Question 1

If you are exhibiting the self-serving bias,which statement would be your most likely explanation for a poor grade on the test?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you are exhibiting the self-serving bias,which...

Question 2

The field of _____ examines the influence of cognitive biases and attribution errors on people's economic decision making.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral economics is the field of study that examines the influence of cognitive biases and attribution errors on people's economic decision making. Forensic psychology focuses on criminal behavior, industrial/organizational psychology focuses on workplace behavior, and economic psychology is a less common and less specific term.

Question 3

George met Paul at a seminar for the first time.When Paul expressed his political interests,George felt that Paul was very much like him as they shared the same opinions on political ideals.George's inference is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The assumed-similarity bias refers to the tendency to assume that others are similar to oneself in terms of attitudes, beliefs and values. This is evident in George's inference that Paul is like him in terms of political opinions. It is not selective perception as there is no indication that George is only perceiving information that confirms his beliefs, nor is it self-serving bias as George is not seeking to enhance his own self-esteem. It is also not fundamental attribution error as there is no indication of George making an error in attributing Paul's behavior to his personality or disposition.

Question 4

"Probably,he cheated on the test because he is a dishonest person." This is a(n)_____ attribution.

Accepted Answer

The attribution suggests that the person's behavior is due to their disposition or internal traits (dishonesty), rather than being influenced by external factors or situational circumstances.

Question 5

Fiona got an e-mail from her manager,Rebecca,asking her to meet to discuss a past project.Unfortunately,Fiona was struggling to complete a project due that afternoon and had to reply that she was too busy to meet today.Rebecca was not pleased with Fiona's refusal to meet her and told another coworker that she thought Fiona was "too busy and important" to meet with her supervisor,thus she is an unpleasant snob.Rebecca is making a ______ attribution of Fiona.

Accepted Answer

Rebecca is making a dispositional attribution of Fiona, meaning she is assuming Fiona's behavior is due to her personality traits or character rather than external circumstances.

Question 6

Which of the following is TRUE of the fundamental attribution error?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the fundamental attribution error is more common in Western cultures than in Eastern cultures. In Western cultures, individuals tend to attribute others' behavior to dispositional factors more often than to situational factors, while in Eastern cultures, individuals tend to consider the situational context more when attributing others' behavior. Group level differences have also been found, with some variability within cultures.

Question 7

The tendency to attribute personal success to personal factors (skill,ability,or effort)and to attribute failure to factors outside oneself is known as the:

Accepted Answer

The self-serving bias refers to the tendency for people to attribute their successes to personal factors such as skill or effort, while blaming external factors such as bad luck or a difficult task for their failures. This bias helps to protect self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image.

Question 8

Sharon was made the captain of her softball team due to her excellent playing skills.However,the fact that she did not display good team management skills and was not very cooperative with her teammates was ignored while making her the captain.Which of the following biases is illustrated in this instance?

Accepted Answer

The halo effect is the tendency to judge someone positively or negatively based on one prominent characteristic, in this case Sharon's excellent playing skills. The fact that she lacked good team management skills and cooperation with her teammates was ignored because of the halo effect.

Question 9

Which of the following is TRUE of schemas?

Accepted Answer

Schemas help us make assumptions and predictions about others based on limited information. They are not immune to error and can be influenced by mood and other factors, but they are still a valuable tool for quickly processing and understanding social situations. Option A describes cognitive dissonance, not schemas. Option B is clearly false. Option C is also incorrect, as schemas are subject to bias and interpretation.

Question 10

Unusually important characteristics that help one form an initial overall impression of another individual are called _____ traits.

Accepted Answer

Central traits are those that are highly influential in shaping our initial impressions of others. These traits are typically related to a person's personality or character and can have a significant impact on our overall perception of them. Primary traits refer to the more basic characteristics that are common to most people, while cardinal traits are extremely rare and dominant aspects of a person's personality. Schematic traits refer to the beliefs and expectations that we have about different social groups.

Question 11

Shaun is angry at the way a coworker has treated him.Shaun feels justified in his anger because "surely,anybody would feel the same way if the same thing happened to them." This example reveals Shaun's susceptibility to the:

Accepted Answer

Shaun's belief that anyone in his situation would feel the same way is an example of the assumed-similarity bias, which is the tendency for people to overestimate the extent to which others think, feel, and behave like them. It is not the halo effect (A), which occurs when a person's overall impression of someone influences their evaluation of that person's specific traits. It is also not the self-serving bias (C), which is the tendency to take credit for one's successes but attribute failures to external factors, or the fundamental attribution error (D), which involves overemphasizing dispositional (internal) factors and underemphasizing situational (external) factors when explaining someone else's behavior.

Question 12

Behavioral economists:

Accepted Answer

Behavioral economists focus on how people's judgments and decisions can be influenced by cognitive biases, emotions, and various other factors that can lead to irrational behavior.

Question 13

One forms an impression of another individual:

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that people form their first impression of someone within the first few seconds of meeting them. While additional interactions and experiences can further shape that impression, the initial impression is often the strongest and most lasting.

Question 14

Perceived causes of behavior that are based on internal traits or personality factors are called _____ causes.

Accepted Answer

Perceived causes of behavior that are based on internal traits or personality factors are called dispositional causes.

Question 15

_____ are brought about by something in the environment.

Accepted Answer

Situational causes are brought about by something in the environment. Dispositional causes are internal attributes of a person, internal causes are physical or biological factors, and personality causes are traits or characteristics of an individual.

Question 16

While making a fundamental attribution error,we center our attention on the person whose behavior we're considering because:

Accepted Answer

The answer of While making a fundamental attribution error,we center...

Question 17

If we do well on a test,we say,"I got an A!" If we do poorly,we say,"She gave me an F." This best illustrates:

Accepted Answer

The self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute successes to internal factors (such as our own abilities or effort) but to attribute failures to external factors (such as the teacher being too hard or the test being unfair). In this scenario, taking credit for doing well with an "I got an A!" statement is an example of the self-serving bias, while blaming the teacher with a "She gave me an F" statement is also an example of the self-serving bias, but in a negative light.

Question 18

In determining the causes of others' behavior,we overemphasize _____ factors;this is the _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In determining the causes of others' behavior,we...

Question 19

Which of the following attribution biases is correctly matched with its definition?

Accepted Answer

The halo effect refers to the tendency to form an overall impression of an individual based on a single trait, leading us to assume that they possess other positive or negative characteristics as well. The other options are incorrect in their definitions.

Question 20

The fundamental attribution error is very common because:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The fundamental attribution error is very common...

Quiz 14: Social Psychology