Deck 41: Stress and Illness

Question 1

Sixteen-year-old Gregory wrecked his parents' car on a snowy day.His parents assumed that the accident was caused by his carelessness and lack of concern for their car.Gregory's parents' assumption illustrates

A) a dispositional attribution.
B) an attitude.
C) a situational attribution.
D) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Rhonda has just learned that her neighbor Patricia was involved in an automobile accident at a nearby intersection.The tendency to make the fundamental attribution error may lead Rhonda to conclude

A) "Patricia's brakes must have failed."
B) "Patricia's recklessness has finally gotten her into trouble."
C) "Patricia's children probably distracted her."
D) "The road must have been wet and slippery."

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Isabella is angry because her boyfriend is late meeting her at the movie theater.She thinks that it is because he is unreliable and inconsiderate,when in fact he is late because a meeting at work ran late.Isabella has committed

A) the fundamental attribution error.
B) an attitude.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) cognitive dissonance.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The tendency for observers to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal dispositions on another's behavior is called

A) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
B) the fundamental attribution error.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) central route persuasion.

Question 5

You would probably be LEAST likely to commit the fundamental attribution error in explaining why

A) you failed a college test.
B) a classmate you don't know was late for class.
C) your professor gave a boring lecture.
D) the college administration decided to raise next year's tuition costs.

Question 6

According to ________,people explain behavior by crediting either the situation or the person's disposition.

A) attribution theory
B) cognitive dissonance theory
C) psychoanalytic theory
D) social influence theory

Question 7

Michelle's 6-year-old son is behaving very poorly in a restaurant.Michelle tells her friend that he is behaving badly because he is tired.Michelle's friend thinks the behavior results from poor parenting.Both explanations are examples of

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) an attitude.
C) an attribution.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 8

Compared with how we explain our own actions,in explaining other people's behavior we are more likely to refer to

A) dispositional influences.
B) role playing.
C) situational influences.
D) cognitive dissonance.

Question 9

Attribution theory was developed by

A) Walter Mishel.
B) Fritz Heider.
C) Robert Cialdini.
D) Phillip Zimbardo.

Question 10

In explaining our own behavior or the behavior of those we know well,we often resort to

A) dispositional attributions.
B) role playing.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) situational attributions.

Question 11

The text defines social psychology as the scientific study of how people ________ one another.

A) understand,feel about,and behave toward
B) think about,influence,and relate to
C) observe,understand,and communicate with
D) understand,predict,and control

Question 12

To analyze how people explain others' behavior,Fritz Heider developed

A) cognitive dissonance theory.
B) role-playing theory.
C) attribution theory.
D) attitude theory.

Question 13

Based on the text discussion of attribution theory,an attribution would be defined as

A) the process of utilizing central route persuasion.
B) a mental process people use to explain their behavior and the behavior of others.
C) a type of role playing.
D) the process of attitudes causing behavior.

Question 14

Caitlin concluded that her husband was late for dinner because he was caught in heavy traffic.Her conclusion best illustrates

A) a dispositional attribution.
B) an attitude.
C) a situational attribution.
D) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Question 15

Recognizing the powerful impact of social influence on others' behaviors is most likely to minimize

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) central route persuasion.
C) attitudes.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 16

A tendency to overestimate the extent to which a stranger's violent behavior stems from his or her aggressive personality best illustrates

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) an attitude.
C) the foot-in-the-door-phenomenon.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 17

Students who were told that a young woman had been instructed to act in a very unfriendly way for the purposes of the experiment concluded that her behavior

A) reflected her personal disposition.
B) was determined by the situation.
C) demonstrated role playing.
D) illustrated central route persuasion.

Question 18

Professor Hegg conducts research on cultural factors that contribute to the development of romantic love.Which specialty area does the professor's research best represent?

A) cognitive psychology
B) personality psychology
C) clinical psychology
D) social psychology

Question 19

A dispositional attribution is to ________ as a situational attribution is to ________.

A) central route persuasion;peripheral route persuasion
B) high ability;low motivation
C) personality traits;assigned roles
D) politically liberal;politically conservative

Question 20

People are especially likely to demonstrate the fundamental attribution error in cultures that value

A) individualism.
B) role playing.
C) collectivism.
D) attributions.

Question 21

A life insurance salesperson who takes advantage of the foot-in-the-door phenomenon would be most likely to

A) emphasize that his company is one of the largest in the insurance industry.
B) promise a free gift to those who agree to purchase an insurance policy.
C) ask customers to respond to a brief survey of their attitudes regarding life insurance.
D) address customers by their first names.

