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Question 1

Peggy worked very hard as an unpaid volunteer at an animal shelter because she hoped to get hired as a full-time staff member after she finished school. Peggy’s helping behavior best illustrates:

altruism.
conformity.
prosocial behavior.
obedience.

Answer 1

prosocial behavior

Question 2

During a test, Abe impulsively copied several answers from a nearby student’s paper. He felt very uncomfortable about having done this until he convinced himself that copying answers is not wrong if classmates are careless enough to expose their test sheets. Which theory best explains why Abe adopted this new attitude?

frustration-aggression theory
attribution theory
social exchange theory
cognitive dissonance theory

Answer 2

cognitive dissonance theory

Question 3

Leslie is concerned about the environment and consistently sorts her garbage by placing paper, plastic, metal, and glass in their respective recycling containers. This example best illustrates the _____ component of attitudes.

cognitive
emotional
biological
behavioral

Answer 3

behavioral

Question 3

The bus is fairly crowded when you get on. You make a rapid evaluation and quickly decide to sit next to a well-dressed senior citizen because you think that it will be safer to sit next to him than some of the other people on the bus. This example illustrates:

a. the effect of ethnocentrism.
b. a typical response to the stereotype threat.
c. the bystander effect.
d. the process of person perception.

Answer 3

d. the process of person perception.

Question 4

When Jason looked at his professor on the first day of class he thought that she was well-dressed, about 35 or 36 years old, probably married with a couple of kids, and would be too busy with her research to post regular office hours. Jason is _____ in categorizing his professor.

using implicit cognition
engaged in the stereotype threat
using explicit cognition
using his orbital frontal lobes and amygdala

Answer 4

using explicit cognition

Question 5

Tammy loved the movie Enchanted and thought that the wicked stepmother was ugly and evil and that the lovely princess was innocent and virtuous. Because of cultural conditioning it is likely that Tammy is using _____ called _____.

a. an explicit cognition; the “feel good, do good” effect
b. an implicit personality theory; “what is beautiful is good”
c. a form of social categorization; the stereotype threat
d. a schema; the “that’s not all” effect

Answer 5

b. an implicit personality theory; “what is beautiful is good”

Question 6

Rhonda has just learned that her neighbor Patricia was involved in an automobile accident at a nearby intersection. The tendency to make the fundamental attribution error may lead Rhonda to conclude

a. “Patricia’s brakes must have failed.”
b. “Patricia’s recklessness has finally gotten her into trouble.”
c. “Patricia’s children probably distracted her.”
d. “The road must have been wet and slippery.”

Answer 6

b. “Patricia’s recklessness has finally gotten her into trouble.”

Question 7

Nestor belongs to the cross-country ski club at his college but is not a member of the downhill ski club. In terms of basic social categories, Nestor’s cross-country club members are the _____ and the members of the downhill ski club are the _____.

nonconformists; conformists
in-group; out-group
conformists; nonconformists
out-group; in-group

Answer 7

in-group; out-group

Question 8

Mr. Ignatenko thinks that most unemployed people are to blame for their own misfortune. His belief is best explained in terms of
deindividuation.
the bystander effect.
the mere exposure effect.
the just-world phenomenon.

Answer 8

the just-world phenomenon.

Question 9

Blindfolded subjects were observed to clap louder when they thought they were clapping alone than when they thought they were clapping with others. This best illustrates

the mere exposure effect.
social loafing.
group polarization.
the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Answer 9

social loafing

Question 10

The Plattsville blood bank is desperately in need of blood donors. Which of the following students would most likely contribute to the blood bank, if asked?

a. Ardyce, who has just fallen head-over-heels in love
b. Grigory, who is busy studying for a history midterm
c. Sigrid, who unexpectedly lost her part-time job and has time on her hands
d. Fred, who is depressed because he just learned he got a D on a chemistry exam

Answer 10

a. Ardyce, who has just fallen head-over-heels in love

Question 11

A local television station did an on-the-scene news report about a nearby town that was almost totally destroyed when a tornado ripped through it. Most of the residents lost their homes and possessions. During the newscast, some of the residents made direct appeals to the viewers for help. According to your textbook, the victims of this tragedy are:

a. not likely to receive help because viewers will likely succumb to the “blame the victim” effect.
b. likely to get help because their plight occurred through no fault of their own.
c. not likely to get help because the news show will put the viewers watching it in a bad mood.
d. very likely to get help because the bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility will motivate viewers to do their part.

