly impact an individual's decisions and perceptions, often leading people to conform to the opinions or behaviors of others, even if it contradicts their own initial beliefs or perceptions.

Question 3

A membership reference group comprises idealized figures such as successful business people, athletes, or performers.

Accepted Answer

A membership reference group consists of individuals or groups that a person currently belongs to or identifies with, not idealized figures. Idealized figures are more associated with aspirational reference groups.

Question 4

A person or group with the means to provide positive reinforcement is said to have expert power.

Accepted Answer

Expert power is derived from possessing knowledge or expertise in a particular area, not from the ability to provide positive reinforcement.

Question 5

People we admire influence us because they hold referent power.

Accepted Answer

Referent power is based on the identification, admiration, or respect one has for another individual, leading to influence because people often emulate or agree with those they admire.

Question 6

An individual's motivation to distance him or herself from a negative reference group can be as powerful or more powerful than your desire to please a positive group.

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is explained by social identity theory, which suggests that individuals seek to improve their self-image by enhancing their affiliation with positive groups and distancing themselves from negative groups. The motivation to avoid association with a negative group can be as strong or stronger than the desire to be associated with a positive group, as individuals often work harder to avoid negative identities than to pursue positive ones.

Question 7

Phillipe is a member of a small Harley-Davidson motorcycle club. Members meet once a week to ride and talk about their bikes. This club might exert a ________ influence on Phillipe as he decides which model of bike he buys for his girlfriend.

Accepted Answer

Referent power is the ability to influence others because they admire or respect you. In this case, Phillipe's fellow club members are likely to have a lot of influence over his decision-making, as he respects their opinions and values their expertise.

Question 8

Within groups, informal rules of behavior are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Within groups, informal rules of behavior are referred to as norms. These are the shared expectations and rules that guide the behavior of people within social groups.

Question 9

If a person has social power, he or she has the ability to alter the actions of others.

Accepted Answer

Social power is the capacity to influence or control the actions, beliefs, or behavior of others, often through perceived authority, knowledge, relationships, or resources.

Question 10

________ happens when we do not devote as much time and effort to a task as we could because our contribution is part of a larger group effect.

Accepted Answer

Social loafing occurs when individuals exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone, due to the perception that their individual effort has less impact.

Question 11

Janet was very orderly around her apartment. Everything in her apartment was always very neat and clean. At a public park, Janet took some trash out of her car and threw it toward a trash container. Some of it fell on the ground. Janet just shrugged and said, "The trash guys will get it," and drove off. This is an example of deindividuation.

Accepted Answer

Deindividuation refers to a psychological state where an individual loses their sense of individual identity and responsibility, often leading to behavior that is uncharacteristic or against societal norms, typically in group settings. Janet's behavior is more indicative of a personal moral or ethical decision rather than the loss of self-awareness or identity in a group context.

Question 12

Angela belongs to a film club that selects and views classic movies once a month. Angela won't watch scary movies on her own, but agrees to watch the classic vampire film with the club because almost all of the other club members voted to see it. This example demonstrates which factor of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Angela's decision to watch a classic vampire film with her film club, despite her personal dislike for scary movies, is influenced by group unanimity. This means she conforms to the group's decision because the majority of the club members voted for it.

Question 13

Nate searches famous people and tries to buy products that they endorse. For Nate, these celebrities serve as an aspirational reference group.

Accepted Answer

An aspirational reference group consists of individuals a person admires and wishes to emulate or imitate, often including celebrities whose endorsements influence purchasing decisions.

Question 14

For an average citizen, a Supreme Court Justice is more likely to possess coercive power than legitimate power.

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court Justices primarily possess legitimate power, which is based on their official positions and the authority that comes with those positions, rather than coercive power, which relies on the ability to punish or control.

Question 15

If a firefighter told you to leave your apartment, you would comply because the firefighter has ________ power.

Accepted Answer

Legitimate power is the correct answer because it is based on the position or authority the firefighter holds, which gives them the right to ask or tell others what to do, such as evacuating an apartment for safety reasons.

Question 16

Referent power involves one person admiring the qualities of another person and trying to copy that person's behaviors.

Accepted Answer

Referent power is based on the charisma and interpersonal appeal of the leader. It arises when one person admires the qualities of another and tries to emulate those behaviors, often because of the leader's likability, respect, or admiration.

Question 17

A membership reference group consists of people we actually know. In contrast although we don't know those in an aspirational reference group, we admire them anyway.

Accepted Answer

A membership reference group includes individuals with whom we have direct interaction, such as family and friends, while an aspirational reference group consists of those we do not know personally but admire and wish to emulate, like celebrities or industry leaders.

Question 18

According to the principle of least interest, a person will gain power in a group as she decreases her commitment to the group.

Accepted Answer

The principle of least interest suggests that in any relationship, including those within groups, the person who has the least amount of interest in continuing the relationship has more power over it. This is because they have less to lose by leaving or changing the terms of the relationship.

Question 19

Every summer, thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts converge at Sturgis, South Dakota, for a motorcycle rally. They fill up every campground, motel, and hotel, in the vicinity. This annual rally illustrates a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is "consumer tribe" because it refers to a group of people who share a common interest or passion, in this case, motorcycles, and who come together, often forming a community around this shared interest. The Sturgis motorcycle rally is a prime example of such a gathering, where enthusiasts not only share their passion for motorcycles but also engage in activities and events that strengthen their sense of community and identity within this specific consumer group.

Question 20

________ occurs when an individual may have reason to believe that the group will apply sanctions to punish nonconforming behavior.

Accepted Answer

Fear of deviance occurs when an individual worries about the negative consequences (sanctions) of not adhering to group norms or expectations.

Quiz 11: Groups and Social Media