Exam 12: Social Psychology

What is groupthink?

Failure to critically evaluate ideas when the primary concern is for reaching agreement is called __________.

A dealer persuades a customer to buy a new car by reducing the price to well below that of his competitors. Once the customer has agreed to buy the car, the terms of the sale are shifted by lowering the value of the trade-in and requiring the purchase of expensive extra equipment. Now the car costs well above the current market rate. This is an example of the __________ technique.

What hormone seems to be associated with aggression?

Saul admits that he conforms so as to be liked by others. This is known as __________.

Because of the way that they invariably lead to discrimination, stereotypes are always negative.

It is a safe assumption that most people who smoke know that it is not good for their health. Using the principle of cognitive dissonance, describe three examples of several things that smokers might do to reduce their dissonance, making sure to include at least one example from each of the three actions noted in the text.

Consider the way that most children feel about eating spinach. Unless the child is very unusual, you will probably not get a favorable reaction when you put a plate of spinach in front of that youngster. Discuss the child's responses from all three of the components of an attitude. Do you think a child's attitude would change if he or she were served spinach immediately following a viewing of the movie Popeye?

A group of Paolo's friends have been waiting for Paolo for an hour. One says, "He never remembers anything." Another says, "He's probably caught in rush hour traffic." What are these friends doing that might be of interest to a social psychologist?

The Kitty Genovese case depicts __________.

You receive a call at home from a telemarketer who wants you to listen to a pitch for aluminum siding. If you agree to listen, you are more likely to buy siding-a phenomenon known as the foot-in-the-door technique.

"We" have all different types of personalities and lots of endearing little quirks, whereas "they" all think and act alike. This assumption would be an example of the cognitive schema called __________.

Which of the following is the correct definition of cognitive dissonance?

Maria was approached by her neighbor, who asked her to adopt three kittens that were abandoned by their mother. While Maria refused to take in three kittens, she did agree to adopt just one. What compliance technique did her neighbor use on Maria?

When a group exerts such strong pressure to conform that it prevents people from expressing critical ideas, the group is suffering from __________.

The hormone associated with aggression seems to be __________.

What term refers to helping behavior that is performed voluntarily for the benefit of another person, with no anticipation of reward?

What is the difference between compliance and obedience?

When the expectations of one person bring about the expected behavior in another person, the expectation has become a(n) __________.

Give one reason why televised violence may cause a child to be aggressive.