Question 11

The Stanford Prison Experiment demonstrated the powerful influence of:

a. explicit orders and direct pressure to obey by an authority figure.
b. the bystander effect.
c. situational roles and conformity to implied social rules and norms.
d. the just-world hypothesis.

Answer 11

c. situational roles and conformity to implied social rules and norms.

Question 12

Before Jackie left for college, she told her friend Lisa that she thought sororities were filled with snobs and that she would never consider joining one. But during Jackie’s first week on campus, she was approached by a sorority member who invited her to a social function and encouraged her to pledge. After Jackie attended the party, she told Lisa, “Sororities do a lot of good things for the community. They’re really service organizations.” Jackie’s change in attitude to match her behavior reflects which of the following concepts?

cognitive dissonance
self-serving bias
out-group homogeneity effect
diffusion of responsibility

Answer 12

cognitive dissonance

Question 13

After a month of watching violent pornographic movies on late-night cable TV, Myron will probably be

a. less likely to believe that women enjoy aggressive sexual treatment.
b. more likely to believe that rape is a serious crime.
c. more likely to interpret a woman’s friendliness as sexual interest.
d. less likely to believe that rape occurs quite frequently in society.

Answer 13

c. more likely to interpret a woman’s friendliness as sexual interest

Question 14

How can deindividuation help explain adolescent acts of vandalism on Halloween?

a. Halloween is typically celebrated only in individualistic cultures.
b. Darkness, masks, and traveling in a group all provide feelings of anonymity that reduce self-awareness and inhibitions, potentially leading to irresponsible behavior.
c. People are less likely to behave responsibly in the presence of other people.
d. Prosocial behaviors are not necessarily altruistic.

Answer 14

b. Darkness, masks, and traveling in a group all provide feelings of anonymity that reduce self-awareness and inhibitions, potentially leading to irresponsible behavior.

Question 15

If a teacher uses the jigsaw classroom technique, it is very likely that the children will:

a. develop intense prejudice against members of the out-group.
b. tend to engage in ethnocentrism when trying to solve the mutual problem.
c. have higher self-esteem and greater liking for children in other ethnic groups.
d. become very good at solving jigsaw puzzles but will have poor reading and writing skills.

Answer 15

c. have higher self-esteem and greater liking for children in other ethnic groups.

Question 16

Following 9/11, some outraged people lashed out at innocent Arab-Americans. This venting of hostility can best be explained in terms of

the mere exposure effect.
the just-world phenomenon.
the bystander effect.
scapegoat theory.

Answer 16

scapegoat theory

Question 16

If researchers found that people take longer to identify words such as assertive and bold as “strong” when the words are associated with female faces rather than with male faces, this finding would illustrate

deindividuation.
implicit prejudice.
cognitive dissonance.
the fundamental attribution error.

Answer 16

implicit prejudice

Question 17

Denise went on a diet to lose some weight. When she went to lunch with some co-workers, she hesitated when it was her turn to order. Finally, she ordered the burger and fries instead of the salad and yogurt. She then justified her choice by telling herself that some protein every day is important for good health. Denise’s tendency to focus on the positive aspects of her choice and minimize the negative aspects illustrates which of the following concepts in action?

informational social influence
cognitive dissonance
the self-effacing bias
the fundamental attribution error

Answer 17

cognitive dissonance

Question 18

Victoria is a fifth grader in Zender Elementary School. Like most students in her school, she believes that Zender Elementary School is the best school in the town. This example best illustrates:

in-group bias.
ethnocentrism.
the “feel-good, do-good” effect.
the jigsaw classroom effect.

Answer 18

in-group bias.

Question 19

Steve frequently expresses his extreme attitude about gun control legislation. He is very knowledgeable about the topic, and he has a vested interest in the subject. According to your textbook, Steve:

a. is likely to privately behave in a way that is just the opposite of the attitudes he has publicly expressed.
b. will tend to talk a lot about this topic but is not likely to take any concrete action.
c. is very likely to behave in accordance with his attitudes.
d. is likely to behave only in ways that will gain him social acceptance and approval.

Answer 19

c. is very likely to behave in accordance with his attitudes

Question 19

Liking those who share and validate our attitudes is best explained in terms of

social facilitation.
a reward theory.
deindividuation.
the mere exposure effect.

Answer 19

a reward theory

Question 20

Parents who discipline their children with beatings are often teaching aggression through the process of

social facilitation.
deindividuation.
modeling.
cognitive dissonance.

Answer 20

modeling

Question 21

Harrison is a handsome young man. Other people are most likely to perceive him as being:

a. more intelligent, happier, and better adjusted than other people.
b. less socially competent than unattractive people.
c. more lonely, less popular, and more anxious in social situations than other people.
d. much the same as less attractive people.

