Question 1

Research on rumours and certainty about them show that:

Accepted Answer

Beliefs and certainty about those beliefs are separate, and the degree of certainty about a rumour can diminish even if the content of the belief remains.

Question 2

In a study by Walker and Beckerle (1987), experimental participants were asked to redo an examination, and half were placed in a 'high anxiety' condition and the rest in a 'low anxiety' condition. It was found that:

Accepted Answer

Participants in the high anxiety condition were more motivated to repeat rumours, likely due to increased stress and uncertainty, which can heighten the need for information, even if it's unverified.

Question 3

Who are more likely to repeat a rumour?

Accepted Answer

Anxious people are more likely to repeat a rumor as they may seek reassurance or validation from others, and spreading rumors can be a way to manage their anxiety.

Question 4

Believable rumours tend to spread more often than unbelievable rumours. This is related to Rosnow's concept of:

Accepted Answer

Rosnow's concept of credibility suggests that rumours that are more believable or credible are more likely to spread, as people are more inclined to share information they perceive as plausible.

Question 5

__________ theory can readily account for the way in which anxiety facilitates rumour transmission.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ theory can readily account for the...

Question 6

An urban legend is:

Accepted Answer

An urban legend is typically a fictional story or anecdote that is widely circulated as true, often involving surprising or implausible events, and is usually spread by word of mouth or through media, often attributed to a "friend of a friend."

Question 7

Which of the following is likely to qualify as an urban legend?

Accepted Answer

Urban legends are often fictional stories that are circulated as true, usually with a humorous or cautionary twist. The story of a woman drying her pet poodle in a microwave fits this description as it is a widely shared, yet unverified, tale.

Question 8

What effect does the development of a conspiracy theory have on members of the group?

Accepted Answer

A conspiracy theory provides a reason for why the group members seem incapable of obtaining their goals, and it also tends to bind the group together emotionally.

Question 9

The (mistaken) belief that no Jews went to work at the World Trade Centre on the day of the terrorist attack in 2001 best can be defined as:

Accepted Answer

This belief is best defined as a conspiracy theory, as it involves a speculative and unfounded explanation suggesting a secret plot by a group, in this case, implying foreknowledge of the attacks by Jewish people.

Question 10

Which of the following characteristics does not apply to a fad?

Accepted Answer

Fads are typically quick to develop and gain popularity rapidly, but they also fade quickly, so the statement that they are "slow to develop" does not apply to a fad.

Question 11

According to the text, the difference between fashions and fads is that fashions:

Accepted Answer

Fashions are more likely to be cyclical, meaning they come back in style after a period of time.

Question 12

Which of the following characteristics applies to a fad?

Accepted Answer

A fad is typically short-lived, often involves extreme or unusual behavior, and is frequently associated with fun or frivolous activities, making all the options applicable.

Question 13

According to the text, fashions:

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, fashions:
...

Question 14

What type of collective behaviour is most likely to be increased as a result of anxiety about status?

Accepted Answer

Fashions are often driven by anxiety about status, as individuals seek to conform to socially accepted standards and trends to maintain or enhance their social standing.

Question 15

Research on fashions indicates that:

Accepted Answer

Research on fashion suggests that all the options are correct: clothing choices can influence perceptions of personality traits, even children recognize these associations, fashion can indicate social status, and people use fashion to distinguish themselves from lower-status groups.

Question 16

Fashions may serve a number of functions in society. Which of the following is not one of them?

Accepted Answer

Fashions typically do not increase anonymity; instead, they often highlight social status and personal identity.

Question 17

Which of the following involves a 'two step flow of communication' for its spread?

Accepted Answer

The 'two step flow of communication' model suggests that ideas flow from mass media to opinion leaders, and from them to a wider population. Fashion often spreads through this model, as opinion leaders or influencers adopt new trends and then influence others to follow.

Question 18

Unlike typical crowd behaviour, mass contagion:

Accepted Answer

Mass contagion can persist for extended periods, sometimes lasting months or years, unlike typical crowd behavior which is usually short-lived.

Question 19

If we observe others in a crowd smiling, then we smile and according to the facial feedback hypothesis:

Accepted Answer

The facial feedback hypothesis suggests that facial expressions can influence emotional experiences, so smiling can make us feel happier.

Question 20

The throngs of gasping teenagers that flock around rock stars whenever they make an appearance is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The throngs of gasping teenagers that flock...

Quiz 14: Crowds and Collective Behaviour