Question 1

Two neighboring nations are each stockpiling weapons. Each sees its neighbor's actions as an act of aggression and its own actions as self-defense. Evidently, these nations are victims of

Accepted Answer

The fundamental attribution error occurs when people attribute others' actions to their character rather than to situational factors. In this case, each nation views the other's actions as aggressive (character-based) rather than as a response to their own actions (situational).

Question 2

Max fails to recycle his glass, metal, and plastic garbage because he thinks it's personally inconvenient and likely to have minimal impact on the city's already overflowing landfills. His reaction best illustrates the dynamics of

Accepted Answer

Max's failure to recycle is an example of a social trap, which occurs when individuals prioritize their personal interests over the collective good, resulting in negative outcomes for everyone involved. Max's belief that his individual actions have little impact on the city's landfills is also a common justification for not engaging in environmentally-friendly behaviors, contributing to the larger problem of sustainability.

Question 3

Most researchers agree that

Accepted Answer

The statement "most researchers agree that media violence is a factor in aggression" suggests that there is evidence to support a positive correlation between exposure to violent media and aggressive behavior. This is supported by a large body of research in psychology. The other options are either unsupported by evidence (option B) or are not applicable to the question (options C and D).

Question 4

Which of the following most accurately states the effects of crowding on behavior?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that crowding can sometimes intensify people's reactions, leading to feelings of stress, aggression, anxiety, and discomfort. However, it is important to note that the effects of crowding can vary depending on factors such as individual differences in personality and the situation/context in which the crowding occurs.

Question 5

When male students in an experiment were told that a woman to whom they would be speaking had been instructed to act in a friendly or unfriendly way, most of them subsequently attributed her behavior to

Accepted Answer

The answer of When male students in an experiment were...

Question 6

Research studies have shown that frequent exposure to sexually explicit films

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that frequent exposure to sexually explicit films can lead to desensitization, which may diminish the perception of the seriousness of crimes like rape.

Question 7

Most people prefer mirror-image photographs of their faces. This is best explained by

Accepted Answer

The mere exposure effect refers to the phenomenon that people tend to develop a preference for things simply because they are familiar with them. In the case of mirror-image photographs, people are more used to seeing their faces as a mirror image, and therefore they prefer that version over the non-mirrored version.

Question 8

The hostilities between two racial subgroups of a riverfront community were dramatically reduced when the threat of their river flooding its banks required that they work together to save their town. This best illustrates the impact of

Accepted Answer

The scenario described involves the two racial subgroups of the community working together towards a common goal (i.e. saving their town from flooding). This exemplifies the use of superordinate goals, which are goals that require people from different groups to work together in order to achieve a common objective. The common goal serves to reduce intergroup conflict and increase cooperation between groups.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of implicit prejudice?

Accepted Answer

Implicit prejudice refers to biases that are unconscious and unintentional. In this scenario, Jake's actions suggest that he may hold an unconscious bias or prejudice towards White people, as evidenced by his higher evaluations for essays written by Blacks.

Question 10

Regarding the influence of alcohol and testosterone on aggressive behavior, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

Both alcohol and testosterone have been linked to increased aggression. Consuming alcohol reduces inhibitions and can lead to impulsive and aggressive behavior, while testosterone has been shown to increase dominance and aggression in certain contexts. Therefore, the combination of alcohol and testosterone can lead to even more pronounced aggressive behavior.

Question 11

We tend to perceive the members of an ingroup as ________ and the members of an outgroup as ________.

Accepted Answer

We tend to perceive the members of our ingroup as similar to us and each other, while perceiving the members of an outgroup as more diverse and different from us.

Question 12

Research studies have found a positive correlation between aggressive tendencies in animals and levels of the hormone

Accepted Answer

Testosterone has been linked to aggressive behavior in various animal species, including humans. This hormone is produced in higher levels in males and has been found to influence territorial and aggressive behaviors. Studies have shown that castration (which reduces testosterone levels) can decrease aggressive tendencies in male animals.

Question 13

People with power and status may become prejudiced because

Accepted Answer

People with power and status may become prejudiced because they tend to justify the social inequalities between themselves and others. They may believe that their higher status is due to some inherent superiority or merit, rather than being a result of systemic advantages or luck. This cognitive bias can lead to feelings of entitlement, and a lack of empathy toward those with less privilege.

Question 14

Which of the following BEST describes how GRIT works?

Accepted Answer

GRIT (Graduated and Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction) involves a strategy where conflicting parties engage in a series of reciprocated conciliatory acts to reduce tension and build trust.

Question 15

Research studies indicate that in an emergency situation, the presence of others often

Accepted Answer

Research studies indicate that in an emergency situation, the presence of others often prevents people from even noticing the situation, prevents people from interpreting an unusual event as an emergency, and prevents people from assuming responsibility for assisting. This is known as the bystander effect, where individuals are less likely to intervene in an emergency situation when others are present due to diffusion of responsibility and social influence.

Question 16

Research has found that for a minority to succeed in swaying a majority, the minority must

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that consistent expression of a position is crucial for a minority to succeed in swaying a majority. This is because consistent messaging gradually creates a shift in perception and promotes a more receptive attitude towards the minority's position.

Question 17

Which of the following is important in promoting conformity in individuals?

Accepted Answer

The presence of others and the observation of one's behavior can lead to conformity, as individuals may adjust their behavior to align with group norms in order to avoid disapproval or social rejection. The other choices are not significant factors in promoting conformity.

Question 18

Which of the following conclusions did Milgram derive from his studies of obedience?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following conclusions did Milgram...

Question 19

Which of the following best summarizes the relative importance of personal control and social control of our behavior?

Accepted Answer

Both situational and personal influences interact in shaping our behavior. While situational factors such as social norms and environmental cues may affect our behavior, our individual values, beliefs, and personality traits also play an important role in determining our actions. Therefore, it's important to consider both personal and social control when examining human behavior.

Question 20

Which of the following factors is the MOST powerful predictor of friendship?

Accepted Answer

Physical proximity is the most powerful predictor of friendship as it allows for more frequent contact and opportunities for interaction, leading to the development of relationships. While similarities in age, racial and religious background, and physical attractiveness may contribute to the formation of friendships, physical proximity is the most consistent factor in research studies.

Quiz 13: Personality