Social Psychology

Social psychology differs from psychology in its focus on ______.

• people's susceptibility to clever advertising

• the influences of the social world in which we exist

• abnormal behavior

• conformity

Which of the following is NOT a form of social influence?

• conformity

• compliance

• obedience

• altruism

Vince has always believed children deserve the best prenatal care available. During a class discussion, he hears the first of several speakers express very negative attitudes toward spending tax money on prenatal care for the poor. When it is his turn to speak, he voices an opinion more in keeping with the previous speakers. Vince's behavior is an example of _______________________.

• compliance

• persuasion

• conformity

• obedience

The main task of the Solomon Asch studies was ____________________.

• selecting paint colors

• judging line size

• rating new fashions

• taste-testing new candies

Which aspect of culture tends to decrease rates of conformity?

• sex-role stereotypes

• low socioeconomic status

• high level individualism

• high levels of societal dependence

When members of a group give priority to the cohesiveness of the group over the facts of a situation, they are engaging in what social psychologists call _____.

• groupthink

• mass thought

• consumerism

• solidarity thnk

After a group of gang members learned that their friend had died in a seemingly random accident, several of the friends started blaming a rival gang for the death. Even though there was no evidence whatsoever that the death had been intentional, the more the friends talked the more passionate they became in their belief that an act of revenge was necessary. What concept from social psychology may contribute to an act of violent revenge in this case?

• social influence

• prosocial behavior

• altruism

• groupthink

All of the following are causes for groupthink EXCEPT ____________.

• the belief that the group can do no wrong

• the belief that the group is invulnerable

• the belief that those who oppose the group have no worthwhile opinions

• openness to differing opinions

Many people hang up on telemarketers, but others will listen politely to their pitches even if they are not interested in the product. Telemarketers know that anyone who agrees to listen to a pitch is more likely to buy the product, thanks to the ________ phenomenon.

• risky shift

• polarization

• foot-in-the-door

• door-in-the-face

"Jeremy, can you possibly give me a ride to the airport this Sunday," your friend Ben asks. Not thinking that this is a big deal, you agree to do this favor for Ben. "Oh, that's great! Thanks so much. And by the way, I forgot that the plane leaves at 8:30 am so I'll have to be at the airport by 6:30 am. Pick me up at 6:00. See you then," Ben adds. You are still likely to do the favor for Ben because you have just been a victim of the _____________ technique.

• lowball

• norm of reciprocity

• door-in-the-face

• obedience