Master Social Cognition: Enhance Your Understanding of Others

Question 1

The process of attributing causes to others' behavior is known as:

Accepted Answer

Attribution theory

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Social identity theory

Answer

Heuristics

Question 2

According to the self-serving bias, individuals tend to:

Accepted Answer

Attribute their successes to internal factors and failures to external factors

Answer

Attribute their failures to internal factors and successes to external factors

Answer

Attribute their successes and failures equally to internal and external factors

Answer

Avoid attributing their behavior to any specific factors

Question 3

The tendency to perceive others as more similar to ourselves than they actually are is known as:

Accepted Answer

Projection

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Ingroup bias

Answer

Social facilitation

Question 4

The process of forming and identifying with groups is:

Accepted Answer

Social identity theory

Answer

Attribution theory

Answer

Cognitive dissonance theory

Answer

Heuristic processing

Question 5

Which aspect is NOT considered a key component of social cognition?

Accepted Answer

How biological factors shape social behavior

Answer

How individuals understand others' thoughts and feelings

Answer

How individuals form impressions of others

Answer

How individuals interact with others

Question 6

According to social comparison theory, with whom do individuals typically compare themselves?

Accepted Answer

Individuals who are similar to them in terms of social status and experiences

Answer

Individuals who are very different from them in terms of personality traits

Answer

Individuals who they perceive as being superior to them

Answer

Individuals who they perceive as being inferior to them

Question 7

Which technique is employed to minimize the effects of cognitive biases in decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Devil's advocacy: Encouraging critical analysis of opposing viewpoints

Answer

Groupthink: Emphasizing consensus and suppressing dissenting opinions

Answer

Consensus: Seeking agreement among group members without considering diverse perspectives

Answer

Escalation of commitment: Increasing investment in a failing course of action despite negative results

Question 8

According to social identity theory, what significantly influences an individual's self-concept?

Accepted Answer

Membership in various social groups

Answer

Unique personal experiences

Answer

Inherited genetic makeup

Answer

Cultural background and societal norms

Question 9

The tendency to attribute behavior primarily to internal factors rather than external circumstances is known as:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Actor-observer effect

Answer

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 10

Which of the following is a type of prejudice that involves negative attitudes towards individuals based on their race?

Accepted Answer

Racism

Answer

Sexism

Answer

Homophobia

Answer

Classism

Question 11

The phenomenon of adjusting one's behavior in response to perceived social pressure is termed:

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Compliance

Answer

Groupthink

Question 12

According to the fundamental attribution error, people tend to:

Accepted Answer

Overattribute the behavior of others to internal factors

Answer

Underattribute the behavior of others to external factors

Answer

Overattribute their own behavior to external factors

Answer

Underattribute their own behavior to internal factors

Question 13

The mere exposure effect refers to the finding that:

Accepted Answer

Repeated exposure to a stimulus increases our preference for it

Answer

Repeated exposure to a stimulus decreases our preference for it

Answer

Repeated exposure to a stimulus has no effect on our preference for it

Answer

Repeated exposure to a stimulus only increases our preference for it if it is a positive stimulus

Question 14

Which of the following is **not** a characteristic of stereotype threat?

Accepted Answer

It is only experienced by individuals from marginalized groups

Answer

It can impair performance on tasks that are associated with the stereotype

Answer

It is caused by being aware of negative stereotypes about one's group

Answer

It can reduce motivation to engage in challenging tasks

Question 15

According to cognitive dissonance theory, people are motivated to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce inconsistencies between their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors

Answer

Increase inconsistencies between their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors

Answer

Ignore inconsistencies between their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors

Answer

Avoid thinking about their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors

Question 16

The tendency to interpret ambiguous information in a way that confirms our expectations is known as:

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Priming

Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of the self-serving bias?

Accepted Answer

Attributing our positive outcomes to our skills and our negative outcomes to external factors

Answer

Attributing our negative outcomes to our own shortcomings and our positive outcomes to external factors

Answer

Attributing both our positive and negative outcomes to external factors

Answer

Attributing both our positive and negative outcomes to our own actions

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of prejudice?

