Question 1

Of the following, which has been shown to be the best model of impression formation?
A) The algebraic model
B) The configural model
C) Neither the algebraic nor configural model
D) Both the algebraic and configural models

Accepted Answer

Both the algebraic and configural models have been shown to be valuable in understanding impression formation, as they offer complementary insights into how people integrate information about others. The algebraic model focuses on the additive and subtractive nature of trait information, while the configural model emphasizes the holistic, interconnected nature of traits and how they form an overall impression.

Question 2

What theory claims that behavior has certain rewarding and punishing effects, causing an organism to repeat or avoid the behavior?
A) Asch's configural model
B) Thorndike's theory of instrumental learning
C) Lewin's person-situation field theory
D) Asch's algebraic model

Accepted Answer

Thorndike's theory of instrumental learning, also known as the law of effect, states that behavior that has certain rewarding or punishing effects is more likely to be repeated or avoided in the future.

Question 3

Which if the following is the best example of a consistency theory?
A) Stereotyping
B) Altruism
C) Stimulus-response
D) Cognitive dissonance

Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance is a consistency theory that suggests that people have a desire to maintain consistency between their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. When there is a discrepancy between these elements, people experience discomfort, or dissonance, which they seek to resolve by changing their beliefs or behaviors. Stereotyping, altruism, and stimulus-response are not directly related to consistency theory.

Question 4

Which of the following best characterizes cognition within the naïve scientist model?
A) Motivation to resolve uncomfortable inconsistencies among cognitions and feelings
B) A rational search for relevant information, leading to logical conclusions
C) Using perceptions of others to imagine how they might react to a situation
D) Studying natural neural processes to better understand processes like category learning

Accepted Answer

The naïve scientist model emphasizes logical, rational thinking and the search for relevant information to reach conclusions. This is reflected in choice B.

Answer: A, C, and D are not characteristics of cognition within the naïve scientist model. Choice A describes cognitive dissonance theory, which is a separate model of cognition. Choice C describes theory of mind, which is a model of social cognition. Choice D describes the study of neuroscience, which is a field of research that can inform cognitive models but is not itself a model of cognition.

Question 5

What was one of the primary reasons the study of introspection fell out of favor with researchers?
A) It is impossible to publically reproduce introspections, so the evidence could not be confirmed by other researchers
B) The advent of computers led to more sophisticated techniques for studying mental processes
C) Linguistic developments showed how the complexity of language required a more complex model to explain its development
D) Nonverbal behaviors were shown to be a better measurement of attitudes and emotions

Accepted Answer

Introspection involves the observation of one's own mental processes, which cannot be directly observed by others. This lack of objective verification led to a decline in the use of introspection as a research method.

Question 6

Which of the following researchers emphasized human behavior as a result of the dynamic equilibrium among multiple, often-conflicting psychological forces?
A) Wilhelm Wundt
B) Kurt Lewin
C) Hermann Ebbinghaus
D) Edmund Gestalt

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin is known for his field theory, which emphasizes the importance of multiple and often conflicting psychological forces in shaping human behavior. He also introduced the concept of "life space" which states that an individual's behavior is a result of the interaction between the person's psychological environment and their own internal psychological dynamics.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes a way in which Gestalt psychology influences the research of Kurt Lewin?
A) Emphasizing holistic models of behavior and how an individual's perceptions of the social environment can be influential
B) Showing how objective, external interpretations of situations can explain social behavior in that environment
C) Emphasizing how a focus on individual aspects of a situation can in and of itself predict behavior
D) Showing how motivation plays an important role in determining what a person will do in any given situation

Accepted Answer

Gestalt psychology emphasizes the importance of holistic perceptions and how they can influence behavior. This idea influenced Lewin's approach to researching social behavior, which focused on how an individual's perceptions of the social environment can be influential.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes "naïve psychology"?
A) Estimates of behavioral processes based on a lack of understanding of cognitive processing
B) The ways in which young and/or sheltered people perceive and react to their environments
C) People's common sense, non-scientific theories about themselves and other people
D) How people feel about others in their social circles

Accepted Answer

Naïve psychology pertains to people's common sense, non-scientific theories about themselves and other people. It involves people's simple explanations of why people think, feel, and act the way they do.

