ASPPB Social Psychology 2

Question 1

According to Festinger's social comparison theory, people are most likely to compare themselves to others who are:

Accepted Answer

Similar to themselves

Answer

Social comparison theory holds that people evaluate their opinions and abilities by comparing themselves to similar others.

Question 2

The 'bystander effect' is BEST explained by which two social psychological processes?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion of responsibility and pluralistic ignorance

Answer

The bystander effect occurs because onlookers assume others will help (diffusion of responsibility) and look to others to define the situation as an emergency (pluralistic ignorance).

Question 3

Which persuasion route in the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) is used when a person has low motivation to process a message?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral route

Answer

The peripheral route involves persuasion through cues like source attractiveness or expertise rather than careful argument evaluation.

Question 4

A researcher finds that participants who received a small reward for a boring task reported liking it more than those given a large reward. This best illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Insufficient justification (small reward) creates dissonance, leading people to change their attitude to justify their behavior.

Question 5

In Tajfel's Social Identity Theory, 'in-group favoritism' occurs primarily because people:

Accepted Answer

Seek to enhance self-esteem through positive group identity

Answer

Social identity theory posits that group membership contributes to self-esteem, motivating people to view their in-group positively.

(ASPPB) Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards Practice Test

(ASPPB) Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards Practice Test

ASPPB Social Psychology 2