Ted likes Jim and smiles at him every chance he gets. Jim wonders why Ted is always smirking at him sarcastically and studiously avoids him. Ted thinks he's being friendly and cannot understand Jim's standoffishness; Jim thinks Ted is a jerk for continuing to smirk at him without explanation. This difference illustrates the role of __________ in explaining social behavior.
A) power
B) construals
C) the need for affiliation
D) persuasion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Construals refer to the interpretations people make about other people's behavior, and this scenario illustrates how Ted and Jim are interpreting each other's behavior differently. While Ted intends his smiling as a friendly gesture, Jim construes it as sarcastic and standoffish, leading to miscommunication and negative feelings between the two.

Ted Likes Jim and Smiles at Him Every Chance He