Question 1

It's Libby's first day at college. When she approaches the professor to have an "add" form signed, she listens to other students to see if they address the professor as "Professor," "Dr.," "Mrs.," or by her first name, and then she does the same. This is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Libby is using informational social influence because she is looking to the behavior of others to determine the correct way to address her professor, indicating she is seeking information on the appropriate social behavior in a new environment.

Question 2

The authors of your text suggest that there are two major motivations for people to conform: __________.

Accepted Answer

The two major motivations for people to conform, as suggested, are not knowing what to do in a confusing situation and wishing to avoid ridicule and rejection. These motivations drive individuals to align their behaviors with those around them to gain a sense of security and social acceptance.

Question 3

According to your text, which of the following is NOT a contributor to the acceptance of the rugged-individualist ideal as part of America's cultural self-image?

Accepted Answer

The mass suicide of Heaven's Gate cult members is not a contributor to the acceptance of the rugged-individualist ideal as part of America's cultural self-image. The other options relate to the concept of individualism and independence, which are essential components of the rugged-individualist ideal. The Marlboro Man represents a tough, self-reliant cowboy figure, while Apple's slogan encourages thinking creatively and independently. The taming of the Wild West also embodies the idea of self-sufficiency and frontier spirit.

Question 4

According to the authors of your text, what is the most plausible explanation for why U.S. soldiers followed their lieutenant's orders to massacre the citizens of the peaceful village of My Lai during the Vietnam War?

Accepted Answer

According to the authors of the text, the most plausible explanation for why U.S. soldiers followed their lieutenant's orders to massacre the citizens of the peaceful village of My Lai during the Vietnam War is that they were conforming in a confusing situation.

Question 5

You are a little confused about how to address your new boss. Even though you are told that your new supervisor's name is Charlie Rose, you have noticed that everyone at work calls him "Boss." You, too, decide to start calling your supervisor "Boss." This decision is a product of __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are a little confused about how...

Question 6

The United States has celebrated independence and rugged individualism from the time of its inception. This suggests that American attitudes toward conformity are __________.

Accepted Answer

The celebration of independence and rugged individualism in the United States suggests a general negative attitude toward conformity, as conformity implies a willingness to align with group norms and behaviors, which contrasts with the values of independence and individualism.

Question 7

An important feature of informational social influence is that it often leads to __________.

Accepted Answer

Informational social influence often leads to private acceptance, where individuals come to believe that the suggested or presented ideas or behaviors are correct, leading to a change in their own beliefs and behaviors. The other options (A, C, and D) do not necessarily reflect the outcome of informational social influence.

Question 8

Informational social influence occurs because __________.

Accepted Answer

Informational social influence occurs when people look to others for guidance or cues in ambiguous situations where they are uncertain about the correct way to behave. In these situations, they may assume that others have more knowledge or expertise and follow their lead.

Question 9

Your niece Caitlin is deathly afraid of glass elevators. You have just read Chapter 8, and have decided to use informational social influence to convince Caitlin that there is no need to be afraid to ride in glass elevators. How would you apply the concept of informational social influence in this situation?

Accepted Answer

This option involves using social proof, which is a type of informational social influence. By showing Caitlin that her friends are able to ride in glass elevators without fear, her perception of the situation may change. This can be especially effective if her friends are people she trusts or looks up to. The other options do not involve providing Caitlin with any new information or changing her perception of the situation, and in some cases may even increase her fear.

Question 10

The atrocities at Abu Ghraib prison are an example of people being influenced to do things even though they know it is wrong. What is responsible for this powerful influence?

Accepted Answer

The need to belong can be a powerful influence on behavior, especially when the situation is ambiguous or unclear. In the case of Abu Ghraib, the soldiers may have looked to their peers for guidance on how to behave and conformed to the group's norms despite knowing it was wrong. Fear of authority may have played a role as well, but the need to belong is likely the primary factor. A desire for control may also be a motivator, but it is not as crucial in this situation. Seeing the situation as a crisis may lead to stress and anxiety, but it is not necessarily a key factor in this case.

