Question 1

Christine conducts cross-cultural research and Betty conducts multicultural research.Which of the following best describes Christine's and Betty's approaches to their research?

Accepted Answer

Christine's cross-cultural research approach typically involves comparing cultures by sampling individuals from many different countries to understand cultural differences or similarities. Betty's multicultural research focuses on interactions and variations within a single, often diverse, society rather than across international borders.

Question 2

Horatio compares the kinds of group biases exhibited by collectivist cultures to those exhibited by individualistic cultures.What kind of research is Horatio most likely engaged in?

Accepted Answer

Horatio is comparing biases exhibited by collectivist and individualistic cultures, indicating that he is likely engaging in cross-cultural research.

Question 3

Izzy finds that when people vacate a parking spot,they do so more slowly when there is someone waiting to take their spot than if there is no one waiting.He attributes this behaviour to an innate predisposition towards territoriality.Izzy's findings represent a combination of work in social psychology and which of the following fields of study?

Accepted Answer

Izzy's findings suggest that the behavior is rooted in an innate predisposition towards territoriality, which is an area of study within evolutionary psychology.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes social neuroscience?

Accepted Answer

Social neuroscience is the study of the interaction between social and neural processes, specifically how social experiences and behaviors are related to brain activity and structure. It involves the use of brain imaging techniques such as fMRI, EEG, and PET scans to investigate the neural basis of social behavior, cognition, and emotion.

Question 5

Jeff is a social psychologist who favours the "cold" approach to understanding human behaviour.He is conducting research on why people fail to use condoms even when they know that they can reduce their risk of getting HIV by doing so.Which of the following subjects is Jeff least likely to devote his attention to?

Accepted Answer

The "cold" approach to understanding human behavior focuses on cognitive processes rather than emotional or motivational aspects. Therefore, Jeff, who favors this approach, is least likely to focus on people's drive to avoid inconsistency, as this involves motivational aspects.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the focus of a researcher who holds a behavioural genetics perspective?

Accepted Answer

A researcher who holds a behavioural genetics perspective is primarily concerned with understanding the extent to which behavioural tendencies can be attributed to genetic factors. This perspective emphasizes the role that genes play in shaping behaviour, including the heritability of traits such as personality, intelligence, and certain mental disorders. Option A may also be a focus of a behavioural genetics researcher but it is not the best description because it limits the examination to different societies, whereas behavioural genetics can examine the extent of genetic influence across cultures. Options C and D are not relevant to the focus of behavioural genetics.

Question 7

Jessica believes that her sons have been aggressive from birth because she and her husband Nick have inborn aggressive tendencies.Which area of study best reflects Jessica's beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Jessica's beliefs align with the principles of behavioral genetics, which suggests that genes contribute to individual differences in behavior and personality, including aggression.

Question 8

Which of the following questions would be of most interest to a social psychologist who studies behavioural genetics?

Accepted Answer

A social psychologist who studies behavioral genetics would be most interested in understanding to what extent attitudes are inherited. Behavioral genetics refers to the study of how genes and environment interact to shape human behavior, including attitudes. This question is directly related to this field of study. The other options are more relevant to other subfields of psychology, such as cognitive or health psychology.

Question 9

Amanda is a contemporary social psychologist who studies stereotyping.In which of the following types of processing is she likely to detect stereotyping?

Accepted Answer

Amanda is likely to detect stereotyping in both controlled and automatic processes because stereotyping can occur both consciously and unconsciously. Controlled processes involve deliberate and intentional thinking, while automatic processes are instinctual and occur without conscious thought. Stereotyping can happen in both types of processing, so Amanda would need to study both to fully understand how it operates.

Question 10

Which of the following statements best represents the "hot" perspective in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

According to the "hot" perspective in social psychology, emotions and arousal play a significant role in shaping attitudes and behaviors. A good mood can lead to more positive attitudes and willingness to change one's beliefs.

Question 11

Which of the following best describes social cognition?

Accepted Answer

Social cognition is the study of how we use information to understand and interpret our own and other people's behaviour, including social perception, attitudes, and stereotypes. Option B is more related to cultural psychology, option C pertains more to neuropsychology, and option D is about artificial intelligence.

Question 12

Social psychologists interested in how we learn,store,and recall information about other people are interested in which of the following subfields?

Accepted Answer

Social cognition refers to the study of how people store and use information about other people in their minds, including how they perceive, remember, and recall social information. It is a subfield of social psychology that is concerned with understanding the cognitive processes that underlie social behaviour. Evolutionary psychology (A) is focused on the adaptive functions of behaviour and cognition, while behavioural genetics (B) is concerned with the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to individual differences in behaviour. Multicultural psychology (D) looks at how cultural factors influence behaviour and cognition.

Question 13

Which field of study is concerned with how the brain influences social behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Social neuroscience is the field of study concerned with how the brain influences social behavior. It combines research from neuroscience and psychology to study social behavior and its underlying neural mechanisms.

Question 14

Kareem is trying to explain to his class the difference between behavioural genetics and evolutionary psychology by using altruistic behaviour as an example.In order to make the distinction clear,which of the following should he emphasize?

Accepted Answer

Emphasizing the adaptive nature of altruistic behaviour is the best way to distinguish between behavioural genetics and evolutionary psychology as both fields focus on how behaviour is shaped by evolution, but behavioural genetics focuses on the role of genetics and heredity, while evolutionary psychology emphasizes the adaptive function of behaviour. Sex differences in altruistic behaviour, social factors, and cognitive versus motivational influences are all important factors to consider, but they are not necessarily the key distinguishing features between the two fields.

Question 15

Fatma investigates whether the tendency for people to return favours is the result of natural selection.Which area is Fatma's research in?

Accepted Answer

Fatma's research is focused on the evolution of social behaviors, specifically the tendency to reciprocate favors. This falls under the umbrella of evolutionary psychology, which seeks to understand behavior through the lens of natural selection. Cross-cultural psychology focuses on studying similarities and differences in cultural norms and practices across different societies, while personality psychology investigates individual differences in traits and behavior. Multicultural psychology is concerned with understanding how culture affects mental health and psychological processes.

Question 16

Which of the following best characterizes the research by Falk and his colleagues (Falk et al. ,2009)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following best characterizes the...

Question 17

Which of the following areas is most concerned with the role of natural selection processes in the development of social behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology is concerned with the role of natural selection processes in the development of social behavior. It seeks to understand how human behaviors have evolved over time in response to environmental pressures and how this has shaped modern behavior.

Question 18

Approximately what percentage of social psychologists lives in North America?

Accepted Answer

According to a survey of social psychologists conducted in 2014, approximately 80% of respondents were based in North America. Therefore, the correct answer is option C - 75-90 percent.

Question 19

Which of the following is characteristic of the field of social psychology today?

Accepted Answer

The field of social psychology today places a strong emphasis on the role of culture in shaping behaviour, as evidenced by the increasing amount of research on cultural differences and the measurement and analysis of cultural dimensions. While there may be some attention paid to unconscious motivation and biological perspectives, these are not the primary focuses of the field. The issue of ethical standards in laboratory research is an ongoing concern, but it is not unique to social psychology and does not characterize the field as a whole.

Question 20

Nick believes that his sons are aggressive because throughout history it has been adaptive for men to be aggressive so that they can protect their territory and possessions.Which area of study best reflects Nick's beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Nick's beliefs are based on evolutionary psychology, which suggests that behaviors and traits have evolved over time as a result of natural selection. In this case, Nick believes that aggression in men was adaptive because it allowed them to protect their resources and territory, which is a common principle in evolutionary psychology.

Quiz 1: Introduction