Question 1

Was the decision for the United States to invade Iraq made by a small group of policy makers with little tolerance for dissenting views? If this proves to be the case, then this decision was based on

Accepted Answer

Groupthink refers to a phenomenon where a small, cohesive group of individuals makes decisions without considering alternative perspectives or dissenting opinions. If the decision to invade Iraq was made by a small group of policymakers without considering opposing viewpoints, then it would be an example of groupthink.

Question 2

The real danger of "groupthink" is that it

Accepted Answer

Groupthink often leads to a suspension of critical thinking as individuals conform to the group's opinions and ideas. This can lead to poor decision-making and negative consequences.

Question 3

Solomon Asch's classic experiment (in which subjects judged a "standard" line and "comparison" lines) was actually conducted to study

Accepted Answer

Solomon Asch's classic experiment was conducted to study conformity, specifically how people conform to the opinions of others even if they know it is wrong.

Question 4

Studies of conformity indicate that people are more apt to be influenced by others if they

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that the desire for approval from others is a strong motivator for conformity. This can manifest in different ways, such as wanting to fit in with a group or not wanting to be seen as different or unpopular. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it directly relates to the question of what characteristics make people more likely to conform. Option B is not necessarily accurate as research has shown that people with high levels of uncertainty and discomfort may also conform more in certain situations. Option C is also not accurate as cultures that emphasize individuality may actually encourage non-conformity in some situations. Option D is too broad and not specific enough to accurately answer the question.

Question 5

Which of the following factors affect one's susceptibility to group pressure?

Accepted Answer

All of these factors can affect one's susceptibility to group pressure. The level of anxiety can make people more susceptible to group pressure as they may feel the need to conform to avoid social rejection. The need for certainty can also make people more susceptible to group pressure as they may rely on the opinions of others to make decisions. Cultural norms can also have a strong influence on group pressure as people may feel pressure to conform to the values and beliefs of their culture.

Question 6

A person who _____ is LESS LIKELY to conform.

Accepted Answer

People who have low needs for structure or certainty tend to be more independent and less likely to conform to group norms or expectations. They tend to be more comfortable with ambiguity and are less concerned with following rules or maintaining social harmony.

Question 7

The core of _____ is misguided loyalty, in which group members are hesitant to "rock the boat" or question sloppy thinking.

Accepted Answer

The core of groupthink is misguided loyalty, in which group members prioritize maintaining harmony within the group over making sound decisions. This can lead to a pressure to conform and avoid conflict, resulting in a lack of critical thinking and poor decision-making. The other options (halo effect, cognitive dissonance, and compliance) do not specifically refer to this phenomenon.

Question 8

Solomon Asch's classic experiment (in which subjects judged a "standard" line and "comparison" lines) showed that

Accepted Answer

Asch's experiment showed that subjects yielded to group pressure in about one-third of the critical test trials (A), subjects yielded to group pressure at least once (B), and when tested alone, subjects erred in less than one percent of their judgments (C). Therefore, all of these occurred (D).

Question 9

Larrian has just started her new job as a college professor.She has bought a new professional wardrobe of tailored suits to wear.When she starts her job, she notices that almost all professors are dressed more casually and are wearing "comfortable" shoes.The first few days she is teaching, she gets compliments on her wardrobe; but after a few weeks, she gets asked "if her feet hurt" or "doesn't she get hot in the jacket." Larrian soon finds that she is taking the jacket off and has now started wearing lower heeled shoes.Larrian most likely made this change due to

Accepted Answer

Larrian most likely made this change due to conformity, as she observed that the other professors were dressed more casually and wearing comfortable shoes, and likely felt pressure to conform to the social norms and expectations of her new workplace.

Question 10

Solomon Asch's classic experiment (in which subjects judged a "standard" line and "comparison" lines) showed that

Accepted Answer

Asch's experiment showed that 75 percent of the subjects yielded to group pressure at least once.

Question 11

Who is best known for his research on conformity?

Accepted Answer

Solomon Asch is best known for his classic study on conformity, in which he demonstrated how people are influenced by the opinions of others in a group setting, even if those opinions are clearly incorrect or contradictory to one's own beliefs.

Question 12

_____ has been blamed as a contributing factor in the Columbia space shuttle disaster, the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter, and at least 19 international crises.

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a phenomenon where a group of people desire harmony or conformity within the group, which results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making. This can lead to the suppression of dissenting opinions or ideas, and ultimately, can result in disastrous consequences. The Columbia space shuttle disaster and the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter were both attributed partially to groupthink because there was no one to challenge the prevailing opinions or to provide a different perspective. Similarly, many international crises have been sparked or intensified due to groupthink among decision-makers or leaders.

Question 13

Which of the following was NOT part of the Asch experiment that involved the judgment of standard and comparison lines?

