Obedience in Social Psychology: Test Your Understanding

Question 1

Imagine a scenario where following the instructions of a person in authority goes against your personal beliefs or moral principles. Describe such a situation.

Accepted Answer

Your boss asks you to discriminate against a coworker because of their race.

Answer

Your manager wants you to work extra hours, even though you have a prior commitment.

Answer

A doctor prescribes a medication that has possible side effects that worry you.

Question 2

In social psychology, obedience refers to:

Accepted Answer

Unquestioningly following orders from an authority figure.

Answer

Conforming to social norms.

Answer

Yielding to the requests of others.

Answer

Behaving according to personal principles.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a factor that influences obedience?

Accepted Answer

Intelligence

Answer

Social pressure

Answer

Authority

Answer

Personal characteristics

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a potential danger of obedience?

Accepted Answer

Increased social harmony

Answer

Unjust laws and policies

Answer

Increased violence

Answer

Suppression of critical thinking

Question 5

How can social pressure influence obedience?

Accepted Answer

It can make it harder to resist authority figures.

Answer

It does not affect obedience.

Answer

It can make it easier to obey authority figures.

Question 6

How can education contribute to responsible obedience?

Accepted Answer

By teaching students to think critically and question authority

Answer

By teaching students that obedience is always wrong

Answer

By teaching students to always obey authority figures.

Question 7

Which of the following personality characteristics is associated with higher levels of obedience?

Accepted Answer

Authoritarian personality

Answer

Low self-esteem

Answer

Introversion

Answer

Empathy

Question 8

What is meant by the term 'situational induced loss of personal responsibility'?

Accepted Answer

The tendency to defer to authority and absolve oneself of personal accountability.

Answer

The belief that one is acting in accordance with moral principles.

Answer

The assumption that authority figures are always correct.

Question 9

Which of the following techniques can be used to reduce obedience?

Accepted Answer

Making individuals accountable for their actions

Answer

Increasing group pressure

Answer

Deindividuation

Answer

Offering external rewards

Question 10

What is a key ethical implication of studying obedience?

Accepted Answer

It highlights the importance of critical thinking and personal responsibility in preventing abuse of power.

Answer

It provides a justification for authoritarian leadership styles.

Answer

It demonstrates the inherent evil of humanity.

Question 11

Identify the main criticisms of Milgram's experiment.

Accepted Answer

Concerns about validity (e.g., demand characteristics, experimenter expectancy), ethical issues, and limited generalizability.

Answer

Lack of ecological validity and overreliance on self-report data.

Answer

Methodological flaws, cultural bias, and insufficient sample size.

Question 12

Discuss the practical applications of obedience research in real-world settings.

Accepted Answer

Informing policies and training programs to prevent abuse of authority, promoting critical thinking and ethical decision-making, and understanding the dynamics of group behavior.

Answer

Creating psychological profiles of potential criminals and terrorists.

Answer

Developing obedience-enhancing techniques for military and law enforcement.

Question 13

Which of the following is **not** a primary factor that influences obedience?

Accepted Answer

Intelligence

Answer

Authority

Answer

Social pressure

Answer

Personal characteristics

Question 14

The Milgram experiment primarily demonstrated that:

Accepted Answer

Ordinary people can commit harmful acts when ordered by an authority figure, even when it conflicts with their moral values.

Answer

People are unlikely to obey orders that violate their moral values.

Answer

Obedience is always a rational decision.

Question 15

The concept of 'agentic shift' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The tendency for people to perceive themselves as agents of an authority figure, reducing their sense of personal responsibility for their actions.

Answer

The tendency for people to obey orders only when they agree with them.

Question 16

According to social identity theory, individuals are more likely to obey orders from people they:

Accepted Answer

Identify with as part of their social group.

Answer

Fear

Answer

Respect

Answer

Like

Question 17

Which of the following is a situational factor that can influence obedience?

Accepted Answer

The presence or absence of others observing the interaction.

