Master Social Influence: Psychology of Conformity, Obedience, and Persuasion

Question 1

According to Milgram's obedience experiments, approximately what percentage of participants were willing to administer a lethal electric shock to another person when commanded by an authority figure?

Accepted Answer

65%

Answer

10%

Answer

30%

Answer

50%

Question 2

Persuasion techniques based on principles of classical conditioning involve pairing a neutral stimulus with a:

Accepted Answer

Reinforcing stimulus

Answer

Punishing stimulus

Answer

Neutral stimulus

Answer

Conditioned response

Question 3

Which of the following cognitive biases involves a tendency to overestimate the likelihood of events that are vivid and easy to recall?

Accepted Answer

Availability heuristic

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Hindsight bias

Answer

Framing bias

Question 4

In Asch's conformity experiments, participants were instructed to:

Accepted Answer

Judge the length of a line compared to a standard

Answer

Express their opinion on a controversial topic

Answer

Solve a complex puzzle in a group setting

Answer

Rate the attractiveness of different faces

Question 5

Which of the following persuasion techniques creates an illusion of choice by initially presenting an extreme request followed by a smaller, more acceptable one?

Accepted Answer

Door-in-the-face

Answer

Foot-in-the-door

Answer

Lowballing

Answer

Fear-mongering

Question 6

In social facilitation research, which condition has been consistently shown to enhance performance on simple tasks?

Accepted Answer

Working in front of an audience

Answer

Working alone

Answer

Working in a co-acting group

Answer

Working in a competitive environment

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT considered a core concept in the study of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Personal Responsibility

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 8

In Asch's conformity experiments, what was found to be a significant factor in reducing conformity?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a dissenting voice

Answer

The size of the majority group

Answer

The difficulty of the task

Answer

The gender of the participants

Question 9

The Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion proposes that individuals are more likely to be persuaded when they:

Accepted Answer

Are highly motivated and have the cognitive resources to process the message

Answer

Are distracted and do not pay attention to the message

Answer

Are presented with a simple and straightforward message

Answer

Experience a strong emotional connection to the message

Question 10

Social loafing refers to the phenomenon where:

Accepted Answer

Individuals tend to exert less effort when working in groups

Answer

Individuals become more creative and innovative when working in groups

Answer

Individuals are more likely to take risks when working in groups

Answer

Individuals are more efficient and productive when working in groups

Question 11

Recent research findings indicate that social media platforms potentially:

Accepted Answer

Can both amplify and mitigate social influence processes

Answer

Exclusively increase conformity and obedience

Answer

Have no significant impact on social influence processes

Answer

Solely reduce persuasion and influence

Question 12

Revised: When individuals have high motivation and cognitive ability, which route of persuasion are they more likely to be influenced by, according to the Elaboration Likelihood Model?

Accepted Answer

Revised: Central route persuasion

Answer

Revised: Peripheral route persuasion

Answer

Revised: Dual route persuasion

Question 13

Revised: The bystander effect refers to the phenomenon where:

Accepted Answer

Revised: Individuals are less likely to provide assistance in an emergency situation when others are present

Answer

Revised: Individuals tend to conform to group norms

Answer

Revised: Individuals readily obey authority figures

Question 14

Revised: Social loafing occurs when:

Accepted Answer

Revised: Individuals perceive their contributions to a group task as insignificant

Answer

Revised: Individuals are highly motivated and engaged in a group task

Answer

Revised: Individuals are under pressure to perform well on a group task

Question 15

Which of the following is a real-world example of obedience to authority?

Accepted Answer

Performing a job task despite ethical concerns

Answer

Following traffic laws

Answer

Donating to a charity

Answer

Voting in an election

Question 16

What is the key difference between conformity and obedience?

Accepted Answer

Conformity involves changing one's behavior to match group norms, while obedience involves submitting to the orders of an authority figure

Answer

Obedience involves changing one's behavior to match group norms, while conformity involves submitting to the orders of an authority figure

Answer

There is no difference between conformity and obedience

Answer

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

Question 17

Evaluate the potential advantages and disadvantages of social media's influence on individuals' beliefs and behaviors.

Accepted Answer

Advantages include increased connection, access to information, and community building.

Accepted Answer

Disadvantages include cyberbullying, privacy issues, and political polarization.

Accepted Answer

Responsible use strategies involve critical thinking, managing privacy settings, and limiting screen time.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a primary type of social influence according to the textbook?

