Social Influence: Conformity, Obedience, and Persuasion

Question 1

Which theory explains how cognitive dissonance motivates individuals to change their behavior or beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance

Answer

Social identity theory

Answer

Social exchange theory

Answer

Attribution theory

Question 2

According to the social identity theory, how does an individual's self-esteem influence their behavior in a group?

Accepted Answer

Individuals strive to maintain a positive self-concept

Answer

Individuals conform more to group norms when their self-esteem is low

Answer

Individuals are more likely to engage in prosocial behavior when their self-esteem is high

Answer

Self-esteem is not a relevant factor in social identity theory

Question 3

Which persuasive technique relies on emotional appeals to influence attitudes?

Accepted Answer

Fear appeal

Answer

Logical reasoning

Answer

Social proof

Answer

Cognitive processing

Question 4

In Asch's conformity experiments, which condition resulted in the highest rates of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Large group size with unanimous members

Answer

Small group size with divided members

Answer

Participant with high self-esteem

Answer

Participant with low self-esteem

Question 5

The Milgram experiment demonstrated the willingness of individuals to comply with authority figures, even when it conflicts with their own moral values. Which key factor explains this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Agentic shift

Answer

Diffusion of responsibility

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Bystander effect

Question 6

The bystander effect refers to the tendency of:

Accepted Answer

Individuals remaining passive in emergencies due to the presence of others

Answer

Individuals being more helpful in emergencies with fewer people present

Answer

Individuals being less helpful in emergencies with more people present

Answer

Individuals taking leadership roles in emergencies

Question 7

The Asch conformity experiment demonstrated that:

Accepted Answer

Group pressure can influence individuals to align their opinions with the group

Answer

People are inherently resistant to conforming

Answer

People conform more in private than in public

Answer

Conformity is solely dependent on the number of people in the group

Question 8

The foot-in-the-door technique is a persuasion tactic that involves:

Accepted Answer

Making a small request first, followed by a larger one

Answer

Making a large request first, followed by a smaller one

Answer

Repeating the same message multiple times

Answer

Using strong arguments to support a claim

Question 9

According to Asch's experiments, which key factor significantly influences the likelihood of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Unanimity of the group

Answer

Size of the group

Answer

Personality of the individual

Answer

Status of the group members

Question 10

In Milgram's obedience experiments, what was the primary factor that motivated participants to obey the experimenter's commands?

Accepted Answer

Sense of authority

Answer

Fear of punishment

Answer

Desire for reward

Answer

Personal beliefs

Question 11

Which persuasion technique involves using subtle cues or triggers to influence behavior without conscious awareness?

Accepted Answer

Classical conditioning

Answer

Reciprocity

Answer

Scarcity

Answer

Foot-in-the-door

Question 12

What is the central role of cognitive dissonance in social influence?

Accepted Answer

It motivates individuals to reduce inconsistencies between their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.

Answer

It strengthens the power of social norms and group pressure.

Answer

It increases the likelihood of conformity and obedience.

Answer

It reduces the effectiveness of persuasive messages.

Question 13

Which of the following is a key characteristic of the bystander effect?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion of responsibility among witnesses

Answer

Increased intervention likelihood with a larger group of witnesses

Answer

Heightened emotional distress experienced by witnesses

Answer

Reduced perception of an emergency situation

Question 14

In the context of social influence, how does culture play a significant role?

Accepted Answer

It shapes social norms, values, and beliefs that influence individual behaviors.

Answer

It has no significant impact on social influence processes.

Answer

It makes individuals more resistant to persuasion and conformity.

Answer

It reduces the effectiveness of obedience-inducing tactics.

Question 15

What is a key distinction between conformity and obedience in terms of their underlying motivations?

Accepted Answer

Conformity is driven by a desire to fit in, while obedience is driven by a fear of authority.

Answer

Conformity involves changing one's behavior, while obedience involves changing one's beliefs.

Answer

Conformity is more common in public situations, while obedience is more common in private situations.

Answer

Obedience requires a greater degree of internal conflict and resistance.

Question 16

How does social influence impact group decision-making?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to groupthink and biased outcomes.

Answer

It can facilitate more efficient and informed decisions.

Answer

It has no significant effect on group decision-making processes.

Answer

It always results in superior decision quality.

Question 17

Which of the following factors does NOT positively influence conformity?

Accepted Answer

High self-esteem

Answer

Group size

Answer

Group unanimity

Answer

Cultural norms

Question 18

Which of the following persuasion techniques involves using emotional appeals to influence attitudes and behaviours?

Accepted Answer

Emotional appeals

Answer

Foot-in-the-door technique

Answer

Lowball technique

Answer

Reciprocity norm

Question 19

What is the term for the tendency to adopt the beliefs and attitudes of others to fit in?

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Answer

Groupthink

Question 20

The tendency to attribute the behaviour of others to their personality rather than situational factors is known as:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 21

Which of the following is an example of a **peripheral cue** in persuasion?

