EPPP Social and Multicultural Bases of Behavior

Question 1

The tendency to overestimate dispositional factors and underestimate situational factors when explaining others' behavior is known as:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency to over-attribute others' behavior to their character or disposition rather than to situational factors.

Question 2

When a person experiences psychological discomfort from holding two conflicting beliefs simultaneously, the resulting tension is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Cognitive dissonance, as described by Festinger, occurs when contradictory cognitions are held simultaneously, creating motivational pressure to reduce the inconsistency.

Question 3

In Asch's line judgment experiments, participants who conformed to clearly incorrect group answers demonstrated the powerful influence of:

Accepted Answer

Normative social influence

Answer

Asch's conformity experiments showed normative social influence, where individuals conformed to avoid rejection and maintain group acceptance even when the group was clearly wrong.

Question 4

Which phenomenon occurs when a cohesive group prioritizes consensus over critical evaluation, leading to poor decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Groupthink

Answer

Groupthink, identified by Janis, occurs when cohesiveness and pressure for conformity override realistic appraisal of alternatives, resulting in flawed collective decisions.

Question 5

A psychologist holds negative attitudes toward members of a particular ethnic group but does not act on those attitudes in clinical practice. This BEST represents:

Accepted Answer

Prejudice without discrimination

Answer

Prejudice refers to negative internal attitudes toward a group, while discrimination involves differential behavior; one can hold prejudiced attitudes without engaging in discriminatory actions.

EPPP - Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology Practice Test

EPPP - Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology Practice Test

EPPP Social and Multicultural Bases of Behavior