Question 1

Which of the following is least representative of a self-serving bias?

Accepted Answer

A self-serving bias involves attributing successes to internal factors and failures to external factors. Choice A attributes success to an external factor (the opponent's lack of effort), which is not representative of a self-serving bias.

Question 2

After receiving an examination grade, students who do well

Accepted Answer

Students who do well on an exam tend to attribute their success to their own abilities and accept personal credit (A). They also tend to judge the exam to be a valid measure of their competence (B) and may be less likely to criticize the exam compared to those who do poorly (C). Therefore, all three choices are correct.

Question 3

In Scotland most late adolescents think they are much less likely than their peers to become infected by the AIDS virus. This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The fact that most late adolescents in Scotland believe they are less likely to become infected with the AIDS virus compared to their peers suggests unrealistic optimism. This is the tendency to believe that positive outcomes are more likely for oneself than for others, and negative outcomes are less likely to happen to oneself than others. This bias is commonly seen in the judgments people make about their future health, finance, and other outcomes.

Question 4

Research on the self-serving bias suggests that individual group members expect ______ rewards when their organization does well and ______ blame when it does not.

Accepted Answer

The self-serving bias suggests that individuals expect greater-than-average rewards when their organization does well and less-than-average blame when it does not. This bias is characterized by a tendency to take credit for success and blame others for failures. Therefore, choice C is the best option as it reflects these expectations.

Question 5

Jenny failed her last chemistry test. Which of the following conclusions would be most representative of a self-serving bias on Jenny's part?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a self-serving bias because Jenny is attributing her poor performance on external factors (the test questions) rather than taking personal responsibility for her performance.

Question 6

Lynne is an optimistic individual, and decides to go out one night to the casino to play some blackjack. Given her optimism, Lynne is most likely to

Accepted Answer

Optimism can lead individuals to persist in activities, even in the face of losses, because they believe that their fortunes will eventually turn for the better. This can result in continuing to gamble even as losses accumulate.

Question 7

Which of the following is particularly likely to increase our vulnerability to misfortune?

Accepted Answer

Unrealistic optimism refers to the tendency to believe that positive outcomes are more likely to occur than negative ones, even when evidence suggests otherwise. This can lead to underestimating risks and overestimating the chances of success, which can ultimately increase vulnerability to misfortune.

Question 8

According to research, students are more likely to rate themselves superior in _______ than in ______.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that students often rate themselves higher in moral goodness compared to intelligence, reflecting a tendency to view themselves as morally superior rather than intellectually superior.

Question 9

Hospital patients trained to believe in their ability to control stress tend to

Accepted Answer

Patients who are trained to believe in their ability to control stress tend to experience less anxiety and require fewer pain relievers and sedatives. This is because they are better equipped to manage their own stress levels and cope with discomfort. There is no evidence to suggest that these patients appear more anxious or depressed to nurses attending them.

Question 10

Langer and Rodin found that nursing home residents improved in alertness, activity, and happiness if they were

Accepted Answer

Langer and Rodin found that nursing home residents improved in alertness, activity, and happiness if they were asked to make personal choices and given responsibilities to fulfill. This is known as the "counterclockwise study," where the researchers attempted to create a more empowering and engaged environment for the residents by encouraging them to make decisions for themselves rather than being completely dependant on the caregivers.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

Research on attribution theory actually suggests that most people have a tendency to have unrealistically high self-esteem rather than unrealistically low self-esteem.

Question 12

Sometimes people exhibit a tendency to perceive themselves more favourably than the situation really dictates. This is known as:

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon where people tend to perceive themselves more positively than the situation warrants is called self-serving bias. It is a commonly observed cognitive bias that helps individuals maintain a positive self-image regardless of the circumstances. The self-serving bias can be seen in various aspects of life, such as academics, sports, interpersonal relationships, and work, among others.

Question 13

Which of the following situations best portrays learned helplessness?

Accepted Answer

Learned helplessness refers to a situation in which someone gives up trying to change a situation because they believe that their efforts will be fruitless. In this case, the person is avoiding making friends in university because of a belief they can't make friends, which stems from a previous failure.

Question 14

In their study of young married Canadians, Ross and Sicoly reported a tendency for them to

Accepted Answer

Ross and Sicoly's study found that individuals often perceive themselves as contributing more to household work than their spouse, highlighting a common bias in self-assessment regarding shared responsibilities.

Question 15

Prisoners given some control over their environments (e.g., being able to move chairs, control TV sets, and switch the lights)

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that giving prisoners some control over their environments, such as being able to move chairs, control TV sets, and switch the lights, can lead to a decrease in vandalism and other destructive behavior. It can also lead to prisoners feeling more respected and empowered, which can have positive effects on their mental health and well-being. There is no evidence to suggest that this leads to increased manipulation of prison officials, greater stress or health problems, or stronger guilt feelings over past misconduct.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that some level of pessimism or worry about an exam can actually motivate students to study harder and perform better. Overconfidence can lead to underpreparation and poor performance, while anxiety can also hinder studying and test-taking abilities. Therefore, option C is the most accurate statement.

Question 17

Which of the following are not among the many facets of self-serving bias?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias refers to the tendency to interpret information and perceive oneself in a way that benefits oneself. Insight, parental support, and intelligence can all be factors that contribute to self-serving bias, but freedom from bias would be the opposite of self-serving bias and therefore not a facet of it.

Question 18

The experience of repeated uncontrollable bad events contributes to

Accepted Answer

Repeated uncontrollable bad events can lead to learned helplessness, which is a belief that one's actions will not lead to desirable outcomes, resulting in a feeling of helplessness and loss of motivation to take action. This can lead to a sense of external control over one's life, rather than an internal locus of control. It can also lead to a more independent self, as those experiencing learned helplessness may feel they cannot rely on others for support. Self-efficacy, the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish tasks, may be lowered in those experiencing learned helplessness.

Question 19

After moving into a nursing home and experiencing little control over his daily schedule, Mr. Roark became apathetic, stopped eating, and even seemed to lose the will to live. Mr. Roark's reaction most clearly illustrates

Accepted Answer

Mr. Roark's experience of little control over his daily schedule is a classic example of learned helplessness, which occurs when someone is repeatedly exposed to uncontrollable negative events and subsequently gives up trying to exert any control. This can lead to apathy, loss of motivation, and even physical decline. The other options (B, C, D) are not applicable to this scenario.

Question 20

Given that every time he falls in love with a woman he gets dumped no matter how hard he tries to please her, John has decided not to get involved in any love relationships with women. John's behaviour most clearly demonstrates

Accepted Answer

John's behaviour is characteristic of learned helplessness, as he has learned that his efforts to please a woman will ultimately result in rejection and he feels helpless to change this pattern. Self-serving bias and unrealistic optimism do not adequately explain his behaviour, and there is no indication that John is particularly attuned to self-monitoring.

Quiz 2: The Self in a Social World