Accepted Answer

Leadership

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Question 19

Which of the following is a central tenet of the Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion?

Accepted Answer

People are more likely to be persuaded by messages that are highly relevant to them.

Answer

People are more likely to be persuaded by messages that are presented in a simple and straightforward manner.

Answer

People are more likely to be persuaded by messages that elicit strong emotions.

Answer

People are more likely to be persuaded by messages that are delivered by a credible source.

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of obedience to authority?

Accepted Answer

Following the instructions of a police officer

Answer

Donating money to a charity

Answer

Changing one's behaviour to fit in with a group of peers

Answer

Convincing someone to change their mind

Question 21

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

Accepted Answer

Leon Festinger

Answer

Solomon Asch

Question 22

Which of the following is a key psychological mechanism that underlies social loafing?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion of responsibility

Answer

Increased self-awareness

Answer

Reduced group cohesiveness

Answer

Increased motivation

Question 23

How does culture play a role in shaping social influence processes?

Accepted Answer

Culture influences the norms and values that shape conformity, obedience, and persuasion.

Answer

Culture has no significant impact on social influence processes.

Answer

Culture inhibits social influence processes, making individuals more resistant to persuasion.

Answer

Culture promotes social influence processes, making individuals more susceptible to persuasion.

Question 24

How has the study of social influence advanced our understanding of human behavior?

Accepted Answer

Revealing the significant effects of social context on individual thoughts and actions

Answer

Demonstrating that humans are inherently rational and independent

Answer

Undermining the importance of individual agency and free will

Answer

Having no significant impact on our understanding of human behavior

Question 25

According to Asch's conformity experiment, which condition resulted in the highest rates of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Participating in a group of seven

Answer

Participating individually

Answer

Participating in a group of three

Answer

Participating in a group of fifteen

Question 26

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of minority influence?

Accepted Answer

Often involves subtle and indirect persuasion techniques

Answer

Relies solely on power and coercion

Answer

Always results in immediate and widespread change

Answer

Requires a large number of individuals to be effective

Question 27

Regarding conformity, which statement is accurate?

Accepted Answer

It can have both positive and negative social consequences

Answer

It is universally negative and harmful

Answer

It is only prevalent in collectivist cultures

Answer

It is a sign of personal weakness or inadequacy

Question 28

How has the advent of the internet and social media transformed the landscape of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Facilitated connection and interaction among like-minded individuals

Answer

Hindered the formation of meaningful relationships

Answer

Diminished the overall impact of social media on individuals

Answer

Had no significant effect on social influence dynamics

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental principle of the Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion?

Accepted Answer

Long-term memory

Answer

Attention

Answer

Comprehension

Answer

Attitude change

Question 30

Which factor has been identified as a potential mitigating factor against conformity?

Accepted Answer

High self-esteem

Answer

Larger group size

Answer

Unanimous group opinion

Answer

Cultural collectivism

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a key determinant of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Personality traits

Answer

Status of the group

Answer

Group size

Answer

Unanimity

Question 32

In Milgram's obedience experiment, what was the primary reason participants went against their consciences to obey the experimenter's instructions?

Accepted Answer

Gradual escalation of demands

Answer

The presence of other participants

Answer

The experimenter's charisma

Answer

The participant's desire to appear competent

Question 33

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, which of the following is most likely to result in a persistent attitude change?

Accepted Answer

When an individual carefully evaluates and elaborates on the information presented.

Answer

When an individual is distracted while processing the information.

Answer

When the persuasive message appeals to the individual's emotions.

Question 34

Social norms are most influential on behavior when they are:

Accepted Answer

Clear, specific, and widely endorsed.

Answer

Enforced by external punishments.

Answer

Ambiguous and subject to interpretation.

Answer

Based solely on personal values.

Question 35

Which of the following is a potential negative consequence of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Groupthink

Answer

Increased creativity

Answer

Improved decision-making

Answer

Enhanced problem-solving

Question 36

Asch's line judgment experiment was a classic demonstration of the power of:

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 37

Which of the following can enhance the effectiveness of a persuasive message?

Accepted Answer

High source credibility

Answer

Low message repetition

Answer

Targeting an unmotivated audience

Answer

Presenting the message during distractions

Question 38

A key difference between conformity and obedience is that:

Accepted Answer

Conformity involves yielding to group pressure, while obedience involves following the orders of an authority figure.

Answer

Conformity is always positive, while obedience is always negative.

Answer

Conformity only occurs in large groups, while obedience can occur in any group size.