Question 1

Kurt Lewin is quoted as saying,"There is nothing so practical as a good theory." This quote is best interpreted as meaning that

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin believed that understanding the underlying reasons for social problems is necessary in order to effectively find solutions. This means that having a good theory about why a problem exists is critical for creating practical solutions. Therefore, the quote should be interpreted as emphasizing the importance of theoretical understanding for solving practical problems.

Question 2

Communication between group members to facilitate improvements to the environment work best if communication

Accepted Answer

Communication between group members to facilitate improvements to the environment works best when done face-to-face in small groups. This allows for open and honest discussion, active participation by all group members, and the opportunity to build personal connections and relationships with others in the group. Large group settings may not allow for individual voices to be heard, while having a strong leader may discourage some group members from speaking up. Inducing fear or relying on a celebrity spokesperson may not lead to sustained behavior change or genuine commitment to environmental improvements.

Question 3

One of the most important research methods for social psychologists who seek to answer questions about social influence is

Accepted Answer

Experiments are the most effective way for social psychologists to study social influence because they allow for the manipulation of variables in a controlled setting, allowing researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships. Observational, correlational, and case studies cannot provide this level of control and do not allow for causal inferences to be made. Interviews may provide valuable insights, but they are not as objective or controlled as experiments.

Question 4

A _______ refers to the idea that what is beneficial for an individual will be harmful if all people chose that course of action.

Accepted Answer

The idea described in the question is known as a social dilemma, where an individual's self-interest conflicts with the collective interest of the group. In this case, if everyone acted in their own self-interest, the outcome would not be optimal for the group as a whole. A zero-sum situation refers to a scenario where one person's gain is another person's loss, while a commons dilemma refers to a situation where individuals have access to shared resources that can be depleted if too many people use them. Therefore, the best choice is E) social dilemma.

Question 5

The study by Reno,Cialdini and Kallgren (1993)that found people were more likely to pick up litter after watching a model do so is an example of reducing littering using a(n)

Accepted Answer

The study demonstrates an injunctive norm, which involves behavior that is perceived as being approved or disapproved by others. Watching a model pick up litter signals that this behavior is socially approved, thus encouraging others to do the same.

Question 6

What did Sydney,Nova Scotia adolescents identify as the biggest problem in their neighbourhood?

Accepted Answer

Pollution was identified as the biggest problem by adolescents in Sydney, Nova Scotia, largely due to the toxic environmental legacy of the Sydney Tar Ponds.

Question 7

According to the introduction to the chapter on social psychology and the environment,to avoid environmental disaster

Accepted Answer

The introduction states that attitudes and behaviors must be changed in order to avoid environmental disaster. While new laws, a simpler lifestyle, and new energy sources may all play a role in environmental protection, the focus on social psychology suggests that changing attitudes and behaviors is the key to success. Education is also important, but the introduction does not state that it must begin in elementary school specifically.

Question 8

People most likely to underestimate what they can do to change injunctive norms around improving the environment are

Accepted Answer

High-status individuals may feel that they have less power to change injunctive norms because they may be more invested in maintaining the status quo and fear that challenging norms could jeopardize their social status. They may also perceive themselves as having less social influence than they actually do, and thus underestimate their ability to effect change.

Question 9

Communication between group members facilitates donation of resources to a group effort to save the environment because

Accepted Answer

The answer of Communication between group members facilitates donation of...

Question 10

In the study conducted by Orbell and colleagues (1988),a participant could keep 6 dollars or donate it and have the money double.Most participants who played the game

Accepted Answer

The study by Orbell and colleagues (1988) found that participants were more likely to donate the money when there was group discussion about the virtues of donating, indicating the influence of social interaction and collective reasoning on decision-making.

Question 11

Which of the following scenarios is an example of a social dilemma?

Accepted Answer

This scenario presents a social dilemma, as Hilary's decision to not subscribe to the public radio station would have a collective impact on many people who also rely on the station. If everyone acted in their individual self-interest and did not make pledges, the station would disappear. This is a classic example of a social dilemma, where individual decisions conflict with the collective good. The other scenarios presented do not involve a collective impact or decision-making dilemma.

Question 12

One of the reasons that it is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of a new energy conservation program is that

Accepted Answer

The presence of a randomly assigned control group is crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of a new energy conservation program. This allows for a comparison between the group that was exposed to the program and a group that was not, which helps to identify the impact of the program. Without a control group, it is difficult to determine whether the observed changes in energy consumption were actually caused by the program or by some other external factors.

Question 13

Based on the research conducted by Reno,Cialdini and Kallgren (1993),one effective technique for having your friend pick up her discarded granola bar wrapper is to

Accepted Answer

The research conducted by Reno, Cialdini and Kallgren (1993) found that the most effective technique for having someone pick up after themselves was to have them observe someone else engaging in the desired behavior. Therefore, having your friend observe you picking up after yourself would be the best choice out of the given options.

Question 14

According to Kurt Lewin,the founder of social psychology,pressing social problems can be addressed by

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin believed that social psychological theories and methods could be effectively used to address pressing social problems by understanding and influencing human behavior.

Question 15

According to Kurt Lewin,the founder of social psychology,social psychological questions about the environment are best addressed by

Accepted Answer

According to Kurt Lewin, experimental methods are the best way to address social psychological questions about the environment. This allows for manipulation of variables and control of extraneous factors to determine cause and effect relationships.

Question 16

Kurt Lewin is considered to be the

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin is known as the founder of empirical social psychology. He is credited with introducing experimental methods to study social behavior and was a major figure in the development of social psychology as a scientific discipline. While he made contributions to applied psychology and methodology, he is most recognized for his impact on social psychology.

Question 17

Social psychologists are better equipped to study applied problems such as the environment because of our emphasis on

Accepted Answer

Social psychologists use the experimental method to study cause-and-effect relationships, which is crucial for understanding and addressing applied problems like environmental issues.

Question 18

One difference between medical disciplines and social psychology in the application of treatments is that

Accepted Answer

The answer of One difference between medical disciplines and social...

Question 19

Social psychological research investigating environmental issues is best characterized as

Accepted Answer

Social psychological research investigating environmental issues is focused on practical solutions and interventions, making it best characterized as applied research.

Question 20

Sometimes to make big changes in the environment,one needs

Accepted Answer

Making small changes can lead to a ripple effect, making it easier to implement larger changes in the future. It also allows for experimentation and adaptation to changes as they occur. While convincing politicians, organizing demonstrations, and bringing media attention are important, they may not always be necessary or effective without first establishing a foundation of small changes. Inducing fear in the public is not a recommended tactic as fear can lead to panic and irrational decision-making.

Quiz 13: The Intersection of Social Psychology and Environmental Issues