Question 1

Which of the following theories explains the insufficient justification effect by claiming that we explain our behavior by noting the conditions under which it occurs?

Accepted Answer

A)  self-perception 
B)  self-presentation 
C)  role-playing 
D)  cognitive dissonance

Question 2

After making important decisions, we usually reduce dissonance by _____ the chosen alternative and _____ the unchosen option.

Accepted Answer

A)  emphasizing; revamping 
B)  revamping; emphasizing 
C)  downgrading; upgrading 
D)  upgrading; downgrading

Question 3

You have recently earned a promotion at work and are now a manager. You decide to use your knowledge of social psychology to improve the working conditions of your new subordinates. You know that the dissonance theory predicts that attitudes will follow behaviors for which we feel some responsibility; therefore you decide to use _____ to elicit the desired behaviors in your subordinates.

Accepted Answer

A)  reminders of your legitimate authority 
B)  only social punishments and rewards 
C)  promises rather than threats 
D)  only enough incentive

Question 4

Describe one of your attitudes. Include cognitive, affective, and behavioral components.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe one of your attitudes. Include cognitive,...

Question 5

At the beginning of the Iraq war only 38 percent of Americans said the war was justified even if Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction. When no such weapons were found after the war, 58 percent of Americans then supported the war. Myers explains this revision of people's memories of the government's rationale for going to war as an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  self-presentation. 
B)  cognitive dissonance. 
C)  terror management theory. 
D)  self-perception.

Question 6

According to the theory of _____, you can best predict a person's behavior when you know that person's intended behaviors and their perceived self-efficacy and control.

Accepted Answer

A)  attitude formation 
B)  inoculation 
C)  planned behavior 
D)  correlated behavior

Question 7

Which of the following theories assumes that for strategic reasons, we express attitudes that make us appear consistent?

Accepted Answer

A)  self-presentation theory 
B)  self-consistency theory 
C)  cognitive dissonance theory 
D)  self-perception theory

Question 8

The cognitive dissonance theory was formulated by

Accepted Answer

A)  James Laird. 
B)  William James. 
C)  Leon Festinger. 
D)  Daryl Bem.

Question 9

The result of bribing people to do what they already like doing and after which they may see their actions as externally controlled rather than intrinsically appealing is best explained by the

Accepted Answer

A)  self-presentation theory. 
B)  emotional contagion theory. 
C)  overjustification effect. 
D)  insufficient justification effect.

Question 10

Research revealed that the POWs (prisoners of war) of the Korean War were brainwashed through the tactic of

Accepted Answer

A)  torture and punishment. 
B)  gradually escalating demands. 
C)  attitude adjustment. 
D)  confidence-building.

Question 11

In the context of social movements, an effective brainwashing program uses all of the following techniques EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  insisting on active participation. 
B)  a gradual escalation of demands. 
C)  use of the "start small and build" tactic. 
D)  physical punishment.

Question 12

Jeremy loses his former interest in doing arithmetic after his teacher promises him $1 for each problem he solves correctly. Which theory best explains Jeremy's loss of interest in arithmetic?

Accepted Answer

A)  self-perception theory 
B)  cognitive dissonance theory 
C)  self-presentation theory 
D)  self-monitoring theory

Question 13

Applying the self-perception theory, the best way to cultivate Mark's enjoyment of a task that is not intrinsically appealing to him is to use incentives to have him comply with the behavior and then suggest that

Accepted Answer

A)  he did the task for an intrinsic reason. 
B)  he did the task for an extrinsic reason. 
C)  he did the task because he was forced into doing it. 
D)  he not do the task again.

Question 14

Although your mother had to nag you to clean your room as a child, she always praised your desire to keep your room clean and orderly when you finished. Her comments likely _____ your intrinsic motivation to maintain a clean and orderly environment on your own.

Accepted Answer

A)  increased 
B)  decreased 
C)  eliminated 
D)  downgraded

Question 15

A store owner is concerned about shoplifting. Research on potent attitudes that influence shoplifting suggests that he can reduce theft by

Accepted Answer

A)  installing metal detectors. 
B)  attaching anti-theft devices on his merchandise. 
C)  installing eye-level mirrors in his store. 
D)  placing security guards at all exits.

Question 16

Which area of the brain is active when we automatically evaluate social stimuli?

Accepted Answer

A)  occipital lobe 
B)  hypothalamus 
C)  amygdala 
D)  cerebellum

Question 17

When social psychologists try to measure attitudes of people, they

Accepted Answer

A)  get a direct reading of their behaviors. 
B)  easily obtain the changes in attitudes by controlling all external social influences. 
C)  predominantly avoid recording and evaluating implicit and explicit attitudes. 
D)  end up measuring expressed attitudes.

Question 18

What is the "principle of aggregation"? How can it help us understand moral hypocrisy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the "principle of aggregation"? How...

Question 19

Juan needed to decide if he should live at home with his parents or in a dorm this year. He liked the idea of the freedom of the dorm but knew it was cheaper to live at home. According to cognitive dissonance theory, in order to reduce dissonance after deciding to stay at home Juan will likely

Accepted Answer

A)  wish that he had decided to move to the dorm. 
B)  feel like he made the right decision wish he could have afforded the move. 
C)  feel confident that he made the best decision; dorms are expensive and dirty anyway. 
D)  change his mind at the last minute and ultimately live in the dorms.

Question 20

Attitudes include all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  affects. 
B)  behavioral tendencies. 
C)  cognitions. 
D)  aptitudes.

Exam 4: Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity