Social Influence: Understanding How Others Shape Our Thoughts and Actions

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a key factor influencing conformity?

Accepted Answer

Self-confidence

Answer

Group size

Answer

Social comparison

Answer

Clarity of group norms

Question 2

Which persuasion technique involves presenting both sides of an argument but emphasizing the preferred position?

Accepted Answer

Two-sided message

Answer

Foot-in-the-door technique

Answer

Door-in-the-face technique

Answer

Low-ball technique

Question 3

In the context of social influence, which term describes the process of adopting the beliefs and behaviors of others?

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Answer

Socialization

Question 4

Which of the following is a characteristic of a group with high conformity pressure?

Accepted Answer

Strong group identity

Answer

Weak group norms

Answer

Low social pressure

Answer

Ambiguous situations

Question 5

According to social identity theory, individuals define their self-concept by identifying with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Social groups

Answer

Personal traits

Answer

Cultural values

Answer

Occupational roles

Question 6

In the context of persuasion, which strategy involves making an initial, large request to make a subsequent, smaller request seem more reasonable?

Accepted Answer

Door-in-the-face technique

Answer

Foot-in-the-door technique

Answer

Low-ball technique

Answer

High-ball technique

Question 7

Which factor is most influential in an individual's decision to conform to a group?

Accepted Answer

The unanimity of the group

Answer

The size of the group

Answer

The status of the group members

Answer

The potential for punishment

Question 8

The Milgram experiment showcased the power of which type of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Obedience

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Persuasion

Answer

Attribution

Question 9

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, which principle is crucial for persuasion?

Accepted Answer

Messages that connect with an individual's beliefs are more persuasive.

Answer

Messages that are simple and uncomplicated are more persuasive.

Answer

Messages from a credible source are more persuasive.

Answer

Messages that use fear-based appeals are more persuasive.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a hindrance to effective communication?

Accepted Answer

Active listening

Answer

Lack of trust

Answer

Cultural disparities

Answer

Ambiguous messages

Question 11

What phenomenon, commonly studied in social psychology, is known as the 'bystander effect'?

Accepted Answer

The likelihood of individuals providing assistance decreases as the number of bystanders increases.

Answer

The tendency for individuals to conform to group norms.

Answer

The tendency for individuals to overestimate their own capabilities.

Answer

The tendency for individuals to underestimate the impact of others' behavior on their own.

Question 12

Which factor, related to an individual's disposition, can influence susceptibility to social influence?

Accepted Answer

Self-esteem

Answer

Group size

Answer

Cultural norms

Answer

External circumstances

Question 13

How do cultural norms and values affect the effectiveness of different social influence techniques across various societies?

Accepted Answer

Cultural norms and values influence the effectiveness of social influence techniques in different societies.

Answer

Cultural norms and values have no impact on social influence.

Answer

Cultural norms and values make individuals more resistant to social influence.

Question 14

Which factor is most likely to weaken the impact of social influence techniques in advertising and marketing?

Accepted Answer

Providing choice and control

Answer

A persuasive argument

Answer

Humor

Answer

Appealing to values and beliefs

Question 15

Which of the following is a technique of persuasion that involves changing attitudes through positive reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement

Answer

Fear-mongering

Answer

Social proof

Answer

Reciprocity

Question 16

Which of the following is a key difference between conformity and obedience?

Accepted Answer

Conformity occurs in response to group pressure, while obedience occurs in response to authority.

Answer

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

Answer

Conformity is more likely to occur in ambiguous situations, while obedience is more likely to occur in clear-cut situations.

Answer

Conformity is a voluntary process, while obedience is an involuntary process.

Question 17

Which persuasion technique involves presenting both sides of an argument and then refuting the opposing views?

Accepted Answer

Two-sided message

Answer

Foot-in-the-door technique

Answer

Low-ball technique

Answer

Reciprocity principle

Question 18

Cognitive dissonance theory proposes that individuals experience discomfort when their:

Accepted Answer

Beliefs and actions are inconsistent.

Answer

Beliefs and actions align.

Answer

Actions are consistent with their values.

Answer

Beliefs are challenged by new information.

Question 19

Normative social influence is characterized by individuals conforming to group norms primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Obtain group approval and avoid rejection.

Answer

Acquire information about appropriate behavior.

Answer

Resolve cognitive dissonance.

Answer

Achieve personal goals.

Question 20

In the context of social influence, social loafing refers to the tendency of:

Accepted Answer

Exerting less effort when working in groups.

