Question 1

A water pipe has burst in your ceiling and water is pouring down on all your furniture.You call your plumber to fix the problem.In this situation,the plumber has __________ power.

Accepted Answer

The plumber has expert power in this situation because they have the knowledge and expertise to fix the problem. Legitimate power would apply if the plumber was acting on behalf of a company or authority that gave them the power to fix plumbing issues. Referent power would apply if you trusted the plumber and valued their opinion, while coercive power would be applicable if the plumber was threatening consequences if you didn't follow their instructions. However, in this situation, expert power is the most relevant as the plumber's skills and knowledge are needed to solve the problem.

Question 2

Much of our behavior is regulated by statutory law and the fines and imprisonment it provides for wrong-doing.Thus,much of our behavior is controlled by __________ power.

Accepted Answer

Coercive power involves the use of threats and punishment, such as fines and imprisonment, to control behavior. Statutory law provides for such punishment, therefore much of our behavior is controlled by coercive power. The other choices - referent, expert, and reward - do not accurately describe the type of power that regulates behavior through the use of law and punishment.

Question 3

Much of the conformity observed in groups is the result of __________ power.

Accepted Answer

Referent power refers to the influence that individuals have over others because of their personality, values, and behaviors that others wish to emulate. In group settings, individuals may conform to the behaviors and beliefs of those with referent power in order to gain social approval or acceptance from the group. Coercive power involves the use of threats or punishment to influence behavior, legitimate power refers to power granted by a formal position or authority, and expert power is based on knowledge or expertise in a particular area. While these forms of power can also lead to conformity, referent power is specifically related to the influence of personality and social dynamics within a group.

Question 4

Which type of power is based upon the recognition that another person has the knowledge necessary for achieving a goal?

Accepted Answer

Expert power is based on the recognition that another person has the knowledge necessary for achieving a goal. This can come from education, experience, or any other expertise in a particular area. It is a form of personal power that is built through deep subject matter understanding, and skillful communication of that understanding to others. It is often considered the most effective form of power due to the trust and respect it commands.

Question 5

Which type of power is based on respect for or identification with a person or a group?

Accepted Answer

Referent power is based on respect for or identification with a person or group, often due to their charisma, personality, or other admirable qualities. This type of power is not tied to any particular position or authority and is often seen in leaders who have a strong bond with their followers. Coercive power is based on the ability to punish or inflict negative consequences, expert power is based on knowledge or expertise in a particular area, and legitimate power is based on the authority granted by a formal position or role in an organization.

Question 6

Although Jena usually does not like to "dress up" and wear high heels,her group of friends have decided to "dress up" during homecoming week at school.So,Jena's decision to "dress up" is based on which type of power?

Accepted Answer

Jena's decision to "dress up" is influenced by referent power, which is based on the desire to be part of a group and be accepted by friends.

Question 7

Which form of social power comes from acceptance of a person as an agent of an established social order?

Accepted Answer

Legitimate social power comes from being recognized as an agent of an established social order, such as a government, institution, or organization. This power is widely recognized as rightful and deserved, and derives from the position or role that a person holds rather than personal characteristics or qualities.

Question 8

In 1898,the first published social psychology experiment was on the topic of

Accepted Answer

The first published social psychology experiment was conducted by Norman Triplett in 1898 on the topic of social facilitation. Triplett observed that the presence of others could enhance or inhibit performance on a task, which was cycling speed in his study.

Question 9

The ability to provide incentives for a person to comply with desired behavior is known as

Accepted Answer

Reward power refers to the ability to provide incentives or rewards for a person to comply with desired behavior. Social exchange refers to the idea of individuals exchanging resources or benefits with each other. Compliance refers to the act of following a request or command. Referent power refers to the influence a person has over others due to their personal qualities or characteristics.

Question 10

If you were sitting alone in your dorm room,picking your nose,and a stranger entered the room,you would probably stop picking your nose due to which form of social influence?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the mere presence effect, which occurs when the presence of others leads to changes in behavior even if they are not actively influencing or directing behavior. In this scenario, the presence of the stranger may make the individual feel self-conscious or aware of social norms, leading them to stop picking their nose. Compliance and conformity both involve more active attempts to match behavior to social norms, while indirect obedience is not relevant in this scenario.

