Question 1

Social loafing can be minimized if

Accepted Answer

Social loafing occurs when individuals feel their efforts are not identifiable or recognized in a group setting. Identifying individuals and holding them accountable for their work can minimize social loafing. Therefore, Option C is a better choice to reduce social loafing.

Question 2

All the following factors help to make a leader effective EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Gender is not a factor that determines the effectiveness of a leader. Defection, consistency, and self-confidence are all important traits that contribute to effective leadership.

Question 3

People who benefit from the group but give little in return are called

Accepted Answer

Free riders benefit from being a part of a group, but contribute little to the group's goals or tasks. They may rely on the efforts of others without taking on their fair share of responsibilities.

Question 4

According to Shaw (1981)what is the one thing all groups have in common?

Accepted Answer

According to Shaw (1981), the one thing all groups have in common is that they interact. This interaction can take many forms, but it is the defining feature of a group. The other options (B, C, and D) may be common in some groups, but they are not universal features of all groups.

Question 5

The presence of other improves an individual's performance on all of the following tasks EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The answer of The presence of other improves an individual's...

Question 6

I don't do very well on the task because I'm very worried about appearing incompetent.My reaction is consistent with ____ theory.

Accepted Answer

Cottrell's evaluation apprehension theory suggests that people become anxious and perform poorly on tasks when they believe they are being evaluated by others. This theory fits the situation described in the question where the individual is worried about appearing incompetent, which is a form of evaluation apprehension.

Question 7

What activity did Norman Triplett ask children to perform in his first laboratory study of social facilitation?

Accepted Answer

Norman Triplett asked children to wind string on a fishing reel in his first laboratory study of social facilitation.

Question 8

I become more cautious in the group because,when I discuss a personal decision with the group members,they all suggest many interesting,influential arguments favoring a cautious approach.My shift is consistent with the ____ theory of group polarization.

Accepted Answer

The shift towards caution in the group is consistent with the informational influence theory of group polarization. This theory suggests that individuals in groups are influenced by the information and opinions presented by others, leading to a polarization towards either more cautious or riskier approaches. Social loafing refers to the tendency for individuals to exert less effort in group settings, social comparison pertains to the evaluation of oneself in comparison to others, and diffusion of responsibility refers to the tendency for individuals to feel less accountable for their actions in a group setting. None of these theories are directly related to the shift towards caution in this scenario.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that people in collectivist cultures, like many in Asia, tend to exhibit less social loafing compared to those in individualist cultures, like the United States.

Question 10

When group discussion strengthens members' initial inclinations we say that _____ has occurred.

Accepted Answer

Group polarization refers to the phenomenon where group discussion strengthens the initial inclinations of members. The group tends to become more extreme in their attitudes and decisions due to social comparison and influence. This can lead to a shift towards riskier or safer decisions and can be influenced by factors such as group composition and leadership style. Groupthink refers to the tendency of a group to prioritize consensus over critical thinking, which can result in flawed decision-making. Risk shift refers to the tendency for groups to make riskier decisions than individuals would on their own. Social leadership refers to a leadership style that focuses on building relationships and maintaining group dynamics.

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why students typically dislike group projects in their classes?

Accepted Answer

Students typically dislike group projects because of social loafing, which is the tendency for people to put in less effort when working in a group compared to when working alone.

Question 12

Which statement represents a symptom of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Group members agreeing with one another without question or dissent is a hallmark symptom of groupthink. Option A indicates a fear of making a bad decision, which could potentially lead to groupthink, but it is not a symptom in and of itself. Option B indicates moral questioning, which would likely lead to healthy discussion and prevent groupthink. Option D suggests the presence of deviants, which could disrupt groupthink but is not necessarily a symptom of it.

Question 13

Which class are you MOST likely to enjoy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which class are you MOST likely to...

Question 14

You are taking your social psychology test in a room of 75 other students.These other students are best described as

Accepted Answer

Co-actors refer to individuals who are present in the same situation or context but who are not actively assisting or cooperating with one another. In this case, the other 75 students taking the social psychology test are co-actors, as they are all present in the same room and taking the same test, but they are not working together or collaborating in any meaningful way. The other answer choices are not accurate descriptions of this scenario.

Question 15

During which activity did Ringelmann first observe social loafing?

Accepted Answer

Ringelmann first observed social loafing during a tug-of-war game.

Question 16

Sally has a crush on Billy but is afraid to ask him out because she does not think he is interested in her.Billy has a crush on Sally but hasn't asked for her phone number because he thinks she'll say "no." This is a case of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of pluralistic ignorance, where both Sally and Billy hold a false belief that the other is not interested in them, leading to inaction on both their parts.

Question 17

Dave is a clinical psychologist with a specialization in clinical depression and suicidal ideation.One day he is walking home from work when he notices a group of 20 people standing and staring up at the sky.Curious,he joins the group and sees a person on the roof of a 30-story building-seemingly preparing to jump.Suddenly,someone in the crowd starts chanting "jump." Soon the other 20 people start chanting as well-Dave included.Dave's behavior is likely the result of

Accepted Answer

Dave's behavior is an example of deindividuation, which refers to the loss of self-awareness and individual identity when in a group setting. The anonymity provided by being part of a large group can lead individuals to engage in behaviors they might not otherwise do if they were alone or easily identifiable. In this case, Dave may have felt a sense of anonymity and lack of accountability for his actions, which led him to participate in the chant encouraging the jumper to take their own life.

Question 18

Professional athletes often perform better in front of a large crowd during a game than alone during practice.This finding supports the theory of

Accepted Answer

Social facilitation is the phenomenon where the presence of others enhances an individual's performance on a task. In this case, the athletes perform better in front of a large crowd, which is an example of social facilitation. Social loafing is the opposite phenomenon, where individuals exert less effort on a task when they are part of a group than when they are working alone. Social comparison is the process of using others as a standard for evaluating oneself. Deindividuation is the loss of self-awareness and individuality that can occur when individuals are part of a group. None of these other options directly explain why athletes perform better in front of a large crowd.

Question 19

A person who is able to motivate others to identify with and commit themselves to the group's mission would be best described as a(n)

Accepted Answer

The description best fits a transformational leader, who is known for inspiring and motivating followers to transcend their own self-interests for the good of the group or organization. They focus on building relationships and empowering their followers to achieve their full potential, ultimately leading to a shared commitment to the group's mission.

Question 20

Which statement is true?

Accepted Answer

The statement that is true is that the presence of others speeds up the performance of simple, well-learned tasks. Studies have shown that the presence of others can lead to social facilitation, where the performance of simple tasks improves in the presence of others. This only applies to tasks that are well-learned and do not require a lot of cognitive effort. For complex tasks, the statement that competition motivates people to work better together is not necessarily true, as collaboration and cooperation may be more effective in such situations. The statement that environmental distractions always undermine performance is also not accurate, as some level of distraction can actually enhance creativity and problem-solving.

Quiz 8: Group Influence