Social Cognition: Exploring How We Think About Others

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a key component of social cognition?

Accepted Answer

Intelligence

Answer

Attitudes

Answer

Culture

Answer

Stereotypes

Question 2

What is the tendency to attribute personal success to internal factors and failures to external factors known as?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Question 3

What is the tendency to overestimate the influence of personal factors on others' behavior and underestimate the influence of situational factors referred to as?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 4

What does the Einstellung effect refer to?

Accepted Answer

The tendency to repeat a strategy even when it's outdated

Answer

The tendency to favor new information over old information

Answer

The tendency to form relationships between unrelated events

Answer

The tendency to reject evidence that contradicts our beliefs

Question 5

What is the key difference between automatic and controlled processing?

Accepted Answer

Automatic processing requires no effort, while controlled processing demands effort

Answer

Automatic processing is conscious, while controlled processing is unconscious

Answer

Controlled processing is fast, while automatic processing is slow

Answer

Automatic processing is adaptable, while controlled processing is rigid

Question 6

What is the definition of cognitive dissonance?

Accepted Answer

A feeling of discomfort caused by holding contradictory beliefs or values.

Answer

A tendency to conform to the beliefs of the majority.

Answer

A gradual shift in attitudes over time.

Question 7

Which of these does NOT directly influence attitude formation?

Accepted Answer

Genetic predisposition

Answer

Personal experiences

Answer

Social norms

Answer

Cognitive biases

Question 8

Which of these is LEAST likely to be a major influence on how someone's attitudes develop?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Personal experiences

Answer

Social norms

Answer

Role models

Question 9

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of implicit attitudes?

Accepted Answer

They can be inconsistent with explicit attitudes.

Answer

They are easily expressed verbally.

Answer

They can be consciously controlled.

Question 10

Which of the following best defines cognitive dissonance?

Accepted Answer

A state of psychological discomfort caused by holding conflicting beliefs or values.

Answer

The tendency to conform to the beliefs and behaviors of the majority.

Answer

The gradual change in attitudes based on new information or experiences.

Question 11

Which limitation is primarily associated with using controlled experiments in social cognition research?

Accepted Answer

Reduced ecological validity due to artificial settings

Answer

High cost and time-consuming nature

Answer

Inability to fully control all confounding variables

Answer

Ethical concerns about manipulating participants

Question 12

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, which route to persuasion involves minimal cognitive effort?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral route

Answer

Central route

Answer

Heuristic route

Answer

Systematic route

Question 13

Which theory best describes the fundamental attribution error in social psychology?

Accepted Answer

Attributing others' behavior primarily to internal factors while overlooking external influences.

Answer

Attributing others' behavior primarily to external factors while overlooking internal influences.

Answer

Attributing our own behavior primarily to external factors while attributing others' behavior to internal factors.

Answer

Attributing our own behavior primarily to internal factors while attributing others' behavior to external factors.

Question 14

Which of the following theories suggests that stereotypes are formed through a process of categorization and generalization?

Accepted Answer

Self-Categorization Theory

Answer

Social Identity Theory

Answer

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Answer

Elaboration Likelihood Model

Question 15

Which social cognitive process involves changing one's own attitudes to match the attitudes of others?

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Compliance

Answer

Attribution

Answer

Social influence

Question 16

Which ethical principle in research requires that participants are fully informed about the study and its potential risks before consenting?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Debriefing

Question 17

Which emerging trend in social cognition research combines principles from social psychology and neuroscience?

Accepted Answer

Social neuroscience

Answer

Cognitive psychology

Answer

Behavioral economics

Answer

Evolutionary psychology

Question 18

Implicit biases are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Operating outside conscious awareness

Answer

Being easily modified through education

Answer

Always having a negative connotation

Answer

Being measurable through explicit attitude tests

Question 19

The just-world hypothesis predicts that individuals tend to believe that:

Accepted Answer

Good things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people

Answer

Everyone has equal opportunities to succeed in life

Answer

The universe is fundamentally random and unpredictable

Answer

Justice will always prevail

Question 20

Research suggests that one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice is through:

Accepted Answer

Increased intergroup contact and interaction

Answer

Education about the negative consequences of prejudice

Answer

Harsher punishment for prejudiced behavior

Answer

Media campaigns promoting tolerance

Question 21

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion, when an individual is motivated and has the ability to process information, they are likely to take what route to persuasion?

Accepted Answer

Central route

Answer

Peripheral route

Answer

Heuristic route

Answer

Cognitive route

Question 22

The tendency to explain our successes by internal factors and our failures by external factors is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Illusion of control

Question 23

According to social comparison theory, how do individuals shape their attitudes?

Accepted Answer

Individuals compare themselves to others to boost self-esteem and reduce uncertainty, potentially influencing their attitudes.

Answer

Individuals only compare themselves to others when competing for superiority.

Answer

Individuals always align their attitudes with the majority, regardless of their own beliefs.

Answer

Social comparison has no effect on attitude formation or change.

Question 24

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, when processing information, individuals with greater motivation and ability tend to engage in what type of processing?

