Question 1

Expectations can often predict behavior because

Accepted Answer

Expectations that are accurate can predict behavior because they are based on observation, past experiences, or other reliable sources of information. This allows us to anticipate how someone will act in a certain situation based on their past behavior or personal characteristics. However, if expectations are not accurate, they may not be useful in predicting behavior.

Question 2

found that among married couples,the self-fulfilling prophecy occurred when one person interpreted slight hurts as rejections.The person who felt rejected was then motivated to

Accepted Answer

The self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when one person interprets slight hurts as rejections, which causes them to feel rejected and devalue their partner. This devaluation then motivates them to become distant from their partner. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 3

According to your text,people everywhere perceive mediators and media as

Accepted Answer

People generally perceive mediators and media as biased against their position, often feeling that coverage or decisions are not in their favor.

Question 4

Although you once earned a 100 on your physics exam,you have subsequently been unable to earn a perfect score again.Your experience may be understood in terms of

Accepted Answer

Regression toward the average is the phenomenon where extreme scores tend to move closer to the average on subsequent attempts. Since the initial score of 100 is an extreme score, it is likely that subsequent scores will not be as high.

Question 5

The "Kulechov effect" (named after a Russian film director)is another illustration of

Accepted Answer

The Kulechov effect highlights how our preconceptions and expectations can greatly influence our perception of emotions. It demonstrates that the same neutral face can be interpreted as showing different emotions depending on the context in which it is presented. This is a clear example of how our preconceptions determine our subsequent perceptions of emotion.

Question 6

The perception of a relationship where none actually exists,or the perception of a stronger relationship than actually exists,is called

Accepted Answer

The perception of a relationship where none actually exists, or the perception of a stronger relationship than actually exists, is called an illusory correlation. This refers to the tendency to overestimate the association between two variables, even when there is no real correlation between them. The other options, such as representative heuristic, availability heuristic, and overconfidence phenomenon, pertain to different aspects of cognitive bias and decision-making.

Question 7

Thinking that our premonitions correlate with events represents

Accepted Answer

The belief that our premonitions or superstitions predict events is an example of an illusory correlation, as there is no actual causal link between the two. We may remember instances when our premonitions seemed to come true, but ignore all the times when they did not.

Question 8

After 9/11,many people abandoned air travel because of the

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic refers to the tendency to rely on easily accessible information when making judgments or decisions. In the aftermath of 9/11, the media coverage of the event and continued discussions about it made the possibility of a similar attack seem much more available to people, leading them to feel that air travel was riskier than it actually was. This, in turn, led many people to avoid flying altogether.

Question 9

You attend a party where you do not know anyone,but expect that people will be friendly.You behave in a warm and sociable manner.Your behavior,in turn,leads to other people being friendly to you.This situation can best be described as

Accepted Answer

This situation can best be described as behavioral confirmation, which refers to the phenomenon where a person's expectations about another person lead the first person to behave toward the second person in a way that causes the second person to confirm the first person's expectations. In this case, your warm and sociable behavior led others to be friendly to you, confirming your initial expectation that people would be friendly. The other options are not relevant to this scenario.

Question 10

The idea that chance events are subject to our influence describes

Accepted Answer

The idea that chance events are subject to our influence refers to the illusion of control, where individuals believe they have control over random or uncontrollable events. This belief can lead to overestimating the likelihood of their ability to influence outcomes and can result in risk-taking behavior or faulty decision-making.

Question 11

Although travelers in the United States are more likely to die in an automobile crash than on a commercial flight covering the same distance,people often assume that flying is more dangerous than driving.What type of heuristic are people using when they make this assumption?

Accepted Answer

People are using the availability heuristic when they assume that flying is more dangerous than driving. The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut where people make judgments based on how easily they can bring examples to mind. In this case, people are more likely to remember instances of plane crashes because they are more widely publicized than car accidents. This makes flying seem more dangerous, even though statistically it is safer.

Question 12

When our expectations lead us to act in ways that induce others to confirm those expectations,_______ is at work.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral confirmation, also known as the self-fulfilling prophecy, occurs when our expectations about a person or situation lead us to act in ways that induce others to confirm those expectations. This can result in a cycle of reinforcement where our initial expectations are continually confirmed, even if they were originally false or unfounded.

Question 13

Researchers had male students speak by telephone with women they thought were either attractive or unattractive.When judges later analyzed the women's comments,they found that the

Accepted Answer

The judges found that the women thought to be attractive spoke more warmly, indicating a more positive and friendly demeanor.

Question 14

Research on gambling has found that throwing the dice or spinning the wheel increases people's confidence.This illustrates the

Accepted Answer

The illusion of control is the belief that one has control over outcomes that are actually determined by chance or random events. Throwing the dice or spinning the wheel in gambling gives the individual a sense of control and increases their confidence in their ability to win, even though the outcome is ultimately determined by chance.

Question 15

The cognitive rule that judges the likelihood of things in terms of their availability in memory is called the _____ heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is the cognitive shortcut where we make judgments and decisions based on how easily examples or instances come to mind. We tend to place more importance on examples that are more available in our memory, rather than objectively considering all relevant factors.

Question 16

The statistical tendency for extreme scores or behaviors to return toward average is called

Accepted Answer

The statistical tendency for extreme scores or behaviors to return toward average is called regression toward the average. This phenomenon is often seen in situations where extreme results are due to chance or luck, rather than skill or ability. When these extreme results are followed by new attempts or performances, the results often return to the average level.

Question 17

A belief that leads to its own fulfillment is called

Accepted Answer

A belief that leads to its own fulfillment is called a self-fulfilling prophecy. This means that when someone has a certain belief or expectation, it can influence their behavior in a way that actually brings about the expected outcome. This phenomenon has been observed in many areas of life, from education to sports to business. By believing in themselves and their abilities, individuals can create a self-fulfilling prophecy that leads to success. Conversely, if someone has negative beliefs or expectations, it can also lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure or disappointment.

Question 18

Assuming most crimes involve violence because the news generally reports on rapes,robberies and beatings is an example of the _______ heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is when people estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily instances come to mind. In this case, the news reports on violent crimes more frequently, making them more available in people's minds and leading to the assumption that most crimes involve violence.

Question 19

,if you want young children to put trash in wastebaskets,you should repeatedly

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement, such as congratulating children for being neat and tidy, encourages them to repeat the desired behavior, like putting trash in wastebaskets.

Question 20

found that randomly selected elementary school students experienced a spurt in IQ score largely as a result of

Accepted Answer

The passage states that the students' IQ scores increased largely as a result of their teachers' elevated expectations. Therefore, option B is the best choice. The other options may have contributed to the spurt in IQ score, but the passage does not indicate that they were the primary cause.

Quiz 8: Reasons for Unreason