chapter 12 - social psychology

Question 1

Some research has shown that there are gender differences in aggression. These findings suggest that

Answer 1

higher levels of testosterone may produce more outward aggression in males.

Question 2

There are two alternative pathways to persuading others. One leads us to respond to persuasive arguments on the basis of snap judgments. This is known as the

Answer 2

peripheral route.

Question 3

A belief about the characteristics of members of a group that are applied generally to most members of the group is known as a(n)

Answer 3

stereotype.

Question 4

What is the moral or take-home message of Solomon Asch’s series of experiments in which participants were asked to judge the lengths of lines? People will go to great lengths

Answer 4

to fit in with others

Question 5

Raoul wanted a new cell phone. One of the companies was offering free cell phones with a purchase of a two-year contract. Along with the offer came free text messaging for a month. Raoul purchased the contract. After the month he liked the text package so much he kept it at a rather hefty price. This is an example of the

Answer 5

foot-in-the-door technique

Question 6

Unfounded negative beliefs of which we are aware regarding the characteristics of an out-group are known as

Answer 6

explicit prejudice

Question 7

When their friend Vincent was walking down the hall after a pleasant conversation, Neil and Michaela watched as he suddenly tripped and fell to the floor, scattering his schoolbooks all over the hallway. They ran over to him, helped him pick up his books, and commented, “I didn’t know that the floor was so slippery in this part of the hall!” Neil and Michaela have made a __________ attribution to explain why Vincent fell over.

Answer 7

situational

Question 8

When a person assigns causes to another individual’s behavior and assumes that the behavior is due to that individual’s personal characteristics, a(n) ________ is made.

Answer 8

dispositional attribution

Question 9

You get on an elevator. Everyone is facing to the right. You turn and also face to the right. This is an example of

Answer 9

conformity

Question 10

The ________ is the claim that our attributions and behaviors are shaped by a belief that the world is fair and people always get what they deserve.

Answer 10

just-world hypothesis

Question 11

In a televised “social experiment” by the local television network, 12 people—6 white and 6 African American—were asked to live together for one week. They varied in their level of prejudice; however, those with low levels of prejudice became less prejudiced, while those with high levels became more prejudiced. A psychologist from the university coined this behavior

Answer 11

group polarization

Question 12

Which term means behavior intended to harm others, and can be influenced by such factors as frustration, the media, and the weather?

Answer 12

agression

Question 13

When we experience an unpleasant state of tension between two or more conflicting thoughts, we are experiencing

Answer 13

cognitive dissonance

Question 14

Sherif’s “Robbers Cave” experiment demonstrated that prejudice can be reduced by

Answer 14

engaging the groups in activities that required them to cooperate to achieve a goal.

Question 15

Drawing negative conclusions about a person, group of people, or situation prior to evaluating the evidence is known as

Answer 15

prejudice

Question 16

The phenomenon where we are more likely to believe something we’ve heard many times is known as the

Answer 16

recognition heuristic

Question 17

________ occurs when an individual aims his/her aggression toward an innocent target.

Answer 17

scapegoating

Question 18

As the rise of anonymous online “flaming” and the masks of the KKK demonstrate, feelings of anonymity and lack of personal responsibility are the most prominent factors contributing to

Answer 18

deindividuation.

Question 19

When an individual, who is part of a larger group, chooses to put forth less effort than other group members, ________ occurs.

Answer 19

social loafing

Question 20

Cynthia has recently begun a career with a Jewish-based agency. Up until this point in her life, she had not had any interaction with anyone who was Jewish. Based on the individuals she works with, she has found them to be a very close knit group who cares for their own in the community who may need assistance. Additionally, she has found them to be very educated and assertive. Cynthia now holds the view that all Jewish people are the same: educated, close knit within their own group, assertive, and caring toward other Jewish folks who need help. Cynthia’s view represents

Answer 20

a stereotype

Question 21

Which of the following is true of the classic Robber’s Cave study by Sherif and Sherif (1967)?

Answer 21

It demonstrated that when the in-group and out-group mentality develops, prejudice and hostility are likely to follow and by limiting resources, thereby forcing the groups to work together, the hostility ended and friendships eventually formed.

Question 22

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Answer 22

Human nature is a combination of both socially constructive and destructive tendencies.

Question 23

The difference between conformity and obedience is

Answer 23

conformity is influence from peers or colleagues and obedience is influence from authority.

Question 24

The __________ attribution error is a phenomenon in which people make an attribution based on character, even when they know that the behavior is situational.

Answer 24

fundamental

Question 25

There are two alternative pathways to persuading others. One leads us to evaluate the merits of the persuasive arguments carefully and thoughtfully. This is known as the

Answer 25

central route

Question 26

The __________ attribution error is a phenomenon in which people make an attribution based on character, even when they know that the behavior is situational.

Answer 26

fundamental

Question 27

Adherence to the instructions from those in higher authority is the definition of

Answer 27

obedience

Question 28

Social psychology is best defined as the scientific study of

Answer 28

social influence

Question 29

Situations where group unanimity comes at the expense of critical thinking, and sound decision making is overlooked, are known as

Answer 29

groupthink

Question 30

Galen decided to join the Peace Corps after college and turned down three very financially lucrative job offers in the process. He believed that joining the Peace Corps could assist more people than his job offers in the field of advertising. Which of the following BEST describes Galen’s decision?

Answer 30

altruism

Question 31

This form of aggression is prevalent in girls and involves spreading rumors, gossiping, and nonverbal putdowns.

Answer 31

relational aggression

Question 32

At a crowded park, Kayla sees an old man clutching his heart and stumbling. If Kayla assumes that someone else will help the old man, she is experiencing the phenomenon known as

Answer 32

diffusion of responsibility

Question 33

A local charity sends you return mailing labels and asks you to contribute whatever you can. You go ahead and send $5. A month later, you receive another request, but this time for $10, along with numerous other charities to contribute to. While you feel good that you contributed, you may be experiencing the

Answer 33

foot in the door technique

Question 34

When we focus on the informational content of an argument and determine if it holds up under scrutiny, we are using the ________ of the dual process model of persuasion. This way works well when we have plenty of time and results in strongly held, relatively enduring attitudes.

Answer 34

central route