Accepted Answer

Unchangeable

Answer

Exaggerated

Answer

Resistant to new information

Answer

Learned

Question 19

Hostile aggression refers to:

Accepted Answer

Motivated by a desire to harm others

Answer

A response to a threat

Answer

Intended to achieve a goal

Answer

A response to frustration

Question 20

How do emotions influence our thoughts and behaviors in social situations?

Accepted Answer

Emotions can motivate us to approach or avoid social situations.

Accepted Answer

Emotions can cloud our judgment and impair our ability to make rational decisions.

Answer

Emotions have no effect on our social thoughts and behaviors.

Answer

Emotions only affect our interactions with close relationships.

Question 21

The process by which we interpret others' behavior by inferring their intentions or underlying motives is termed:

Accepted Answer

Attribution

Answer

Perception

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Conformity

Question 22

The tendency to perceive members of a group as having similar characteristics, often negative ones, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Social influence

Question 23

The process through which one person's actions or beliefs influence another person's thoughts or behaviors is termed:

Accepted Answer

Social influence

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Prosocial behavior

Question 24

According to which theory do people conform to group norms primarily out of fear of negative consequences?

Accepted Answer

Normative influence theory

Answer

Informational influence theory

Answer

Elaboration likelihood model

Answer

Heuristic-systematic model

Question 25

The Milgram experiment notably demonstrated the significant power of:

Accepted Answer

Obedience

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Social influence

Answer

Aggression

Question 26

A key characteristic of prosocial behavior is:

Accepted Answer

Intended to benefit others

Answer

Voluntary

Answer

Personal gain motivation

Answer

Negative consequences

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a primary factor influencing our social perception of others?

Accepted Answer

Current weather conditions

Answer

Physical appearance

Answer

Cultural background

Answer

Personal experiences

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a scientifically supported factor that influences how we perceive others?

Accepted Answer

Astrological sign

Answer

Physical appearance

Answer

Social context

Answer

Past experiences

Question 29

Within the realm of social cognition, what is the most accurate definition of social norms?

Accepted Answer

Unwritten rules and expectations shared by group members, guiding their behavior

Answer

Cognitive biases that shape our perceptions of others

Answer

The tendency to conform our beliefs or actions to those of a group

Answer

The process of explaining our own behaviors and those of others

Question 30

In what ways do attributions influence the nature and outcomes of interpersonal relationships?

Accepted Answer

Attributions affect communication quality and trust levels in relationships.

Answer

Attributions only apply to romantic relationships.

Answer

Attributions do not impact relationship satisfaction.

Question 31

How does culture shape our understanding of others' actions?

Accepted Answer

Culture provides mental frameworks and expectations for interpreting behavior.

Accepted Answer

Culture influences our social values, guiding our preferences and attitudes.

Answer

Culture has no effect on how we understand social situations.

Question 32

How do schemas primarily function in social cognition?

Accepted Answer

They help us organize and interpret social information.

Answer

They allow us to judge others' intentions.

Answer

They enable us to predict others' behavior.

Question 33

Individuals with high self-esteem tend to:

Accepted Answer

Perceive others more positively

Answer

Be more susceptible to social influence

Answer

Have difficulty understanding social cues

Answer

Be more accurate in their judgments of others

Question 34

The process by which individuals attribute the behavior of others to internal or external causes is known as:

Accepted Answer

Attribution

Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Empathy

Question 35

Which of the following is a characteristic of effective interpersonal communication?

Accepted Answer

Active listening

Answer

Ignoring nonverbal cues

Answer

Frequent interruptions

Answer

Dominating the conversation

Question 36

Which of the following is a type of nonverbal communication?

Accepted Answer

Body language

Answer

Written communication

Answer

Verbal language

Answer

Electronic communication

Question 37

The tendency to see others in terms of stereotypes is known as:

Accepted Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Racism

Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Discrimination

Question 38

Which of the following is a factor that can reduce prejudice?

Accepted Answer

Contact with diverse groups

Answer

Negative experiences with outgroups

Answer

Increased power and status

Answer

Media exposure that reinforces stereotypes