Answer 21

a. more intelligent, happier, and better adjusted than other people

Question 22

Which of the following factors made it easier for the Army Reserve guards to mistreat detainees at Abu Ghraib?

a. The guards were outnumbered and frequently physically threatened by the detainees, who had hidden makeshift weapons throughout the prison.
b. The detainees refused to obey prison rules.
c. The detainees were members of a different cultural and ethnic group, which made it easier to perceive them as members of a despised and threatening out-group.
d. There had been numerous rebellions and fights at the prison in the past, one of which had resulted in the death of two prison guards.

Answer 22

c. The detainees were members of a different cultural and ethnic group, which made it easier to perceive them as members of a despised and threatening out-group.

Question 23

While researching a term paper, Marcie read some interesting research on the mental processes we use to form judgments and draw conclusions about the characteristics and motives of others. Marcie was reading research about:

evolutionary psychology.
person perception.
social influence.
cognitive psychology.

Answer 23

person perception

Question 24

When Yoshiko’s hard work and ability landed a big contract for her company, she would not accept the credit, insisting it was pure luck. When she failed to get the contract in another situation, however, she said it was her fault for not trying hard enough. This example illustrates:

the hindsight bias.
the just-world hypothesis.
the self-serving bias.
the self-effacing, or modesty, bias.

Answer 24

the self-effacing, or modesty, bias.

Question 25

On a cross-country road trip Gregory ran out of gas on the outskirts of Edenville, population 3,211. Which of the following is most probable?

a. Gregory is more likely to get help than if he had a similar problem in nearby Clarksville, population 25,000.
b. There is no way to predict if Gregory will get assistance because population size is not correlated with helping behavior.
c. Gregory is less likely to get help than if he had a similar problem in nearby Clarksville, population 25,000.
d. Although he is a complete stranger in this small town, Gregory is likely to get help very quickly.

Answer 25

c. Gregory is less likely to get help than if he had a similar problem in nearby Clarksville, population 25,000.

Question 26

Orville thinks his girlfriend derives more benefits from their relationship than he does, even though he contributes more to the relationship. Orville most clearly believes that their relationship lacks

self-disclosure.
romantic love.
equity.
superordinate goals.

Answer 26

equity

Question 27

While Eddie was working alone in the microcomputer lab, he noticed a strange unpleasant smell and immediately went to report the incident. Eddie’s behavior:

a. was not constrained by the bystander effect.
b. was the result of diffusion of responsibility.
c. is an example of the self-serving bias.
d. illustrates cognitive dissonance in action.

Answer 27

a. was not constrained by the bystander effect.

Question 28

Milgram’s first obedience study was conducted with 40 male subjects. Andrea is participating in a replication of one of Milgram’s obedience experiments, in which the 40 subjects are all female. You can safely predict that:

a. the results of the female-only study will probably be the same as the male-only study.
b. almost all of the females will refuse to continue when the “learner” first vocalizes pain at the 75-volt level.
c. only about 10 percent of the females will obey the experimenter and progress to the full 450-volt level.
d. none of the female subjects will obey the experimenter and progress beyond the 210-volt level when the “learner” screams with pain.

Answer 28

a. the results of the female-only study will probably be the same as the male-only study

Question 29

Katya donated money to a religious charity in order to boost her own feelings of self-esteem. Jennifer failed to contribute to the same charity because she was fearful of running out of money. Differences in their behavior are best explained in terms of

the reciprocity norm.
social exchange theory.
attribution theory.
the social-responsibility norm.

Answer 29

social exchange theory

Question 30

Andrew volunteered to take part in a psychology experiment to earn extra credit for his psychology class. The experiment was one that studied obedience, and Andrew was asked to deliver aversive (unpleasant) consequences to another student. Based upon what you know about the forces that influence a subject to continue obeying an experimenter’s orders, which of the following reactions is most likely?

a. Andrew would refuse to take part in the experiment once he knew that he would have to deliver aversive consequences to another student.
b. Having volunteered to participate in the experiment for which he will receive extra credit, it is likely that Andrew will have the mental expectation that he should obey the experimenter.
c. Andrew would try to talk the experimenter out of delivering aversive consequences in favor of delivering pleasant consequences.
d. Andrew would not show up for the experiment on moral principles, because most people would believe that delivering aversive consequences to others is morally unacceptable under any circumstances.

Answer 30

b. Having volunteered to participate in the experiment for which he will receive extra credit, it is likely that Andrew will have the mental expectation that he should obey the experimenter.