Answer

The weather conditions

Answer

The gender of the authority figure

Answer

The time of day

Question 18

What is the term for the phenomenon where people tend to obey orders even when they know they are wrong or harmful?

Accepted Answer

Blind obedience

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Learned helplessness

Question 19

Identify the factor that does NOT influence obedience.

Accepted Answer

Personal preferences

Answer

Authority

Answer

Personal characteristics

Answer

Social pressure

Question 20

The Milgram experiment is significant because it demonstrated that:

Accepted Answer

Even ordinary individuals can engage in harmful actions when instructed by an authoritative figure.

Answer

Obedience is always a product of rational decision-making.

Question 21

According to Stanley Milgram, the primary reason for obedience is the:

Accepted Answer

Agentic state

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Autonomous state

Question 22

Which characteristic is associated with a higher likelihood of obedience?

Accepted Answer

Low self-esteem

Answer

High intelligence

Answer

Independent thinking

Answer

Strong moral compass

Question 23

Blind obedience is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Unwavering obedience to authority, regardless of potential consequences.

Answer

Obedience driven by fear or coercion

Answer

Obedience based on logical reasoning

Question 24

Which historical event serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind obedience?

Accepted Answer

The Holocaust

Answer

The Watergate scandal

Answer

The Vietnam War

Answer

The Enron scandal

Question 25

A potential benefit of obedience is that it can:

Accepted Answer

Contribute to societal order and stability.

Answer

Always be considered morally justified.

Answer

Guarantee positive outcomes

Question 26

The ethical dilemma associated with obedience centers on the tension between:

Accepted Answer

Adhering to orders and upholding personal moral values.

Answer

Fear of punishment for disobedience

Answer

Desire for approval from authority figures

Question 27

Which of the following was a key element of Stanley Milgram's experimental design?

Accepted Answer

The learner was an actor who feigned pain.

Answer

The voltage levels were real.

Answer

The participants were randomly assigned to two groups.

Answer

The experimenter was not present during the experiment.

Question 28

According to Philip Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment, which of the following is a characteristic of individuals who are placed in positions of power?

Accepted Answer

Increased aggression and decreased empathy

Answer

Increased creativity

Answer

Heightened moral standards

Answer

Enhanced self-awareness

Question 29

Which of the following is a form of social influence that involves changing one's behavior to fit in with the group?

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Identification

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Internalization

Question 30

Which of the following concepts refers to the tendency to attribute characteristics to others based on their group membership?

Accepted Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Conformity

Question 31

Which of the following is a potential negative consequence of blind obedience?

Accepted Answer

Deindividuation and reduced moral responsibility

Answer

Improved communication

Answer

Enhanced group cohesion

Answer

Increased self-esteem

Question 32

Which of the following individuals is known for their work on the concept of cognitive dissonance?

Accepted Answer

Leon Festinger

Answer

Philip Zimbardo

Answer

Albert Bandura

Answer

Stanley Milgram

Question 33

Which of the following is a technique that can be used to reduce the likelihood of obedience?

Accepted Answer

Questioning authority and critically evaluating orders

Answer

Encouraging conformity

Answer

Increasing group size

Answer

Providing unquestioning support to authority figures

Question 34

Which of the following is a key factor influencing obedience, as identified in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Authority

Answer

Age

Answer

Intelligence

Answer

Gender

Question 35

What is a primary ethical concern raised by the Milgram experiment on obedience?

Accepted Answer

Potential for harm to participants

Answer

Lack of generalizability

Answer

Potential bias in the experimental design

Question 36

In the Hofling experiment, how did social pressure influence obedience?

Accepted Answer

Participants were more likely to obey when they believed others were also obeying.

Answer

Participants were more likely to obey when they were offered a reward.

Answer

Participants were more likely to obey when they were threatened with punishment.

Question 37

What is the psychological process known as the 'agentic shift' that can occur during obedience?

Accepted Answer

Individuals transfer responsibility for their actions to the authority figure.

