Question 1

Discuss the ethical dilemmas that resulted from Stanley Milgram's obedience research. Do you think that the ends justified the means in this case? Does the fact that nobody was really physically shocked make a difference? What if you wanted to conduct a replication of the experiment but wanted to actually administer shocks? Do you think that the findings would change regarding the obedience of the participants?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the ethical dilemmas that resulted from...

Question 2

Consider the way that most children feel about eating spinach. Unless the child is very unusual, you will probably not get a favorable reaction when you put a plate of spinach in front of that youngster. Discuss the child's responses from all three of the components of an attitude. Do you think a child's attitude would change if he or she were served spinach immediately following a viewing of the movie Popeye?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider the way that most children feel...

Question 3

Do you hold any stereotypes? If so, are they positive or negative assumptions about a group of people? Where do you think your stereotypes came from, and what factors may be involved in maintaining these beliefs?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you hold any stereotypes? If so,...

Question 4

According to attribution theory, the explanations we create for our behavior and the behavior of others generally fall into two categories. Describe these two categories. In your essay, discuss key concepts in attribution theory, such as the fundamental attribution error.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to attribution theory, the explanations we...

Question 5

If you had young children who were attending Jane Elliott's class in the second grade, would you want them to take part in her blue eye-brown eye project? Why or why not? Do you think parents should have the right to prevent their children from going through such an experience? Is the pain that the children may experience worth the lessons they may learn from the project?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you had young children who were...

Question 6

Using Sternberg's triangular theory of love, describe two relationships in your life (e.g., your parents or your current love relationship) and discuss how these relationships fit into one or more of Sternberg's forms of love.

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Experiments showing the effects of group pressure on conformity were conducted by __________.

Accepted Answer

Asch is well-known for his conformity experiments, which demonstrated the impact of group pressure on individuals' tendency to conform to the majority opinion.

Question 8

Even though she thought it was silly, Rose wore pink and green ribbons in her hair as her friends did. This is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Conformity refers to adjusting one's behavior or thinking to match those of other people or a group standard. In this case, Rose wore pink and green ribbons in her hair to match her friends, even though she personally found it silly, indicating she conformed to the group's behavior.

Question 9

Some may argue that the findings of the Solomon Asch experiment are not terribly valuable because conformity is being assessed on a relatively innocuous task (i.e., choosing line sizes). What kind of situation might you use to test conformity that would be immune to this criticism? Can you think of a way to test conformity in the real world in a way that would be both useful and ethical?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some may argue that the findings of...

Question 10

Behavior that occurs when we change our actions or attitudes because of real or imagined group pressures is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Conformity refers to changing our actions or attitudes because of real or imagined group pressures. Cooperation is a group working together to achieve a common goal. Coercion is the use of force or threats to get someone to do something. Obedience is following orders from an authority figure. While all of these options involve behavior, only conformity specifically refers to changing behavior due to group pressure.

Question 11

The technique used for studying conformity was developed by __________.

Accepted Answer

The technique used for studying conformity was developed by Solomon Asch.

Question 12

The obedience study conducted by Stanley Milgram has become world famous. More than 1,000 people at several American universities went through replications of the study. In addition, researchers in other countries, such as Spain and the Netherlands, have used Milgram's procedures. Explain in detail the procedures that Milgram used in his study, and then discuss his results. What conclusions did Milgram reach? How have critics reacted to his research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The obedience study conducted by Stanley Milgram...

Question 13

Giving in to indirect pressure to change your behavior and thoughts is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Conformity is the act of changing one's behavior or thoughts to match those of a group, often as a result of indirect pressure from that group. Compliance and obedience refer to specific types of behavior change in response to direct requests or orders. Persuasion involves attempts to change someone's beliefs or attitudes through communication.

Question 14

To conform is to yield to __________.

Accepted Answer

Conforming means following social norms or expectations rather than going against them. Choices B, C, and D are not related to the concept of conformity.

Question 15

Changing one's behavior in response to real or perceived social pressures is referred to as __________ by social psychologists.

Accepted Answer

Conformity refers to changing one's behavior in response to real or perceived social pressures, such as the influence of others in a group or society. Compliance refers specifically to agreeing to a request or demand from someone in a position of authority. Influence is a broad term that can refer to any type of impact someone has on another's thoughts or actions. Obedience specifically refers to following orders or commands from someone in a position of authority.

Question 16

If you saw someone on the side of the road with a flat tire, would you help that person? What factors would influence whether you would help or not? Include terminology discussed in the Latané and Darley study discussed in your text.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you saw someone on the side...

Question 17

It is a safe assumption that most people who smoke know that it is not good for their health. Using the principle of cognitive dissonance, describe three examples of several things that smokers might do to reduce their dissonance, making sure to include at least one example from each of the three actions noted in the text.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is a safe assumption that most...

Question 18

How do advertisers use the principles of persuasion discussed in your chapter? Pick a television commercial and use it to examine the components of persuasion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do advertisers use the principles of...

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Conformity refers to adjusting one's behavior or thinking to match those of others or to align with societal norms. Stan changing his ties to be in style is an example of conformity, as he is changing his behavior to fit in with current fashion trends, which is a societal norm.

Question 20

Asch (1951) used __________ to study informational conformity.

Accepted Answer

Asch used line lengths to study informational conformity. Participants were asked to judge the lengths of lines and were then exposed to the incorrect judgments of confederates.

Quiz 12: Social Psychology