Accepted Answer

The use of two groups of subjects, one that judged the lines correctly in all cases and the other that judged the lines incorrectly in all cases, was not part of the Asch experiment. The experiment only involved a single group of subjects who were asked to judge standard and comparison lines while being influenced by the judgments of others. The use of accomplices who purposely judged the lines incorrectly, the use of trials with and without other people present, and the use of three lines for each trial were all part of the experiment.

Question 14

A compulsion by decision makers to maintain each other's approval, even at the cost of critical thinking and good judgment, is called

Accepted Answer

Groupthink refers to the phenomenon where group members prioritize consensus over critical thinking and sound decision-making in order to maintain harmony and avoid conflict within the group. This can lead to poor decisions and overlooked alternatives. The other answer choices are not as relevant to this concept.

Question 15

When a small group of people will not tolerate alternative views and comes to maintain their own viewpoint due to misguided loyalty at the cost of critical thinking, this situation is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Groupthink occurs when a small group of people prioritize the desire for harmony and agreement over critical evaluation of ideas. This can lead to the suppression of dissenting opinions and a false sense of unanimity, which can ultimately result in poor decision-making. Loyalty to the group can contribute to groupthink. Bystander apathy refers to the phenomenon of individuals failing to intervene in an emergency situation due to diffusion of responsibility. Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs or values. Social facilitation refers to the tendency for people to perform better on simple tasks in the presence of others.

Question 16

_____ analyzed a series of disastrous decisions made by government officials and came to the conclusion that many such fiascoes are the result of groupthink.

Accepted Answer

The concept of groupthink was developed by Irving Janis, who analyzed several cases of failures by government officials and identified groupthink as a contributing factor. Stanley Milgram, Solomon Asch, and Philip Zimbardo also conducted influential research on group behavior, but did not specifically focus on government decision-making.

Question 17

Studies of conformity indicate that people are more apt to be influenced by others if they

Accepted Answer

Studies of conformity suggest that people are more likely to be influenced by others if they lack self-confidence, have high needs for certainty and structure, or belong to a culture that emphasizes group cooperation. However, individuals don't have to exhibit all of these characteristics to be susceptible to conformity pressures.

Question 18

Groupthink is a type of _____ that applies to decision making in groups.

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a type of conformity where individuals in a group tend to conform to the group's decisions even if it goes against their own beliefs or judgement. This can lead to faulty decision making as critical evaluation of alternative options is inhibited.

Question 19

To a large extent, the "groupthink" phenomenon described by Irving Janis can be considered a powerful example of

Accepted Answer

Groupthink refers to a psychological phenomenon where members of a group tend to conform to the group's consensus, rather than voicing their individual opinions or concerns. This conformity can be due to various pressures within the group, such as the desire for social acceptance, fear of being ostracized, or the belief that the group is inherently correct. Therefore, groupthink is primarily caused by conformity pressures.

Question 20

The core of groupthink involves

Accepted Answer

Groupthink occurs when there is a strong pressure for group conformity and a desire for consensus, leading to a lack of critical thinking and an unwillingness to challenge assumptions or consider outside perspectives. Misguided loyalty is a key element of groupthink, as group members may prioritize preserving group cohesion over questioning sloppy thinking or flawed decision-making.

Quiz 16: Extension B: Social Thinking and Social Influence

Was the decision for the United States to invade Iraq made by a small group of policy makers with little tolerance for dissenting views? If this proves to be the case, then this decision was based on

The real danger of "groupthink" is that it

Solomon Asch's classic experiment (in which subjects judged a "standard" line and "comparison" lines) was actually conducted to study

Studies of conformity indicate that people are more apt to be influenced by others if they

Which of the following factors affect one's susceptibility to group pressure?

A person who _____ is LESS LIKELY to conform.

The core of _____ is misguided loyalty, in which group members are hesitant to "rock the boat" or question sloppy thinking.

Solomon Asch's classic experiment (in which subjects judged a "standard" line and "comparison" lines) showed that

Solomon Asch's classic experiment (in which subjects judged a "standard" line and "comparison" lines) showed that

Who is best known for his research on conformity?

_____ has been blamed as a contributing factor in the Columbia space shuttle disaster, the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter, and at least 19 international crises.

Which of the following was NOT part of the Asch experiment that involved the judgment of standard and comparison lines?

A compulsion by decision makers to maintain each other's approval, even at the cost of critical thinking and good judgment, is called

When a small group of people will not tolerate alternative views and comes to maintain their own viewpoint due to misguided loyalty at the cost of critical thinking, this situation is referred to as

_____ analyzed a series of disastrous decisions made by government officials and came to the conclusion that many such fiascoes are the result of groupthink.

Studies of conformity indicate that people are more apt to be influenced by others if they

Groupthink is a type of _____ that applies to decision making in groups.

To a large extent, the "groupthink" phenomenon described by Irving Janis can be considered a powerful example of

The core of groupthink involves