Question 1

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

By saying that the test questions were ambiguous and confusing, Jenny is shifting the blame for her failure onto external factors instead of taking responsibility for not understanding the material. This is an example of a self-serving bias. The other options either acknowledge a personal fault (lack of motivation, lack of competence) or lack of effort (not concentrating).

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The tendency to perceive oneself more favourably than the situation really dictates is known as self-serving bias. This bias is a cognitive or perceptual process that is used to maintain a positive self-image. People tend to attribute their successes to internal factors (such as their abilities) and their failures to external factors (such as bad luck or someone else's fault). This bias can be harmful if it causes people to overlook their own weaknesses or the role they may have played in negative outcomes.

Question 3

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 have lower levels of anxiety and require fewer pain relievers and sedatives.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that prisoners given some control over their environments tend to commit less vandalism and behave better within their living space. This is because they feel some sense of ownership and responsibility for their surroundings.

Question 5

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 reaction is consistent with learned helplessness, a phenomenon where individuals come to believe they have no control over their environment, leading to apathy and disengagement. In this case, Mr. Roark likely feels helpless to control his schedule and decision-making in the nursing home, leading to his distress. The other options, while potentially relevant in other contexts, are not applicable to this scenario.

Question 6

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 demonstrates learned helplessness, as he has given up on trying to form romantic relationships due to his repeated experiences of failure and rejection.

Question 7

According to research, people are more likely to rate themselves superior in

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that people tend to overrate their driving abilities compared to others, even when objective measures suggest otherwise. This is known as the "driving illusion." The other options are not supported by research and are generally not behaviors or qualities that people would view as desirable.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Unrealistic optimism, while providing some benefits in terms of motivation and resilience, can increase our vulnerability to misfortune by leading us to underestimate risks and overlook potential problems.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT among the many facets of self-serving bias?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias refers to the tendency to attribute our successes to internal factors (such as our own abilities) while attributing our failures to external factors (such as bad luck or the actions of others). It involves a variety of facets, including intelligence, insight, and parental support. However, freedom from bias is not considered a facet of self-serving bias, as it implies an absence of bias rather than a tendency to favor oneself.

Question 10

After receiving an examination grade, students who do well tend NOT to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Students who do well on an exam tend to attribute their success to internal factors such as innate ability or hard work, rather than external factors such as luck or an easy exam. Therefore, they are more likely to emphasize their abilities rather than downplay them.

Question 11

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 have an inherent tendency to take credit for success and blame others for failure. As a result, they expect greater-than-average rewards when their organization does well but less-than-average blame when it does not. Choice C accurately reflects this expectation pattern.

Question 12

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 belief that one is less likely to experience negative events than others is known as unrealistic optimism. This is evident in the scenario presented in the question, where most late adolescents in Scotland believe they are less likely than their peers to contract the AIDS virus.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is least representative...

Question 14

Which of the following situations best portrays learned helplessness?

Accepted Answer

Learned helplessness occurs when an individual feels powerless to change their situation due to repeated past failures. In this scenario, the individual has given up on making friends because they were unable to do so in high school, indicating a learned sense of helplessness in social situations. The other options do not necessarily relate to learned helplessness as they do not involve repeated experiences of failure or lack of control.

Question 15

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 16

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 when they were given more control over their lives by being asked to make personal choices and given responsibilities to fulfill. This sense of autonomy and purpose helped to increase their overall well-being.

Question 17

The experience of repeated uncontrollable bad events contributes to

Accepted Answer

The experience of repeated uncontrollable bad events contributes to learned helplessness, which is the belief that one is unable to control or influence the outcome of a situation. This can lead to a sense of powerlessness and diminished motivation to take action, as individuals may come to believe their efforts are futile. Options A, B, and D are not accurate descriptions of the effects of repeated uncontrollable bad events.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

Research on attribution theory does not necessarily support the notion that most people suffer from unrealistically low self-esteem. Rather, it suggests that people tend to make attributions in a way that protects their self-esteem, which can sometimes lead to unrealistic beliefs about their abilities or performance.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Some pessimism about an exam can motivate students to study harder and do better. This is because a moderate level of anxiety and stress can actually enhance performance by increasing focus and motivation. However, too much anxiety can be detrimental to performance. Therefore, a balance of pessimism and optimism about an upcoming exam can be beneficial for students. The other statements are either incorrect or too generalized.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of having too much choice?

Accepted Answer

The lack of freedom is not a consequence of having too much choice, as having a lot of options can often be perceived as having more freedom. However, having too much choice can lead to decision fatigue (becoming tired), regret, and decreased satisfaction with the final choice made.

Quiz 2: The Self in a Social World