Question 22

First agreeing to a small request tends to make it more likely that you will later agree to a larger request.This is known as

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) the fundamental attribution error.
C) central route persuasion.
D) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Question 23

Our attitudes are more likely to guide our actions when we

A) experience the fundamental attribution error.
B) feel incompetent or insecure.
C) can easily recall our attitudes.
D) are exposed to cognitive dissonance.

Question 24

A television commercial for a fast-food restaurant shows three women in bikinis eating the restaurant's triple decker hamburger.This commercial best illustrates

A) central route persuasion.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Question 25

Cynthia thinks that her new neighbor is mean and snobbish.This ________ will likely influence Cynthia to act negatively toward her neighbor.

A) attitude
B) foot-in-the-door phenomenon
C) situational attribution
D) role playing

Question 26

The fundamental attribution error is most likely to lead observers to conclude that unemployed people

A) are victims of discrimination.
B) are irresponsible and unmotivated.
C) have parents who provided poor models of social responsibility.
D) attended schools that provided an inferior education.

Question 27

An adult's attitude toward church attendance is most likely to predict his or her likelihood of attending church if

A) the attitude is implicit rather than explicit.
B) the attitude first developed during adulthood.
C) the attitude is moderately positive rather than extremely positive.
D) the attitude is stable and enduring.

Question 28

Poverty and unemployment are likely to be explained in terms of ________ by political liberals and in terms of ________ by political conservatives.

A) personal dispositions;situational constraints
B) role playing;personal dispositions
C) situational constraints;personal dispositions
D) situational influences;role playing

Question 29

To "brainwash" captured American soldiers during the Korean war,Chinese communists made effective use of

A) attribution theory.
B) role playing.
C) central route persuasion.
D) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Question 30

One explanation for the fundamental attribution error involves observers'

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) limited visual perspective.
C) role playing.
D) central route persuasion.

Question 31

Sixteen-year-old Jessica is pressured by her friends into drinking alcohol.Later she also gives in to them and tries heroin.Her experience best illustrates

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) attribution theory.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) central route persuasion.

Question 32

Opinion change resulting from incidental cues such as a speaker's attractiveness illustrates

A) central route persuasion.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Question 33

Central route persuasion is most likely when people

A) are naturally analytical.
B) are uninvolved in an issue.
C) make snap judgments.
D) have difficulty paying attention.

Question 34

Magazine computer ads seldom feature endorsements from Hollywood stars or great athletes.Instead,they offer detailed information for consumers to develop more positive opinions about the company's products.This advertising strategy best illustrates

A) peripheral route persuasion.
B) central route persuasion.
C) attributions.
D) cognitive dissonance.

Question 35

Researchers have filmed two people interacting face-to-face with cameras located just behind each person.Showing each person a replay of their interaction filmed from the other person's perspective increased their tendency to attribute the other person's behavior to

A) dispositional influences.
B) situational influences.
C) personality traits.
D) role playing.

Question 36

Feelings,often influenced by our beliefs,that predispose us to respond in particular ways to objects,people,and events are called

A) roles.
B) dissonance.
C) attitudes.
D) attributions.

Question 37

Our attitudes about another person are MOST likely to influence the way we treat that person if our attitudes are

A) negative.
B) positive.
C) unconscious.
D) stable.

Question 38

Which of the following individuals is LEAST likely to cheat on his income tax returns?

A) Jake,who loves his country
B) Jonas,who admires personal honesty
C) Mikhail,who positively values paying his full income tax
D) Fabio,who cares little about personal wealth

Question 39

Jackson will only buy foreign-built cars because he thinks that all domestically built cars are unreliable.Jackson's feeling about cars built in the United States is an example of

A) an attitude.
B) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
C) a social norm.
D) role playing.

Question 40

Reversing the perspectives of actor and observer reduces ________ among observers.

A) central route persuasion
B) cognitive dissonance
C) role playing
D) the fundamental attribution error

Question 41

Connie reluctantly took a part-time job as a waitress,which she was certain she would hate.After giving her a uniform,her boss explained that,no matter what,she needed to be courteous to the customers.When she put on her uniform,she began smiling at and talking politely to the customers (just like her fellow employees).Based on the findings of Zimbardo's prison study,Connie's change in attitude about her job illustrates the impact of

A) role playing on attitudes.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) attributions.
D) cognitive dissonance.

Question 42

College professors are typically expected to teach courses,engage in scholarly activity,and serve on a variety of college committees.These professional duties are best described as requirements associated with a specific

A) attribution.
B) attitude.
C) role.
D) disposition.

Question 43

When Arturo and Maria visit a local jewelry store to purchase an engagement ring,the store is crowded and there is only one salesperson.When the salesperson finally approaches them,she is irritated by their request for help.Arturo and Maria realize that her behavior is due to the lack of sales help and the number of customers in the store.They are attributing the salesperson's behavior based on

A) situational attributions.
B) dispositional attributions.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) central route persuasion.