Answer

Individuals become more aggressive and hostile.

Answer

Individuals experience a loss of personal identity.

Question 38

Which of the following factors can potentially reduce a person's obedience?

Accepted Answer

Having a personal connection to the person being ordered to obey

Answer

Being under significant time pressure

Answer

Being in a group of people

Answer

Being rewarded for obedience

Question 39

What is the main ethical dilemma posed by Stanley Milgram's experiments on obedience?

Accepted Answer

The potential for psychological harm to participants may outweigh the scientific value of the research.

Answer

The research findings may not be generalizable to real-world situations.

Answer

The participants were not fully informed about the risks involved.

Question 40

According to Erich Fromm's theory of authoritarianism, what is the primary motivation for obedience?

Accepted Answer

A desire to conform and avoid punishment

Answer

A strong need for power and control

Answer

A belief in the superiority of one's own group

Question 41

Which researcher is best known for their groundbreaking studies on obedience to authority?

Accepted Answer

Stanley Milgram

Answer

Solomon Asch

Answer

Philip Zimbardo

Answer

Leon Festinger

Question 42

A student is more likely to follow a teacher's instructions if the teacher is seen as:

Accepted Answer

Legitimate and knowledgeable

Answer

Friendly and approachable

Answer

Young and inexperienced

Question 43

Which psychological concept explains why people might obey orders that conflict with their personal values?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Social loafing

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Groupthink

Question 44

The agentic state theory suggests that people are more likely to obey orders when they:

Accepted Answer

View themselves as carrying out someone else's instructions

Answer

Are in a position of authority themselves

Answer

Feel personally responsible for their actions

Question 45

Which historical event is often cited as a stark example of the dangers of blind obedience to authority?

Accepted Answer

The Holocaust

Answer

The Russian Revolution

Answer

The American Revolution

Answer

The French Revolution

Question 46

What can be concluded from Milgram's variations on his original experiment?

Accepted Answer

Situational factors have a strong influence on levels of obedience.

Answer

Personality traits are the main factor in determining obedience.

Answer

Most people are naturally cruel and enjoy causing harm.

Question 47

A teacher tells a student to write an essay arguing against a viewpoint they personally agree with. The student feels uncomfortable but complies. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Obedience to authority

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Conformity to social pressure

Answer

Internalized beliefs

Question 48

Which of the following factors is typically associated with decreased obedience?

Accepted Answer

Personal responsibility for actions

Answer

Group pressure

Answer

Legitimate authority figure

Answer

Social proximity to authority

Question 49

The Milgram experiment demonstrated the powerful influence of ______ on obedience.

Accepted Answer

Authority

Answer

Emotional distress

Answer

Personal beliefs

Answer

Social norms

Question 50

In the context of obedience, 'diffusion of responsibility' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Individuals feeling less accountable for their actions when part of a group.

Answer

The spread of obedience through a social network.

Answer

The lessening of obedience due to conflicting authority figures.

Question 51

Which of these is NOT a potential consequence of blindly obeying authority figures?

Accepted Answer

Increased personal autonomy

Answer

Moral dilemmas

Answer

Ethical violations

Answer

Loss of critical thinking

Question 52

A person who refuses to follow orders from an authority figure, despite potential consequences, demonstrates:

Accepted Answer

Disobedience

Answer

Compliance

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Submissiveness

Question 53

The tendency to follow orders from a person perceived as having expertise or status is known as:

Accepted Answer

Legitimate authority

Answer

Social pressure

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Groupthink

Question 54

In the context of obedience research, 'deindividuation' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Loss of self-awareness and personal responsibility in a group setting.

Answer

The tendency to obey orders even when they conflict with personal values.

Answer

The gradual increase in obedience over time.

Question 55

The Zimbardo Stanford Prison Experiment demonstrated that:

Accepted Answer

Situational factors can strongly influence behavior and obedience.

Answer

Prison environments are inherently violent.

Answer

Individuals are inherently obedient to authority.