Social Cognition Quizzes: Test Your Understanding of Human Interactions

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Internal locus of control

Answer

Schema

Answer

Heuristics

Answer

Social categorization

Question 2

The tendency to attribute others' actions primarily to internal factors, such as personality or intent, rather than situational influences, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Self-enhancement bias

Question 3

Which type of stereotype arises from limited exposure or knowledge about a particular group, leading to the assumption that all members are identical?

Accepted Answer

Outgroup homogeneity effect

Answer

In-group bias

Answer

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Answer

Prejudice

Question 4

The process of organizing individuals into social groups based on shared characteristics is known as:

Accepted Answer

Social categorization

Answer

Social comparison

Answer

Social facilitation

Answer

Impression formation

Question 5

Which of the following describes a cognitive shortcut used in social cognition, where the ease of retrieving information from memory influences our judgments?

Accepted Answer

Availability heuristic

Answer

Representativeness heuristic

Answer

Anchoring effect

Answer

Framing effect

Question 6

Which of the following is a strategy that can be effective in reducing the influence of stereotypes?

Accepted Answer

Increased intergroup contact, providing opportunities for individuals to interact and challenge stereotypes

Answer

Cognitive dissonance, creating a state of psychological discomfort that motivates individuals to reduce inconsistencies

Answer

Social identity theory, emphasizing the role of group membership in shaping perceptions

Answer

Priming, activating specific concepts or stereotypes in memory, making them more accessible and potentially influencing judgments

Question 7

The tendency to attribute our own successes to internal factors, such as ability or effort, while attributing our failures to external factors, such as bad luck or difficulty of the task, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Halo effect

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences stereotyping?

Accepted Answer

Genetic predisposition

Answer

Media representations

Answer

Cognitive biases

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Question 9

According to social identity theory, individuals derive part of their self-concept from which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The groups they belong to

Answer

Their social status

Answer

Their personal experiences

Answer

Their cultural heritage

Question 10

Which type of attribution error occurs when we attribute our successes to internal factors and our failures to external factors?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Actor-observer bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 11

Stereotypes are:

Accepted Answer

Fixed beliefs about groups of people that may or may not be accurate

Answer

Accurate and objective representations of reality

Answer

Based solely on personal experiences

Answer

Beneficial for social cohesion

Question 12

The process of forming an overall impression of a person based on limited information is known as:

Accepted Answer

Person perception

Answer

Chunking

Answer

Priming

Answer

Social comparison

Question 13

The tendency to seek information that confirms our existing beliefs is called:

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Answer

Illusory correlation

Answer

Salience bias

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of stereotype threat?

Accepted Answer

Feeling anxious about confirming negative stereotypes about one's group

Answer

Fearing judgment from others

Answer

Experiencing discrimination

Answer

Being afraid of failure

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a stage in the fundamental attribution error?

Accepted Answer

Overestimating the influence of external factors

Answer

Attributing behavior to internal factors

Answer

Ignoring situational factors

Question 16

Which characteristic of schemas is most important in social cognition?

Accepted Answer

They organize and interpret information

Answer

They are based on stereotypes

Answer

They can be both positive and negative

Question 17

Which defense mechanism involves blaming others for our own negative actions?

Accepted Answer

Projection

Answer

Sublimation

Answer

Rationalization

Answer

Displacement

Question 18

Which aspect of self-concept, according to social identity theory, is heavily influenced by group membership?

Accepted Answer

Role within a social group

Answer

Unique personality traits

Answer

Physical appearance

Answer

Social status

Question 19

What is the primary function of the actor-observer bias?

Accepted Answer

Protecting self-concept

Answer

Maintaining positive relationships

Answer

Simplifying social interactions

Answer

Avoiding cognitive dissonance

Question 20

Which research method involves manipulating variables to test a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Experimental method

Answer

Naturalistic observation

Answer

Interviewing

Answer

Archival analysis

Question 21

How do cognitive biases impact our social interactions?

Accepted Answer

Misinterpretations and misunderstandings in communication

Answer

Enhanced empathy and improved understanding of others

Answer

Simplified decision-making and efficient problem-solving

Answer

Reduced prejudice and diminished discrimination

Question 22

Which of the following is not central to the study of social cognition?

Accepted Answer

Verbal comprehension

Answer

Social perception

Answer

Attribution of behavior

Answer

Stereotyping

Question 23

The process of drawing conclusions about the underlying reasons for others' actions is known as:

Accepted Answer

Attribution

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Social perception

Answer

Impression formation

Question 24

The tendency to associate positive traits with physically attractive individuals is an example of the:

Accepted Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Pygmalion effect

Answer

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 25

The process of forming mental representations of others and using them to guide social interactions is called:

Accepted Answer

Impression formation

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Social attribution

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Question 26

Inaccurate and negatively biased preconceived notions about a particular group of people are known as:

Accepted Answer

Stereotypes

Answer

Prejudices

Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Social categorization

Question 27

According to the fundamental attribution error, people tend to:

Accepted Answer

Overestimate the influence of external factors on others' behavior.

Answer

Underestimate the influence of internal factors on their own behavior.

Question 28

Which of the following is an example of a bottom-up processing approach in social perception?

Accepted Answer

Focusing on individual cues and then integrating them into a holistic impression.

Answer

Interpreting a social situation based on past experiences.

Answer

Making inferences about others based on their social group membership.

Question 29

According to social identity theory, individuals define their self-concept primarily in terms of:

Accepted Answer

Their membership in various social groups.

Answer

Their unique personal attributes.

Question 30

How does the confirmation bias manifest in social interaction?

Accepted Answer

It leads individuals to seek out information that supports their existing beliefs.

Answer

It makes people more likely to change their minds when presented with new evidence.

Answer

It prevents individuals from considering alternative perspectives.

Question 31

What is the primary purpose of heuristics in social cognition?

Accepted Answer

To simplify complex judgments and decision-making.

Answer

To ensure the accuracy of social perceptions.

Answer

To prevent biases from influencing our thinking.

Question 32

The ability to understand and make inferences about the mental states of others is known as:

Accepted Answer

Theory of mind

Answer

Empathy

Answer

Attribution

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Question 33

Which of the following is a negative consequence of stereotyping?

Accepted Answer

Discrimination

Answer

Increased social harmony

Answer

Improved decision-making

Answer

Enhanced self-awareness

Question 34

The tendency to seek out information that supports our existing beliefs is known as:

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Question 35

Which of the following techniques can help reduce the influence of stereotypes in social interaction?

Accepted Answer

Counter-stereotypic exemplars

Answer

Subliminal messaging

Answer

Cognitive distraction

Answer

Affirmations

Question 36

The process by which we classify individuals into social groups based on shared characteristics is known as:

Accepted Answer

Social categorization

Answer

Self-concept

Answer

Social comparison

Answer

Social identity

Question 37

The tendency to interpret ambiguous behaviors as having negative or harmful intent is known as:

Accepted Answer

Negative bias

Answer

Optimism bias

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Pessimism bias