Accepted Answer

Central route

Answer

Peripheral route

Answer

Heuristic route

Answer

Systematic route

Question 25

Which theory proposes that we evaluate ourselves by drawing comparisons with others?

Accepted Answer

Social comparison theory

Answer

Equity theory

Answer

Expectancy-value theory

Answer

Attribution theory

Question 26

Define conformity:

Accepted Answer

Adjusting one's behavior to match group norms

Answer

Resisting group pressure to maintain personal beliefs

Answer

Subtly influencing others to conform

Answer

Manipulating others to achieve personal goals

Question 27

Which scenario exemplifies cognitive dissonance?

Accepted Answer

A smoker acknowledging the health risks but continuing to smoke

Answer

Donating to charity due to feelings of guilt

Answer

Shifting opinions to align with group consensus

Answer

Debating with individuals holding opposing viewpoints

Question 28

The fundamental attribution error refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Reducing emphasis on situational influences while emphasizing internal characteristics

Answer

Increasing emphasis on situational influences while minimizing internal characteristics

Answer

Balancing situational and internal factors equally

Answer

Ignoring situational factors entirely

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a core topic covered in the Social Cognition unit?

Accepted Answer

Neuropsychology of social cognition

Answer

Attitude formation and shift

Answer

Stereotypes and biases

Answer

Social influence on thoughts and behaviors

Question 30

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, individuals highly motivated and able to process information thoroughly are more likely to engage in:

Accepted Answer

Central route processing

Answer

Peripheral route processing

Answer

Heuristic processing

Answer

Systematic processing

Question 31

The Asch conformity experiment primarily demonstrated the powerful influence of:

Accepted Answer

Normative social influence

Answer

Informational social influence

Answer

Minority influence

Answer

Group polarization

Question 32

The 'fundamental attribution error' refers to our tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Overestimate the impact of personal factors

Answer

Overestimate the impact of situational factors

Answer

Underestimate the impact of situational factors

Answer

Underestimate the impact of personal factors

Question 33

Cognitive dissonance refers to the uneasy state caused by holding:

Accepted Answer

Conflicting beliefs

Answer

Consistent beliefs

Answer

Positive beliefs

Answer

Negative beliefs

Question 34

The 'self-serving bias' refers to our tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Attribute positive outcomes to internal factors and negative outcomes to external factors

Answer

Attribute negative outcomes to internal factors and positive outcomes to external factors

Answer

Attribute both positive and negative outcomes to internal factors

Answer

Attribute both positive and negative outcomes to external factors

Question 35

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, when individuals are highly motivated and have the cognitive capacity to process a message, they engage in what type of processing?

Accepted Answer

Central processing

Answer

Peripheral processing

Answer

Heuristic processing

Answer

Subliminal processing

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a negative stereotype?

Accepted Answer

Positive

Answer

Inaccurate

Answer

Unchangeable

Answer

Specific

Question 37

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, which route to persuasion involves deep processing of message arguments?

Accepted Answer

Central route

Answer

Peripheral route

Answer

Emotional route

Answer

Automatic route

Question 38

What is the name of the cognitive bias that leads us to attribute others' behaviors primarily to internal factors, overlooking situational influences?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 39

What is the term for the inclination to develop positive evaluations of individuals similar to ourselves?

Accepted Answer

Similarity attraction

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Proximity attraction

Question 40

In what way do cultural factors shape our attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices?

Accepted Answer

Culture provides a framework for interpreting social interactions and information

Answer

Culture has a minimal impact on our social cognition

Answer

Culture solely influences our attitudes

Answer

Culture is only relevant in non-Western cultures

Question 41

Which of the following factors does NOT influence attitude formation?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Personal experiences

Answer

Social modeling

Answer

Cultural norms

Question 42

The process of simplifying and categorizing people into groups is termed:

Accepted Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Profiling

Answer

Prejudging

Answer

Generalizing

Question 43

Which theory suggests that we tend to attribute our own behavior to external causes, while attributing others' behavior to internal causes?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Self-serving bias

Question 44

The tendency to view ourselves and others in a more positive light is known as:

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Social identity bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Question 45

Which theory posits that our group memberships shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Social identity theory

Answer

Social exchange theory

Answer

Attribution theory

Question 46

The phenomenon where individuals conform to group standards to avoid disapproval is termed:

Accepted Answer

Normative social influence

Answer

Social identity theory

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Informational social influence

Question 47

Which type of prejudice involves negative attitudes and beliefs held consciously and openly expressed?

Accepted Answer

Explicit prejudice

Answer

Implicit prejudice

Answer

Aversive racism

Answer

Symbolic racism

Question 48

Prejudice that is unconsciously held and automatically activated is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Implicit prejudice

Answer

Explicit prejudice

Answer

Symbolic racism

Answer

Aversive racism

Question 49

Which intervention has been found to be effective in reducing prejudice?

Accepted Answer

Contact hypothesis

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Social identity theory

Answer

Stereotype threat

Question 50

The belief that one's own cultural group is superior to others is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism

Answer

Prejudice

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Discrimination