4.3 vocab

After a heated debate in a group about a political issue, the members find themselves more strongly supportive of their original views than they were before the discussion. What phenomenon is this?

• Groupthink

• Group polarization

• Social facilitation

• Diffusion of responsibility

Answer explanation

The phenomenon described is group polarization, where group discussions lead members to adopt more extreme positions than they initially held, reinforcing their original views after the debate.

During a meeting, a group of executives quickly agrees on a plan without considering all possible alternatives or possible negative outcomes. They all go along with the plan despite having some reservations, resulting in a poor decision. What concept explains this?

• Social loafing

• Groupthink

• Social responsibility norm

• Deindividuation

Answer explanation

The scenario illustrates 'Groupthink', where the desire for harmony leads to poor decision-making. Executives overlook alternatives and suppress doubts, resulting in a consensus that ignores potential negative outcomes.

In a crowded street, a person collapses, and several people around her notice but assume that someone else will call for help. What principle explains this lack of individual action?

• Diffusion of responsibility

• Bystander effect

• Social reciprocity norm

• Altruism

Answer explanation

The diffusion of responsibility occurs when individuals in a group assume that others will take action, leading to inaction. In this case, bystanders expect someone else to call for help, illustrating this principle.

A group project is being done for a class. One person, knowing that others will do the bulk of the work, contributes very little. What behavior is this an example of?

• Groupthink

• Diffusion of responsibility

• Social loafing

• Social facilitation

Answer explanation

This behavior is an example of social loafing, where individuals contribute less effort when working in a group, relying on others to do the majority of the work.

In a large crowd during a concert, people begin acting more impulsively and irresponsibly than they would have in a more controlled setting. This change in behavior is an example of what?

• Deindividuation

• Group polarization

• Social responsibility norm

• False consensus effect

Answer explanation

This change in behavior is an example of deindividuation, where individuals in a crowd lose self-awareness and feel less accountable for their actions, leading to impulsive and irresponsible behavior.

A skilled basketball player performs better in front of an audience during a game than they do when practicing alone. What psychological effect explains this improved performance?

• Groupthink

• Social loafing

• Social facilitation

• Bystander effect

Answer explanation

The improved performance of the basketball player in front of an audience is explained by social facilitation, which suggests that the presence of others enhances an individual's performance on well-practiced tasks.

After an election, a person believes that most people share their opinion about the winning candidate, even though this is not true. What cognitive bias is at play?

• Social reciprocity norm

• False consensus effect

• Altruism

• Social trap

Answer explanation

The false consensus effect is a cognitive bias where individuals overestimate the extent to which others share their beliefs or opinions. In this case, the person wrongly assumes that most people agree with their view of the winning candidate.

Two rival groups are forced to work together to fix a broken bridge that connects their communities. Their shared goal of repairing the bridge is a good example of what?

• Group polarization

• Superordinate goals

• Social responsibility norm

• Diffusion of responsibility

Answer explanation

The situation illustrates superordinate goals, where two rival groups unite to achieve a common objective—in this case, repairing the bridge—demonstrating collaboration beyond their differences.

A group of fishermen continues overfishing because it brings them immediate profits, even though they know it will eventually deplete fish stocks. What concept explains this short-term focus?

• Groupthink

• Social trap

• Bystander effect

• Altruism

Answer explanation

The situation describes a social trap, where individuals prioritize short-term gains (immediate profits from overfishing) over long-term sustainability (depleting fish stocks), leading to negative consequences for the group.

When a person witnesses someone in distress, they selflessly help without expecting anything in return. What term describes this kind of behavior?

• Social responsibility norm

• Altruism

• Social loafing

• Group polarization

Answer explanation

The behavior described is known as altruism, which refers to selfless concern for the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. This distinguishes it from concepts like social responsibility norm or social loafing.