Question 1

On the reality television show "Survivor," two tribes compete for luxuries such as food and shelter. During such challenges, one group's success becomes another group's failure. According to _____, such dynamics may breed prejudice.

Accepted Answer

The scenario described in the question is a perfect example of realistic group conflict theory, which posits that inter-group conflict arises when two groups are competing for the same limited resources. This competition can breed prejudice, as each group views the other as a threat to their own success.

Question 2

When the British made a group of German civilians walk through a concentration camp at the end of World War II, one German individual stated, "What terrible criminals these people must have been to receive such treatment." This comment is an example of

Accepted Answer

The comment reflects group-serving bias, where the individual attributes the harsh treatment to the supposed criminality of the victims, thereby protecting the image of their own group.

Question 3

Which statement illustrates discrimination?

Accepted Answer

This statement illustrates discrimination because it shows prejudice and bias against a specific group (in this case, women) based on their gender.

Question 4

Assuming that sick people are responsible for their illnesses is an example of the _____ phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The just-world phenomenon is the belief that people get what they deserve in life, including negative outcomes such as illness or poverty. This belief can lead individuals to assume that those who are sick must have done something to deserve it, rather than considering other possible explanations such as genetics or environmental factors.

Question 5

Linking good fortune with virtue and misfortune with moral failure enables fortunate people to feel pride and to avoid responsibility for the unfortunate. This is an example of the _____ phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The given scenario is an example of the just-world phenomenon, where people justify their positive or negative outcomes based on their belief that the world is just and that people get what they deserve. This way, fortunate people can take credit for their good fortune and feel morally superior, while the unfortunate can be blamed for their misfortune and seen as morally lacking. This belief system helps individuals maintain a sense of control and security in a world that can seem unpredictable and unfair.

Question 6

When others expect us to perform poorly and our anxiety causes us to confirm their belief, we have reacted to

Accepted Answer

This situation describes a stereotype threat, which occurs when a person is at risk of conforming to a negative stereotype about their social group, leading to decreased performance. In this case, the belief that others expect us to perform poorly creates anxiety that interferes with our ability to perform well, confirming the negative stereotype.

Question 7

The tendency for people to believe that individuals get what they deserve and deserve what they get is called the _____ phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The just-world phenomenon refers to the belief that people get what they deserve and deserve what they get. This belief can lead to blaming victims for their misfortunes and attributing success solely to individual effort, rather than acknowledging external factors such as luck or privilege. The other options are not related to this particular phenomenon.

Question 8

The just-world phenomenon can lead people to think that

Accepted Answer

The answer of The just-world phenomenon can lead people to...

Question 9

_____ refers to accommodating individuals who deviate from one's stereotype by thinking of them as "exceptions to the rule."

Accepted Answer

Subtyping refers to subcategorizing individuals who deviate from one's stereotype as exceptions to the rule. It allows people to maintain their existing stereotypes while acknowledging that some individuals may not fit into those stereotypes. Benevolent discrimination refers to the act of providing preferential treatment to a particular group based on stereotypes of that group being inferior or needing protection. Immune neglect refers to the tendency to underestimate the impact of negative events on one's emotional state over time. Scapegoating refers to blaming a particular group for problems or issues without evidence or justification.

Question 10

Jeremy's belief that earthquake victims are being punished by God for their own sins best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The belief that earthquake victims are being punished by God for their own sins is an example of the just-world phenomenon, which is the tendency to believe that people get what they deserve in life. This belief can lead individuals to blame victims for their own misfortunes and feel less empathy towards them.

Question 11

The just-world phenomenon may lead us to believe that an unemployed person is

Accepted Answer

The just-world phenomenon is a cognitive bias that makes people believe that the world is fair and that people get what they deserve. This can lead to victim blaming, especially in cases where the victim's situation may be perceived as under their control. In the case of unemployment, people may believe that those without a job are lazy and lack virtue, rather than acknowledging systemic issues such as discrimination or lack of opportunity. Therefore, the best choice is B, as it reflects the victim-blaming tendency of the just-world phenomenon in relation to unemployment.

Question 12

Stereotype threat explains why

Accepted Answer

Stereotype threat refers to the fear/anxiety of confirming a negative stereotype about one's group, which can lead to underperformance in certain situations.

Question 13

Persons high in _____ tend to view people in terms of status hierarchies-with themselves being at the top.

Accepted Answer

Social dominance orientation involves a belief in status hierarchies and a desire to maintain and enhance one's own group's dominance over other groups. This can lead individuals to view themselves as being at the top of the hierarchy and to hold prejudicial attitudes towards those they perceive as being lower status. The other options do not necessarily involve this belief in hierarchy.

Question 14

Mr. Wong, a high school teacher, tells his class that he thinks boys tend to be less anxious and thus give better speeches than girls. The girls in his class become apprehensive when preparing and giving speeches in his class. The girls are reacting to

Accepted Answer

The girls' apprehension suggests that they may be experiencing stereotype threat, a phenomenon in which individuals are aware of negative stereotypes about their social group and become apprehensive about conforming to them. In this case, Mr. Wong's belief that boys are better speakers could be contributing to the girls' anxiety about performing well in class.

Question 15

Kevin has just met Fred, a White American teenage boy. Kevin assumes that Fred would not be a good basketball player because "White men
Can't jump." This is an example of

Accepted Answer

Kevin's assumption about Fred's basketball abilities is based on a stereotype, which is an overgeneralization about a group of people. Stereotypes can lead to unfair assumptions and judgments about individuals based on their membership in a particular group.

Question 16

_____ are exceptions to the group; _____ are acknowledged as part of the overall diverse group.

Accepted Answer

Subtypes are exceptions to the group whereas subgroups are acknowledged as part of the overall diverse group.

Question 17

Mary tells you that she thinks the reason people live in poverty is because they are lazy. Mary's thinking is an example of the _____ phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

Mary's thinking is an example of the just-world phenomenon, which is the tendency to believe that the world is fair and people get what they deserve. This can lead to blaming individuals for their own misfortunes, such as poverty, rather than considering systemic issues and societal factors that contribute to inequality.

Question 18

_____ refers to accommodating individuals who deviate from one's stereotype by forming a new stereotype about this subset of the group.

Accepted Answer

The answer of _____ refers to accommodating individuals who deviate...

Question 19

Bill is often described as judgmental, ethnocentric, and punitive. He believes in strict obedience to authority and is intolerant of weakness in others. Which of the following statements would likely be true of Bill?

Accepted Answer

Bill's characteristics align with those of an authoritarian personality, which values conformity, obedience, and submission to authority. People with this personality type can be judgmental, ethnocentric, and punitive, and can be intolerant of weakness in others, as well as being unlikely to challenge authority figures.

Question 20

Madison's parents comment that the nice new family on the block, who are Black, represent "professional, middle-class Blacks." Madison's parents are engaging in

Accepted Answer

Madison's parents are engaging in subgrouping, which is the tendency for people to see members of an out-group as more similar to each other than members of an in-group. By categorizing this family as "professional, middle-class Blacks," they are placing them in a subgroup and highlighting their differences rather than seeing them as individuals.

Quiz 9: Thinking and Language