Question 9

The configural model is an example of what approach to the study of social cognition?
A) Elemental
B) Social
C) Behavioral
D) Holistic

Accepted Answer

The configural model is an example of the holistic approach to the study of social cognition. This approach emphasizes the importance of analyzing complex patterns or configurations of information rather than focusing solely on individual elements or features. The configural model suggests that we perceive social stimuli as integrated wholes rather than as combinations of independent parts, and that our perceptions are influenced by the overall organization and structure of the stimuli.

Question 10

"People sometimes prioritize efficiency over accuracy in mental processing because they are limited in their capacity to process information." This statement best characterizes which of the following models of cognition?
A) Information processing model
B) Activated actor model
C) Cognitive miser model
D) Naïve scientist model

Accepted Answer

The statement that people prioritize efficiency over accuracy due to limited capacity is a characteristic of the cognitive miser model. This model suggests that people conserve mental resources by relying on heuristics and shortcuts rather than engaging in thorough and accurate cognitive processing.

Question 11

The medial prefrontal cortex is most closely associated with which of the following?
A) Memory storage and recall
B) Extreme emotions
C) Social processes
D) Category recognition

Accepted Answer

The medial prefrontal cortex is involved in social processes, such as decision-making, empathy, and theory of mind. It is also involved in self-referential processing and self-awareness.

Question 12

What two Gestalt ideas that Kurt Lewin import into social and ultimately cognitive psychology?
A) Phenomenology and holistic view
B) Phenomenology and elemental view
C) Phenomenology and introspection
D) Behaviorism and holistic view

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin imported the Gestalt ideas of phenomenology, which emphasizes the importance of subjective experiences, and a holistic view, which suggests that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, into social and cognitive psychology. These ideas helped to shape the development of these fields and influenced research on perception, problem-solving, and group dynamics.

Question 13

According to the elemental view of social cognition, what allows ideas to develop from association through simple contiguity to mental compounds?
A) Reward
B) Repetition
C) Motivation
D) Information Processing

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the elemental view of social...

Question 14

When a person is described as both "mean" and "funny," which of the following would best fit with the configural model of person perception?
A) The combination of a positive trait and a negative trait lead to an overall neutral impression
B) The perceiver re-interprets "funny" as a caustic or sarcastic humor, making the traits fit well together into a single impression
C) The negative-warmth characteristic of "mean" carries more weight, overshadowing any other descriptions
D) The high-warmth characteristic of "funny" carries more weight, overshadowing any other descriptions

Accepted Answer

According to the configural model, traits are combined into an overall impression based on how well they fit together. In this case, the perceiver may re-interpret "funny" as a caustic or sarcastic humor, which would fit well with the negative trait of "mean," leading to a cohesive and memorable overall impression.

Question 15

An elevated cortisol response would most likely result from which of the following?
A) Giving a speech in public
B) Seeing a picture of a childhood friend
C) Categorizing objects based on their external properties
D) Remembering a sequence of numbers

Accepted Answer

Giving a speech in public is a common stressor and is likely to result in an elevated cortisol response. Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress, and is involved in the body's fight or flight response. Seeing a picture of a childhood friend, categorizing objects based on their external properties, and remembering a sequence of numbers are unlikely to result in a significant cortisol response.

Question 16

The "motivated tactician" model is best described by which of the following?
A) People are fully engaged in their thought processes, and choose between a number of different cognitive strategies depending on which best suits their current goals, motives, and needs
B) People are motivated to look for quick solutions that adequately fit the problem at hand, rather than focusing on completely accurate solutions that would take a long time
C) People are unconsciously or consciously affected by environmental cues which motivate them to behave in particular ways
D) People are motivated to rationally assess available information and arrive at the most reasonable solution to any problem

Accepted Answer

The "motivated tactician" model suggests that people are fully engaged in their thought processes and choose cognitive strategies based on their current goals, motives, and needs. They are motivated to solve problems efficiently, but not at the cost of accuracy. Therefore, option A best describes this model. Option B is partially correct but does not fully capture the essence of the "motivated tactician" model. Options C and D are not accurate descriptions of this model.

