A famous study found that men approached by a female research assistant were more likely to call her after they had walked across a high, narrow bridge as opposed to after they had walked across a low, stable bridge. This finding can be most easily explained by ____.
A)the Yerkes-Dodson law
B)reactance
C)catharsis
D)excitation transfer

Question

A famous study  found that men approached by a female research assistant were more likely to call her after they had walked across a high, narrow bridge as opposed to after they had walked across a low, stable bridge. This finding can be most easily explained by ____.
A)the Yerkes-Dodson law
B)reactance
C)catharsis
D)excitation transfer

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study's findings can be most easily explained by excitation transfer, a psychological theory suggesting that arousal from one stimulus can be transferred and added to arousal from a second stimulus, intensifying the overall emotional experience. In this case, the arousal from crossing a high, narrow bridge could enhance the arousal associated with attraction, leading men to be more likely to call the female research assistant.

A Famous Study Found That Men Approached by a Female