CFPT Psychology and Human Behavior — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which level must generally be satisfied before an individual is motivated by esteem needs?
- Self-actualization
- Safety and security
- Social belonging (Correct answer)
- Physiological needs
Correct answer: Social belonging
Maslow's hierarchy proceeds from physiological → safety → social belonging (love/belonging) → esteem → self-actualization. Esteem needs (recognition, status) are only motivating once social belonging needs are reasonably met. Self-actualization is above esteem, not below it.
Question 2: A consular officer attributes a visa applicant's nervous demeanor entirely to dishonesty, ignoring that the applicant flew 12 hours and slept poorly. This is best described as:
- The halo effect
- Confirmation bias
- The fundamental attribution error (Correct answer)
- Projection
Correct answer: The fundamental attribution error
The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to over-attribute others' behavior to internal character (dishonesty) while underweighting situational factors (exhaustion, travel stress). The halo effect is generalizing one positive trait; confirmation bias is seeking confirming evidence; projection is attributing one's own feelings to others.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes 'emotional intelligence' as defined in organizational psychology?
- The ability to suppress emotions entirely in professional settings
- Raw cognitive capacity measured by standard IQ tests
- The ability to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively use emotions in oneself and others (Correct answer)
- A personality trait present only in extroverts
Correct answer: The ability to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively use emotions in oneself and others
Emotional intelligence (EQ), as defined by Goleman and others, encompasses perceiving emotions, using emotions to facilitate thought, understanding emotional meanings, and managing emotions — both in oneself and in interactions with others. It is not about suppression, is distinct from IQ, and is not linked to introversion/extroversion.
Question 4: A team member consistently performs well when the group leader is present but poorly when working alone. This pattern is best explained by:
- Social loafing
- Social facilitation (Correct answer)
- Groupthink
- Cognitive dissonance
Correct answer: Social facilitation
Social facilitation refers to the tendency for individuals to perform better on tasks in the presence of others (especially observers or supervisors). Social loafing is the opposite — reduced effort in a group setting. Groupthink involves conformity pressure in group decision-making. Cognitive dissonance is psychological discomfort from conflicting beliefs.
Question 5: Which cognitive bias causes decision-makers to give disproportionate weight to the first piece of information they receive when evaluating a person or situation?
- Availability heuristic
- Anchoring bias (Correct answer)
- Dunning-Kruger effect
- Recency bias
Correct answer: Anchoring bias
Anchoring bias describes the over-reliance on the first information encountered (the 'anchor') when making subsequent judgments. Availability heuristic relies on easily recalled examples. The Dunning-Kruger effect is the overestimation of one's own competence. Recency bias gives excess weight to the most recent information.
Question 6: In Herzberg's two-factor theory of motivation, which of the following is classified as a 'hygiene factor' rather than a true motivator?
- Recognition for achievement
- Opportunities for advancement
- Salary and working conditions (Correct answer)
- The work itself
Correct answer: Salary and working conditions
Herzberg distinguished hygiene factors (whose absence causes dissatisfaction but whose presence does not motivate) from true motivators. Salary, working conditions, company policies, and job security are hygiene factors. Recognition, advancement, growth, and the nature of the work itself are motivators that drive job satisfaction.
CFPT Psychology and Human Behavior
According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which level must generally be satisfied before an individual is motivated by esteem needs?