Question 31

Dr. Alvarez spent his whole working life selflessly helping the sick and poor in some of the poorest countries in the world. This example illustrates:

altruism.
ethnocentrism.
persuasion.
the “feel good, do good” effect.

Answer 31

altruism.

Question 32

If a cross-cultural researcher investigates conformity in both collectivistic cultures and individualistic cultures, she is generally likely to find:

a. conformity tends to be higher in collectivistic cultures compared to individualistic cultures.
b. conformity tends to be lower in collectivistic cultures compared to individualistic cultures.
c. there is no difference in the level of conformity between collectivistic cultures and individualistic cultures.
d. conformity in individualistic cultures does not seem to carry the same negative connotations that it does in collectivistic cultures.

Answer 32

a. conformity tends to be higher in collectivistic cultures compared to individualistic cultures.

Question 33

Half the female participants were told that males typically did better than females on the math test they were about to take, and the other half were told that the test did not produce gender differences. The first group scored lower on the test than did the second group. These results are explained by a phenomenon called:

hindsight bias.
stereotype threat.
blame the victim.
the just-world hypothesis.

Answer 33

stereotype threat.

Question 34

When White university women withheld criticism of a flawed essay written by a Black fellow student, they demonstrated

the mere exposure effect.
patronization.
deindividuation.
the other-race effect.

Answer 34

patronization

Question 35

Joie, age 19, is a Black female university sophomore. Research on how we categorize social information suggests that Joie is most likely to believe that most

a. Chinese people tend to look pretty much alike.
b. Black people tend to dress pretty much alike.
c. young adults tend to prefer the same kinds of music.
d. women tend to share similar attitudes about sex.

Answer 35

a. Chinese people tend to look pretty much alike

Question 35

During a discussion about junk food with her two adolescent children, Mrs. Kozena made it very clear that she thought junk food was disgusting and that it upset her to see her children eat it. Mrs. Kozena’s negative feeling about junk food best illustrates the _____ component of attitudes.

behavioral
cognitive
emotional
prosocial

Answer 35

emotional

Question 36

When Armen first heard the hit song “Lose Yourself,” he wasn’t at all sure he liked it. The more often he heard it played, however, the more he enjoyed it. Armen’s reaction illustrates

the bystander effect.
social facilitation.
the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
the mere exposure effect.

Answer 36

the mere exposure effect

Question 37

Toby publicly agrees with his fraternity brothers that Ahmed, a senior, would make the best student senate president. On the secret ballot, however, he actually votes for Yoram. Toby’s public conformity to his fraternity brothers’ opinion best illustrates the power of

social facilitation.
informational social influence.
normative social influence.
the mere exposure effect.

Answer 37

normative social influence

Question 38

Lacey has reviewed the literature on conformity and obedience for a term paper. If her conclusions are similar to those presented in the textbook, she is likely to suggest that:

a. conformity and obedience are not necessarily bad in and of themselves and are important for an orderly society.
b. human beings are genetically predisposed to conform to group norms and obey authority figures even if it means hurting or killing other people.
c. normative social influence has little or no effect on the degree of conformity and obedience in ambiguous situations.
d. conformity and obedience are bad because they inhibit the creative and innovative initiatives necessary for a progressive society.

Answer 38

a. conformity and obedience are not necessarily bad in and of themselves and are important for an orderly society

Question 38

While they were shopping, 6-year-old Elliot came running around one of the store aisles and excitedly asked his mother if she would buy him a $299 Microsoft Xbox 360 game console to use with their television at home. When his mother immediately refused, Elliot looked very dejected but apologized for asking. A few moments later, Elliot asked, “Well, can I get a new basket for my bicycle?” Clever Elliot appears to be using the _____ technique to persuade his mother.

foot-in-the-door
door-in-the-face
that’s-not-all
low-ball

Answer 38

low-ball

Question 38

Research on physical attractiveness indicates that

a. babies prefer attractive over unattractive faces.
b. most children perceive themselves to be physically unattractive.
c. young adults’ physical attractiveness fails to predict their frequency of dating.
d. adults’ incomes are unrelated to whether they are plain looking or very attractive.

Answer 38

a. babies prefer attractive over unattractive faces.

Question 38

When Catherine decided to major in engineering her parents thought she should reconsider her decision because engineering majors are “logical, analytical, conservative, aggressive, and always male.” Her parents’ view that all engineering majors are similar illustrates:

the stereotype threat.
ethnocentrism.
the out-group homogeneity effect.
the fundamental attribution error.

Answer 38

the out-group homogeneity effect.