Question 11

Reynald is participating in a research study where he is watching a dot of light in a dark room. In time it appears to move. Later, he finds out that it was really stationary. This phenomenon is __________.

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described is known as the autokinetic effect, which is a perceptual illusion where a stationary object appears to move in a dark or featureless environment. It is often used in research on social influence and conformity. The other answer choices are incorrect and unsupported.

Question 12

According to your text, our construals of the concept of "conformity" are shaped by __________.

Accepted Answer

The text states that our construals of conformity are shaped by our cultural self-image.

Question 13

When "Freedom Riders" conformed with their group of fellow civil rights activists, they conformed by behaving __________, but when U.S. soldiers in the Vietnamese village of My Lai conformed, they behaved __________, illustrating that conformity itself it not always simply good or bad.

Accepted Answer

The Freedom Riders conformed by behaving peacefully with their group, while the soldiers in My Lai conformed by behaving violently as a group. This illustrates that conformity itself can have positive or negative outcomes depending on the situation and the behavior it elicits. Thus, choice C is the best option as it accurately captures this contrast between peaceful and violent conforming behavior.

Question 14

There have been great examples of social influence and terrible examples of social influence. For instance, what do the Heaven's Gate followers and the "Freedom Riders" in the American civil rights movement have in common?

Accepted Answer

Both the Heaven's Gate followers and the Freedom Riders were in extreme and confusing situations that required them to look to others for guidance and decision-making. The Heaven's Gate followers were part of a cult that believed in an imminent alien invasion of Earth, and the leader convinced them to commit mass suicide to reach the alien spacecraft. The Freedom Riders were a group of activists who challenged segregation laws in the Southern United States, facing violence and oppression on a daily basis. In both cases, social influence played a significant role in their actions.

Question 15

Khadija has conformed to others' behaviors or attitudes because she believes that their interpretations of an ambiguous situation are more accurate than hers. __________ has occurred.

Accepted Answer

Khadija is conforming to others' behaviors or attitudes because she believes that their interpretations of an ambiguous situation are more accurate than hers. This type of conformity is known as informational social influence, where individuals conform to others because they believe others have more knowledge or expertise on a particular subject.

Question 16

Mariahna has been called to court to testify about a car accident she witnessed. She has never testified before, so she plans to attend a few hearings before the court date to see what really happens in a courtroom. She hopes to see how to address the judge and how people dress when called to testify. Mariahna is using __________ to guide her behavior.

Accepted Answer

Mariahna is using informational social influence to guide her behavior by observing others in similar situations to learn how to act in court. She is seeking information on courtroom etiquette and behavior to help her prepare for her testimony.

Question 17

Victor goes to a fancy French restaurant. There are utensils on the table that he's never even seen before, and more spoons and forks than he's ever seen on one table. Eager to dine in an appropriate and sophisticated way, Victor secretly watches other diners to see what they do. This is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Victor is observing and learning from the behavior of others in order to conform to social norms and behave appropriately in the situation. This is an example of informational social influence where an individual looks to others for guidance on how to act in an ambiguous or unfamiliar situation.

Question 18

The ice bucket challenge is used in the beginning of the chapter to introduce the idea of __________.

Accepted Answer

The ice bucket challenge is a prime example of conformity, where individuals are pressured to conform to the behavior of others in their social group, even if they might not normally choose to participate. The challenge became popular because of social influence, as people saw their friends and peers participating and felt pressure to do the same in order to fit in or be perceived as part of the group.

Question 19

Alejandro has changed his behavior because of the real or imagined presence of others. This is known as __________.

Accepted Answer

Conformity refers to changing one's behavior or attitudes in response to the real or perceived influence of others. This fits the situation described in the question, where Alejandro has changed his behavior in response to the presence of others. Obedience, on the other hand, refers to following the directives or commands of an authority figure, and interdependence and cooperation refer to collaborative relationships between individuals or groups.

Question 20

Changing one's behavior due to the real or imagined influence of others is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Conformity refers to changing one's behavior due to the real or imagined influence of others. Social change refers to larger changes in society, while private acceptance and personal influence are not accurate descriptions for this concept.

Quiz 8: Conformity and Obedience: Influencing Behavior