Psychology Degree Social Influence and Behavior Questions and Answers

Question 1

A research participant is instructed by a person in a lab coat to deliver what they believe are increasingly painful electric shocks to another person.
Despite the other person's cries of pain, the participant continues to follow the instructions.
This behavior is a powerful demonstration of which social psychology concept?

Accepted Answer

Obedience to authority

Answer

The bystander effect

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Social loafing

Question 2

Which of the following is a primary symptom of groupthink, a phenomenon where the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives?

Accepted Answer

An illusion of invulnerability

Answer

Increased critical evaluation of ideas

Answer

A strong sense of individual accountability

Answer

Openness to outside opinions

Question 3

A charity worker first asks a homeowner if they would be willing to sign a petition to support local parks. After the homeowner agrees, the worker then asks if they would be willing to make a small donation. This persuasion strategy is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Foot-in-the-door technique

Answer

Door-in-the-face technique

Answer

Low-ball technique

Answer

That's-not-all technique

Question 4

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working collectively on a group task where their individual contributions are not monitored is known as:

Accepted Answer

Social loafing

Answer

Deindividuation

Answer

Group polarization

Answer

Social facilitation

Question 5

During a class discussion, a student is unsure of the answer to a complex question. After hearing several classmates confidently provide the same incorrect answer, the student agrees with them, believing that the group must have more information. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Informational social influence

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Normative social influence

Question 6

A person collapses on a crowded city sidewalk. Many people see the individual but fail to help, each assuming someone else will intervene. This failure to act is best explained by the principle of:

Accepted Answer

Diffusion of responsibility

Answer

Pluralistic ignorance

Answer

Audience inhibition

Answer

Reciprocal altruism