Question 1

Joel and Kyle both work with a stock brokerage firm. Joel is considered to be extremely attractive, and Kyle is considered to be average in appearance. Based on research that has investigated the effects of physical appearance in person perception, you should predict that

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that physical appearance can lead to numerous biases, including the halo effect whereby attractive individuals are perceived more positively in multiple domains. Therefore, it is likely that Joel, who is considered extremely attractive, will receive better performance evaluations than Kyle, who is considered average in appearance, even if they both perform equivalent work.

Question 2

According to evolutionary psychologists, we tend to view members of outgroups

Accepted Answer

According to evolutionary psychologists, we tend to view members of outgroups in terms of various negative stereotypes. This is believed to be a survival mechanism that allowed our ancestors to quickly identify potential threats from unfamiliar groups. Stereotyping outgroups as dangerous or inferior helped our ancestors avoid them and stay safe.

Question 3

Widely held beliefs about groups of people based on their group membership defines

Accepted Answer

Stereotypes are widely held beliefs about groups of people based on their group membership. Options A, B, and D do not fully capture this concept.

Question 4

Newton believes that all airline pilots are calm, cool individuals who never get excited or show any strong emotional responses. In this case, Newton's beliefs about the traits and behaviours of airline pilots are one example of

Accepted Answer

Newton's beliefs about airline pilots are an example of stereotypes, which are generalized beliefs about a particular group of people. Stereotypes can be positive or negative and can be based on characteristics such as gender, race, or profession. In this case, Newton's belief that all airline pilots are calm and unemotional is a stereotype about their personality traits.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a reason evolutionary psychologists propose to explain the biases associated with person perception?

Accepted Answer

Physical attractiveness being associated primarily with friends and not foes is not a reason proposed by evolutionary psychologists to explain biases associated with person perception.

Question 6

People who are physically attractive are viewed as ____ than less attractive people.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that people who are physically attractive are generally viewed as more friendly, well adjusted, and competent. This is known as the "halo effect," where people tend to assume that attractive people have positive qualities in a variety of areas, even if there is no actual evidence to support these assumptions. It is important to note, however, that this does not mean that all attractive people possess these positive qualities, nor does it mean that less attractive people are lacking in them.

Question 7

Jim just saw a photograph of a professor he has not met. Research suggests that, based on the picture, Jim can probably make meaningful inferences about all of the following EXCEPT the professor's

Accepted Answer

It is difficult to infer someone's income just by looking at a photograph. Other factors such as their job, education, and work experience would need to be taken into account.

Question 8

Research on physical attractiveness has shown that

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that people tend to ascribe desirable personality characteristics to good-looking people. This is known as the "halo effect" - the tendency to assume that because someone has one positive attribute (e.g. physical attractiveness), they must have other positive attributes as well. Gender differences in these effects are unclear, as some studies suggest that both men and women are affected by the halo effect of physical attractiveness.

Question 9

Evolutionary psychologists ascribe much of the bias in person perception to cognitive mechanisms that have been shaped by

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychologists see bias in person perception as stemming from cognitive mechanisms that have been shaped by natural selection. These mechanisms have evolved to help us quickly and efficiently process social information, but they can also result in stereotypes and other biases. The other options (parental attitudes, childhood experiences, and relationships with others) may contribute to biases in person perception, but they are not the primary focus of evolutionary psychology accounts.

Question 10

Which of the following people are MOST likely to be viewed as more competent?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following people are MOST...

Question 11

In terms of personality characteristics, people who are good looking tend to be viewed as

Accepted Answer

People who are good looking are generally perceived as sociable, friendly, and warm. This is because physical attractiveness is often associated with positive personality traits, such as being likable and approachable. However, this does not necessarily mean that all attractive people have these personality characteristics, or that unattractive people do not.

Question 12

Sandile is 35 years old, and he has just enrolled in his first university course. On the first day of class he looks over the individuals in the room and sits next to another male student who appears to be in his early 30s. In this case, Sandile has likely classified the other student

Accepted Answer

Sandile has classified the other student as a member of his ingroup based on the shared characteristic of being a male student in their 30s or older who is enrolled in the same university course. This is a common way that individuals form ingroups, by identifying and grouping individuals who share similar characteristics or experiences with themselves.

Question 13

A group that one belongs to and identifies with is known as

Accepted Answer

An ingroup is a group that one belongs to and identifies with.

Question 14

Marsha believes that all news reporters are cynical, doubting individuals who would sell their souls for an exclusive story. In this case, Marsha's beliefs about the traits and behaviours of news reporters are one example of

Accepted Answer

Marsha's beliefs about news reporters are based on a stereotype, which is a fixed or simplistic idea about a group of people. The other options (fundamental attribution error, confirmation bias, matching hypothesis) do not accurately describe Marsha's beliefs in this scenario.

Question 15

Person perception refers to the process of

Accepted Answer

Person perception specifically refers to the process of forming impressions of others. Developing an implicit personality theory and predicting behavior of others can also be a part of this process, but the primary focus is on forming impressions. Monitoring the impressions you make on others is related, but it pertains to self-presentation rather than person perception.

Question 16

The branch of psychology concerned with the way individuals' thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by others is

Accepted Answer

Social psychology is concerned with how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others. It examines group behavior, social perception, social influence, and other social interactions between individuals and groups. Individual psychology is primarily concerned with the individual's mental processes and development, abnormal psychology focuses on abnormal behavior and mental illness, and cultural psychology studies how culture influences individual behavior and mental processes.

Question 17

The subfield of psychology that studies attitudes, the attribution process, person perceptions, interpersonal attraction, conformity and obedience and group behaviour is known as

Accepted Answer

Social psychology is the subfield of psychology that focuses on the study of a wide range of interpersonal and intrapersonal dynamics including attitudes, the attribution process, person perceptions, interpersonal attraction, conformity and obedience and group behaviour. Environmental psychology focuses on how the natural and built environment influences human behaviour, while neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between behaviour, emotion, and cognition on the one hand, and brain function on the other. Sociocultural psychology is the subfield that explores how cultural and social norms, values, and beliefs shape individual and group behaviour.

Question 18

Precious is a member of a jury and she has voted "guilty". All the other jury members have voted "not guilty". At this point in time, the other jury members should classify Precious

Accepted Answer

The other jury members should classify Precious as a member of their outgroup as she is the only one who has voted differently and does not conform to the majority. This can possibly create a social distinction or divide between Precious and the other jurors.

Question 19

Which of the following statements BEST reflects an evolutionary explanation of why we tend to be influenced by physical attractiveness in our perception of others?

Accepted Answer

According to an evolutionary perspective, physical attractiveness was related to reproductive potential in our past, as traits associated with physical attractiveness (such as clear skin, symmetrical features, and healthy appearance) were indicators of good health and fertility. Therefore, our tendency to be influenced by physical attractiveness may have developed as a way to increase our chances of reproductive success.

Question 20

A group that one does not belong to, or identify with, is known as

Accepted Answer

An outgroup is a social group with which an individual does not identify or belong to. It is distinct from an ingroup, which is a social group to which an individual feels a sense of belonging and identity. Stereotypes and social schemas relate to our perceptions and beliefs about groups, but do not necessarily imply membership or identity within those groups.

Quiz 13: Social Psychology