Question 44

Cognitive dissonance theory emphasizes that we seek to reduce the discomfort we feel when we become aware that

A) our attitudes and actions clash.
B) our efforts to achieve a goal have been blocked.
C) we have overestimated the impact of personal dispositions on behavior.
D) others' pursuit of their self-interest can harm our well-being.

Question 45

Cognitive dissonance refers to the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are

A) implicit.
B) conciliatory.
C) inconsistent.
D) reciprocated.

Question 46

When no weapons of mass destruction were found following the U.S.invasion of Iraq,some Americans revised their memories of the main rationale for going to war.We can best explain why people changed their memories in terms of

A) the fundamental attribution error.
B) role-playing theory.
C) central route persuasion.
D) cognitive dissonance theory.

Question 47

During a test,Abe impulsively copied several answers from a nearby student's paper.He felt very uncomfortable about having done this until he convinced himself that copying answers is not wrong if classmates are careless enough to expose their test sheets.Which theory best explains why Abe adopted this new attitude?

A) role-playing theory
B) attribution theory
C) persuasion theory
D) cognitive dissonance theory

Question 48

Cognitive dissonance theory is most helpful for understanding

A) central route persuasion.
B) the fundamental attribution error.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) peripheral route persuasion.

Question 49

Feeling responsible for behavior that violates our conscience is most likely to contribute to

A) central route persuasion.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the fundamental attribution error.
D) attributions.

Question 50

Juanita is a new second-grade teacher who believes that when correcting the behavior of a child you should explain why the behavior is wrong and how to change the behavior.Her teaching mentor believes that focusing on discipline and correcting each mistake harshly will help avoid behavior problems in the future.Juanita is now using the same harsh discipline.Based on the findings of Zimbardo's prison study,Juanita's change in attitude about her job illustrates the impact of

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) attributions.
D) role playing on attitudes.

Question 51

Mark obeyed the commands of his military unit officer to engage in destructive behavior that was sharply inconsistent with Mark's ethical values.The discomfort associated with Mark's awareness of the inconsistency between his values and his actions best illustrates

A) the fundamental attribution error.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) role playing.

Question 52

In the years immediately following the introduction of school desegregation in the United States and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,White Americans expressed diminishing racial prejudice.According to the text author,this best illustrated the impact of

A) role playing.
B) actions on attitudes.
C) the fundamental attribution error.
D) attributions.

Question 53

Studies of role playing most directly highlight the effects of

A) group size on persuasion.
B) actions on cognitive dissonance.
C) an audience on central route persuasion.
D) actions on attitudes.

Question 54

Jenna initially did not like her best friend's new boyfriend,Luke.But because she didn't want to lose the friendship,she was nice to him.After a time,Jenna's began to actually like Luke.By altering her behavior,Jenna changed her negative attitude toward her best friend's boyfriend.This is an example of

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) informational social influence.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) attribution theory.

Question 55

The participants in Philip Zimbardo's simulated prison study

A) were assigned the roles of prisoner or guard on the basis of their personality test scores.
B) found it very difficult to play the role of prison guard.
C) were so endangered by their role-playing experience that the study was discontinued.
D) experienced cognitive dissonance as a result of the study.

Question 56

Professor Stewart wrote a very positive letter of recommendation for a student despite having doubts about her competence.Which theory best explains why he subsequently began to develop more favorable attitudes about the student's abilities?

A) cognitive dissonance theory
B) attribution theory
C) central route persuasion
D) fundamental attribution error

Question 57

The mental process of inferring the causes of people's behavior,including one's own,is called

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) an attitude.
C) an attribution.
D) central route persuasion.

Question 58

The fundamental attribution error

A) involves underestimating the dispositional factors involved in a behavior.
B) refers to the feelings,often influenced by our beliefs,that predispose us to respond in a particular way.
C) involves underestimating situational constraints on another's behavior.
D) occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues,such as a speaker's attractiveness.

Question 59

Jackie is trying to decide which computer to purchase.After reading various articles comparing computers and researching the different types of computers in Consumer Reports,she makes her decision.Jackie's decision illustrates

A) central route persuasion.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) attribution theory.

Question 60

In atrocious situations such as Zimbardo's simulated prison,some people succumb to the situation and others do not.This best illustrates

A) central route persuasion.
B) peripheral route persuasion.
C) attribution theory.
D) the interactive influence of persons and situations.

Question 61

Attribution theory was designed to account for

A) the process of revealing intimate aspects of ourselves to others.
B) the impact of both heredity and environment on social behavior.
C) the loss of self-awareness that occurs in group situations.
D) how people explain others' behavior.