Question 17

In the early 20th century, the first laboratory psychologists began conducting research. Which of the following best describes their methods?
A) Careful randomized trials to observe human behavior in varying environments
B) Observing animal behavior to draw parallels to human mental processes
C) Using introspection to examine the researchers' own thought processes
D) Making careful observations of social interactions between laboratory participants

Accepted Answer

In the early 20th century, laboratory psychologists primarily used introspection as their method of examining human thought processes. They would have participants observe their own mental processes and report on them to the researchers.

Question 18

Which of the following would Kurt Lewin believe is least predictive of a person's behavior?
A) Characteristics unique to person, such as beliefs, perceptual abilities, and past experiences
B) The person's cognitions about the environment
C) The behaviors of past people faced with the same environment and situation
D) The person's personal motivations in that situation

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin's field theory suggests that behavior is influenced by a person's current environment and situation, as well as their personal motivations and unique characteristics. Therefore, behaviors of past people faced with the same environment and situation may be informative but not necessarily predictive of a person's behavior.

Question 19

What is meant by "mental chemistry," according to the British elemental tradition?
A) Mental concepts are "elements," which can be "bonded" to other concepts through typically repeated) associations
B) Different concepts have different properties, and can create entirely new concepts when added together
C) Cognition can result in combinations of thoughts which trigger other cognitions, like a chemical chain reaction
D) Associating one concept with another typically happens instantly and powerfully, like a chemical bond

Accepted Answer

According to the British elemental tradition, mental concepts can be seen as "elements" that can be "bonded" to other concepts through repeated associations, similar to chemical elements bonding to form molecules. This is the concept of mental chemistry.

Question 20

Dissonance theory is an example of what kind of view of the thinker in social psychology?
A) Consistency seeker
B) Motivated Tactician
C) Activated Actor
D) Cognitive Miser

Accepted Answer

Dissonance theory suggests that individuals strive for consistency and seek to minimize the discomfort of having conflicting thoughts or beliefs. This is aligned with the view of the thinker as a consistency seeker in social psychology.

Quiz 1: Section 1 : Introduction

Of the following, which has been shown to be the best model of impression formation?

What theory claims that behavior has certain rewarding and punishing effects, causing an organism to repeat or avoid the behavior?

Which if the following is the best example of a consistency theory?

Which of the following best characterizes cognition within the naïve scientist model?

What was one of the primary reasons the study of introspection fell out of favor with researchers?

Which of the following researchers emphasized human behavior as a result of the dynamic equilibrium among multiple, often-conflicting psychological forces?

Which of the following best describes a way in which Gestalt psychology influences the research of Kurt Lewin?

Which of the following best describes "naïve psychology"?

The configural model is an example of what approach to the study of social cognition?

"People sometimes prioritize efficiency over accuracy in mental processing because they are limited in their capacity to process information." This statement best characterizes which of the following models of cognition?

The medial prefrontal cortex is most closely associated with which of the following?

What two Gestalt ideas that Kurt Lewin import into social and ultimately cognitive psychology?

According to the elemental view of social cognition, what allows ideas to develop from association through simple contiguity to mental compounds?

When a person is described as both "mean" and "funny," which of the following would best fit with the configural model of person perception?

An elevated cortisol response would most likely result from which of the following?

The "motivated tactician" model is best described by which of the following?

In the early 20th century, the first laboratory psychologists began conducting research. Which of the following best describes their methods?

Which of the following would Kurt Lewin believe is least predictive of a person's behavior?

What is meant by "mental chemistry," according to the British elemental tradition?

Dissonance theory is an example of what kind of view of the thinker in social psychology?