Accepted Answer

Attractiveness of the speaker

Answer

Expert testimony

Answer

Strength of the argument

Answer

Trustworthiness of the source

Question 22

According to **Social Identity Theory**, individuals who strongly identify with a group are more likely to:

Accepted Answer

Adhere to group norms

Answer

Differentiate themselves from other groups

Answer

Challenge the group's authority

Answer

Withdraw from the group

Question 23

In a study on bystander intervention, researchers discovered that as the **number of witnesses** to an emergency increases, the:

Accepted Answer

Less likely they are to intervene

Answer

More likely they are to intervene

Answer

More likely they are to call the authorities

Answer

Less likely they are to call the authorities

Question 24

Which of the following is a **cognitive mechanism** underlying persuasion?

Accepted Answer

Schema activation

Answer

Attitude change

Answer

Social comparison

Answer

Conformity

Question 25

Conformity, as a form of social influence, involves:

Accepted Answer

Adjusting one's behavior to align with the majority.

Answer

Resisting pressure to adopt group norms.

Answer

Exerting influence on others to adopt one's beliefs.

Question 26

In cognitive dissonance theory, beliefs that conflict with one's actions are termed:

Accepted Answer

Dissonance

Answer

Compliance

Answer

Reactance

Answer

Consonance

Question 27

To enhance the effectiveness of persuasive messages, it is important to:

Accepted Answer

Establish high credibility for the source.

Answer

Avoid providing supporting evidence.

Answer

Present complex and technical content.

Answer

Use a low-credibility source.

Question 28

Which famous experiment demonstrated the power of obedience to authority?

Accepted Answer

Milgram's Obedience Experiment

Answer

Asch's Conformity Experiment

Answer

Sherif's Autokinetic Effect Experiment

Answer

Zimbardo's Prison Experiment

Question 29

In social loafing situations, the primary factor contributing to reduced effort is:

Accepted Answer

Perceived anonymity within the group.

Answer

Increased motivation to compensate for others.

Answer

Sabotage with the intent to hinder group performance.

Question 30

A potential negative consequence of excessive social influence is:

Accepted Answer

Suppression of critical thinking and personal autonomy.

Answer

Enhanced innovation and creativity.

Answer

Increased social cohesion and cooperation.

Question 31

Social influence can be harnessed for positive social change through:

Accepted Answer

Utilizing persuasive messages to encourage desired behaviors.

Answer

Eliminating all social influence to promote individualism.

Answer

Using coercion to enforce societal norms.

Question 32

Which of the following is a persuasion technique that relies on establishing a connection with the audience?

Accepted Answer

Liking, as people are more likely to be persuaded by those they like or feel a connection with

Answer

Urgency, as creating a sense of urgency can motivate people to act

Answer

Reciprocity, as people feel obligated to return favors or gifts

Answer

Expertise, as people tend to trust and follow the advice of experts

Question 33

Which of the following factors can increase the persuasiveness of a message?

Accepted Answer

Strong arguments and a credible source, as both logical reasoning and source credibility enhance message effectiveness

Answer

Repetition of the message multiple times, as this can lead to habituation and reduced impact

Answer

Emotional appeals and fear-inducing imagery, as these can distract from the message's content and undermine persuasion

Answer

Use of jargon and technical language, as this can make the message difficult to understand and less persuasive

Question 34

Social influence can have both positive and negative effects on society. Which of the following is an example of a positive effect?

Accepted Answer

Promoting cooperation and collective action, as social influence can motivate people to work together towards common goals

Answer

Increasing prejudice and discrimination, as social influence can reinforce negative stereotypes and bias

Answer

Undermining individual autonomy and creativity, as social pressure can suppress independent thinking and innovation

Answer

Creating groupthink and inhibiting critical thinking, as social pressure can discourage dissenting opinions and lead to flawed decision-making

Question 35

Which of these is NOT a factor that influences conformity, according to social psychology research?

Accepted Answer

Individual's level of extroversion

Answer

Unanimity of the group

Answer

Status of the group members

Answer

Group size

Question 36

The Milgram experiment showed that:

Accepted Answer

People are more likely to obey authority figures, even if it means harming others.

Answer

Individuals are more likely to conform to the opinions of their peers.

Answer

Conformity is a stronger force than obedience.

Question 37

The 'central route' to persuasion relies on:

Accepted Answer

Carefully considering the message and its arguments.

Answer

The perceived credibility of the source.

Answer

Emotional appeals and shortcuts.

Question 38

A student who starts smoking because all their friends do is demonstrating:

Accepted Answer

Normative Social Influence

Answer

Informational Social Influence

Answer

Obedience to Authority

Answer

Social Loafing

Question 39

Which of these is NOT a key factor in understanding minority influence?

Accepted Answer

The size of the majority group

Answer

The perceived competence of the minority

Answer

Flexibility of the minority's position

Answer

Consistency of the minority's message

Question 40

A salesperson using a 'limited-time offer' strategy is attempting to influence customers through:

Accepted Answer

Scarcity

Answer

Authority

Answer

Reciprocity