Question 39

In investigating the impact of physical arousal on passionate love, Dutton and Aron arranged for an attractive woman to briefly interact with men who had recently

consumed an alcoholic beverage.
crossed a swaying footbridge.
listened to romantic music.
intervened in an emergency.

Answer 39

crossed a swaying footbridge.

Question 39

Several of the people ahead of Kyle in the checkout line at the cafeteria put loose change in a charitable donation box. According to your textbook:

a. it is very unlikely that Kyle will make a donation too.
b. the helping behavior of others has no influence on personal helping behavior.
c. it is quite probable that Kyle will make a donation too.
d. Kyle will only make a donation in this situation if he is in a bad mood.

Answer 39

c. it is quite probable that Kyle will make a donation too.

Question 39

After a light turns green, drivers take about 15 percent less time to travel the first 100 yards when another car is beside them at the intersection than when they are alone. This best illustrates

the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
the mere exposure effect.
the bystander effect.
social facilitation.

Answer 39

social facilitation

Question 39

You would probably be LEAST likely to commit the fundamental attribution error in explaining why

a. you failed a college test.
b. a classmate you don’t know was late for class.
c. your professor gave a boring lecture.
d. the college administration decided to raise next year’s tuition costs.

Answer 39

a. you failed a college test

Question 39

By providing prospective terrorists with electronic chat rooms for interfacing online with others who share their attitudes, the Internet most likely serves as a medium for

social facilitation.
the bystander effect.
group polarization.
cognitive dissonance.

Answer 39

group polarization

Question 39

While they were shopping, 6-year-old Elliot came running around one of the store aisles and excitedly asked his mother if she would buy him a $299 Microsoft Xbox 360 game console to use with their television at home. When his mother immediately refused, Elliot looked very dejected but apologized for asking. A few moments later, Elliot asked, “Well, can I get a new basket for my bicycle?” Clever Elliot appears to be using the _____ technique to persuade his mother.

foot-in-the-door
door-in-the-face
that’s-not-all
low-ball

Answer 39

door-in-the-face

Question 40

Real estate agents promoting a new recreational development offer a free breakfast and the opportunity to win a trip to Hawaii for attending a short sales promotion meeting. It would appear they are using the persuasion technique of the:

rule of commitment.
low-ball technique.
rule of reciprocity.
high-ball technique.

Answer 40

rule of reciprocity

Question 41

Compared with others, strikingly attractive people make a ________ favorable impression on potential employers, and they are ________ likely to perceive praise for their work as sincere.

less; less
more; more
less; more
more; less

Answer 41

more; less

Question 42

After Judy made a choice between two fairly equal alternatives, she emphasized the negative features of the choice she rejected, which is called a “sour grapes” rationalization, and she focused on the positive features of the choice she committed to, a “sweet lemons” rationalization. This example illustrates:

hindsight bias.
the fundamental attribution error.
cognitive dissonance.
the rule of commitment.

Answer 42

cognitive dissonance.

Question 43

Cognitive dissonance theory is most helpful for understanding the
mere exposure effect.
fundamental attribution error.
foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
bystander effect.

Answer 43

foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Question 43

`Olivia, a 21-year-old university student, is quiet, relaxed, reflective, and politically liberal. Research suggests that she would most likely become a good friend of
Cody, who is relaxed and talkative.
Thor, who is politically liberal and assertive.
Philip, who is reflective and quiet.
Pancho, who is talkative and assertive.

Answer 43

Philip, who is reflective and quiet.

Question 44

After carefully considering the pros and cons of each college that had accepted him for admission, Conner decided to attend Blackwater State College. The next day, Conner discovered that three of his closest friends had also decided to attend Blackwater State College. In this example, Conner’s behavior:

a. is an example of conformity to the majority opinion.
b. is the result of normative social influence.
c. is likely to produce strong feelings of cognitive dissonance.
d. does not reflect conformity.

Answer 44

d. does not reflect conformity.

Question 45

Roger was not sure which of two candidates to vote for in the race for mayor. However, after he cast his vote, he felt much more confident that he had made the correct choice. The change in the strength of Roger’s attitude about the candidate he voted for is probably the result of:

informational social influence.
social categorization.
normative social influence.
cognitive dissonance.

Answer 45

cognitive dissonance

Question 46

Natalie suggests that the aggressiveness of her brother’s new friend is the result of his friend’s low self-esteem. Natalie’s inference about the cause of the behavior of her brother’s friend is an example of:

implicit cognition.
cognitive dissonance.
an attribution.
altruism.

Answer 46

an attribution