People sometimes feel uncertain in new situations when they do not know what to expect. This uncertainty develops when people do not have a(n) _____ to guide their perception of the new event.
A) stereotype
B) schema
C) attribution
D) context

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A schema is a mental framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information. When encountering a new situation or event, people rely on existing schemas to try to make sense of it. If they do not have a relevant schema to guide their perception, they may feel uncertain or confused. Stereotypes (A) and attributions (C) are related to social categorization and evaluation of others, while context (D) refers to the environment or situation in which something occurs and can be used to provide additional information, but it is not as directly related to perception as schema.

People Sometimes Feel Uncertain in New Situations When They Do