Question 11

The tendency for people to change their behavior just because other people are nearby is known as

Accepted Answer

The mere presence effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior simply because other people are present, even if those people are not interacting with or exerting any direct pressure on the individual.

Question 12

You are sick,and you go to your family physician to be diagnosed and given medicine to get well.Thus,your family physician is considered to have __________ power.

Accepted Answer

The family physician has expert power because they have expertise and knowledge in the field of medicine, which gives them the authority to diagnose and treat illnesses.

Question 13

Since it is based on the person's position as an agent of that particular social order,our elected leaders as well as the teacher in your classroom have __________ power.

Accepted Answer

Legitimate power is derived from a person's position or status within a social structure. Elected leaders and teachers possess legitimate power because they have been elected or hired to their respective roles, and their authority comes from their position as agents of the social order they serve. Coercive power is based on the use of force or punishment, while referent power is based on personal charisma or admiration. Electoral power refers specifically to the power to influence the outcome of elections, which may be relevant in some contexts but is not directly applicable to the given scenario.

Question 14

When a psychologist delivers testimony in a court case,he or she is exhibiting __________ power.

Accepted Answer

When a psychologist delivers testimony in a court case, they are exhibiting expert power. This is because they are using their specialized knowledge and expertise to inform and educate the court about relevant psychological concepts and principles. While they may also have legitimate power as a result of their professional status and authority, this is not the primary type of power being utilized in this specific context. Referent power is based on the admiration and respect that others have for an individual, while professional power is rooted in the knowledge and skills associated with a professional role.

Question 15

Regarding social power,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The statement that a person who has power in one situation has power in all other situations is false. Power is context-specific and can vary depending on the situation and the people involved. A person may have power as a boss in the workplace, but not have power in their personal relationships or social groups.

Question 16

In situations where a person has power,he or she is described as a(n)

Accepted Answer

An authority is someone who has power or control over a situation or people due to their knowledge, position or strength. An expert is someone with specialized knowledge or skills in a particular field, but may not necessarily have power over others. A referent is someone who has influence due to their personal traits or qualities, such as charisma or likability. A facilitator is someone who helps a group to work together effectively, but may not have power over the group members. Therefore, the best choice is B) authority.

Question 17

Private Keshun has a great deal of respect for his sergeant,whom he hopes to be like someday.For Private Keshun,the sergeant has __________ power.

Accepted Answer

Private Keshun respects his sergeant and hopes to emulate him, indicating that the sergeant has a referent power over him. Referent power comes from a person's charisma, personality, or reputation, and it inspires admiration and respect in others.

Question 18

The use of grades in the classroom or wages and bonuses on the job are applications of __________ power.

Accepted Answer

The use of grades in the classroom and wages and bonuses on the job are examples of reward power. Reward power is the ability to provide positive consequences, such as rewards, to influence the behavior of others.

Question 19

A very knowledgeable teacher has been assigned to teach your class by the administrators of the college.Not only will she impart her knowledge of psychology to you,but she also has the right to assign you grades based on your ability to apply the knowledge she has taught.Thus,your teacher has which type(s)of power?

Accepted Answer

The teacher has legitimate power as she has been assigned by the college administrators, expert power as she possesses knowledge of psychology, and reward power as she has the right to assign grades based on the application of her teachings. Therefore, all of these types of power apply to the teacher in this situation.

Question 20

As a basis for social power,the ability to punish a person for failure to comply is called __________ power.

Accepted Answer

Coercive power is the ability to punish or threaten to punish a person for noncompliance. It relies on fear and the use of force or other punitive measures to gain compliance. This type of power can be harmful and damaging to relationships, but it can also be effective in certain situations where other forms of persuasion have failed. Authority, referent, and expert power are all different types of power, but they do not involve the use of punishment or coercion.

Quiz 16: B: Social Thinking and Social Influence