Question 62

Attribution theory suggests that we tend to attribute others' behavior either to their

A) heredity or their environment.
B) biological motives or their psychological motives.
C) thoughts or their emotions.
D) dispositions or their situations.

Question 63

The ways in which people explain their behavior and the behavior of others are referred to as

A) attributions.
B) attitudes.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) dispositions.

Question 64

Students in Professor Chu's psychology class scored much lower than normal on their latest exam,which was just before Spring break.Professor Chu believes that students were preoccupied with the upcoming break and did not prepare well for the exam.Professor Chu's explanation for his students' exam performance is an example of

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) an attitude.
C) an attribution.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 65

Cognitive dissonance theory is most helpful for understanding the impact of

A) central route persuasion on decision making.
B) peripheral route persuasion on social conflict.
C) situational dispositions on behavior.
D) role playing on attitude change.

Question 66

Bart complied with his friends' request to join them in smashing decorative pumpkins early one Halloween evening.Later that night he was surprised by his own failure to resist their pressures to throw eggs at passing police cars.Bart's experience best illustrates

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
C) the fundamental attribution error.
D) central route persuasion.

Question 67

Freire did very poorly on his last arithmetic test.The tendency to make the fundamental attribution error might lead his sixth-grade teacher to conclude that Freire did poorly because

A) he is unmotivated to do well in school.
B) the test covered material that had not been adequately covered in class.
C) his parents had an argument the evening before the test.
D) he was not given enough time to complete the test.

Question 68

Amir believes that his brother's grades are higher than his grades because his brother's classes are significantly less difficult.Amir's belief about his brother's grades is an example of

A) a situational attribution.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) a personality attribution.

Question 69

Dr.Strayer investigates the mental processes we use to make sense of our social environment and form judgments about the characteristics and motives of other people.Dr.Strayer is most likely a(n)________ psychologist.

A) evolutionary
B) clinical
C) social
D) cognitive

Question 70

Which branch of psychology is most directly concerned with the study of how people think about,influence,and relate to one another?

A) developmental psychology
B) social psychology
C) personality psychology
D) clinical psychology

Question 71

Professor Szumski conducts research designed to identify persuasion strategies that promote lasting changes in attitudes.Professor Szumski is most likely a ________ psychologist.

A) personality
B) clinical
C) social
D) biological

Question 72

Dr.Hirt investigates the mental processes we use to make sense of our social environment and form judgments attributions about the behavior of others.Dr.Hirt is most likely a ________ psychologist.

A) personality
B) clinical
C) social
D) developmental

Question 73

Ksana insists that her boyfriend's car accident resulted from his carelessness.Her explanation for the accident provides an example of

A) a situational attribution.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) a dispositional attribution.

Question 74

Shawna,who notices that her sister volunteers in many charitable organizations,believes that her sister is a very caring,giving person.Shawna's explanation of her sister's behavior is an example of

A) a situational attribution.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) a dispositional attribution.

Question 75

The fundamental attribution error refers to our tendency to underestimate the impact of ________ and to overestimate the impact of ________ in explaining the behavior of others.

A) attitudes;cognitive dissonance
B) cognitive dissonance;attitudes
C) personal dispositions;situational influences
D) situational influences;personal dispositions

Question 76

Monica sees Laurena,who is normally shy,give a speech in class with confidence.Monica therefore attributes Laurena's behavior to the course requirement.Monica's explanation for Laurena's behavior is an example of

A) a situational attribution.
B) cognitive dissonance.
C) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
D) a dispositional attribution.

Question 77

Ilhan is not upset that his girlfriend forgot his birthday because he believes that she forgot because she was worried about her upcoming finals and her father's health.Ilhan's explanation for his girlfriend's forgetfulness is an example of

A) an attribution.
B) an attitude.
C) cognitive dissonance.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 78

Rebecca needs a new car.When she sees her favorite movie star in a car commercial,she decides to purchase the car advertised in the commercial.Rebecca's decision making illustrates

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) central route persuasion.
C) peripheral route persuasion.
D) a situational attribution.

Question 79

The tendency in individualist cultures to attribute the behavior of others to internal,personal characteristics,while ignoring or underestimating the effects of external,situational factors is called

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) an attitude.
C) foot-in-the-door-phenomenon.
D) the fundamental attribution error.

Question 80

Marilyn believes that her professor's strict class attendance policy indicates that he has an overcontrolling personality,without considering that the policy is good is necessary because of the limited number of class sessions in a course that meets only once a week.Her belief best illustrates

A) cognitive dissonance.
B) a situational disposition.
C) peripheral route persuasion.
D) the fundamental attribution error.