APA Social Psychology

Question 1

The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Underestimate situational factors and overestimate dispositional factors when explaining others' behavior

Answer

The fundamental attribution error is the bias of overweighting personal traits and underweighting situational influences when explaining other people's behavior.

Question 2

In Milgram's obedience studies, the majority of participants delivered shocks up to what voltage level?

Accepted Answer

450 volts

Answer

About 65% of Milgram's participants continued to the maximum 450-volt level when instructed by an authority figure, despite the learner's apparent distress.

Question 3

Which concept describes the tendency for people to conform to the behavior of others in ambiguous situations?

Accepted Answer

Informational social influence

Answer

Informational social influence occurs when people look to others for guidance about correct behavior when they are uncertain about what to do.

Question 4

Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory predicts that when attitudes and behaviors conflict, people will:

Accepted Answer

Experience tension and seek to reduce it by aligning attitudes or behaviors

Answer

Cognitive dissonance creates psychological discomfort when cognitions conflict, motivating people to reduce the inconsistency by changing attitudes, behaviors, or perceptions.

Question 5

What is 'social loafing'?

Accepted Answer

Reduced individual effort when working in a group compared to working alone

Answer

Social loafing is the tendency for individuals to exert less effort on collective tasks when their individual contributions cannot be identified.

APA - American Psychological Association Practice Test

APA - American Psychological Association Practice Test

APA Social Psychology