Answer

Conforming to group norms even when disagreeing.

Answer

Becoming more persuasive in group settings.

Answer

Experiencing discomfort due to inconsistent beliefs and actions.

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to conformity?

Accepted Answer

High self-esteem

Answer

Unanimity

Answer

Ambiguity

Answer

Group size

Question 22

Which of the following is a technique used in persuasion to appeal to emotions?

Accepted Answer

Emotional appeal

Answer

Celebrity endorsement

Answer

Limited-time offer

Question 23

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, which route to persuasion involves minimal cognitive effort and relies heavily on cues such as attractiveness?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral route

Answer

Heuristic route

Answer

Systematic route

Answer

Central route

Question 24

Which of the following is a norm that describes what individuals typically do in specific situations?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive norm

Answer

Injunctive norm

Answer

Cultural norm

Answer

Subjective norm

Question 25

What is the term for the tendency to suppress or ignore dissenting opinions within a group?

Accepted Answer

Groupthink

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 26

Which of the following is a characteristic of individuals with a high need for social approval?

Accepted Answer

Concern about the opinions of others

Answer

High self-confidence

Answer

Skepticism

Answer

Tolerance of ambiguity

Question 27

What is the primary focus of social impact theory?

Accepted Answer

The number, strength, and immediacy of sources of social influence

Answer

Elaboration and persuasion

Answer

Cognitive dissonance and attitude change

Question 28

Which of the following terms refers to the tendency to align one's behavior with the actions of others, even when it conflicts with personal beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Groupthink

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 29

In the well-known Milgram experiment, participants were compelled to administer electric shocks to others despite their reluctance due to the influence of:

Accepted Answer

Authority

Answer

Emotional appeals

Answer

Social rewards

Answer

Peer pressure

Question 30

Which persuasion technique aims to evoke emotions and create positive associations with a product or message?

Accepted Answer

Emotional appeal

Answer

Scarcity

Answer

Logical argument

Answer

Social proof

Question 31

The gradual process by which individuals adopt and internalize societal norms and values as their own is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Socialization

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Enculturation

Answer

Acculturation

Question 32

The term that encompasses the modification of behavior in response to actual or perceived pressure from others is:

Accepted Answer

Social influence

Answer

Peer pressure

Answer

Compliance

Answer

Obedience

Question 33

Which of the following is considered an advantage of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Enhances social cohesion and coordination

Answer

Limits individual autonomy

Answer

Suppresses critical thinking

Answer

Perpetuates negative behaviors

Question 34

In the classic Asch conformity experiments, participants were asked to compare the lengths of line segments and:

Accepted Answer

Conformed to the incorrect majority's judgment even when their own perception differed

Answer

Only conformed when they were unsure of the correct answer

Answer

Resisted conforming when they were confident in their own judgment

Question 35

When conducting research on social influence, which ethical consideration is of utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining informed consent and minimizing potential harm to participants

Answer

Protecting participants' self-esteem

Answer

Ensuring anonymity and confidentiality

Answer

Avoiding the use of deception

Question 36

**Precise Definition of Social Influence**

Which of the following statements most accurately defines social influence?

Accepted Answer

A change in an individual's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors as a result of the presence or actions of other individuals.

Answer

A change in society's norms and values over time.

Question 37

**Excluding a Type of Social Influence**

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary type of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Resistance

Answer

Persuasion

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Question 38

**Example of Persuasive Communication**

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies persuasive communication?

Accepted Answer

A commercial on television that uses emotional appeals and celebrity endorsements to convince viewers to purchase a product.

Answer

A news report that presents facts and data about a current event.

Question 39

**Defense Against Social Influence**

Which of the following is a personal attribute that can act as a buffer against social influence?

Accepted Answer

Self-efficacy: the belief in one's abilities to successfully accomplish a task or resist external pressures.

Answer

Cognitive dissonance: the uncomfortable feeling that arises when one holds two conflicting beliefs.

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT a determinant of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Power structure

Answer

Group size

Answer

Culture

Question 41

Conformity is a type of social influence that occurs when:

Accepted Answer

An individual changes their behavior to align with the group.

Answer

An individual obeys an authority figure.

Answer

An individual's behavior is reinforced by the group.

Question 42

Which of the following is a key factor in Milgram's obedience study?

Accepted Answer

The presence of an authority figure.

Answer

The size of the group.

Answer

The rewards offered for compliance.

Answer

The personal beliefs of the participants.

Question 43

According to social identity theory, an individual's self-concept is influenced by:

Accepted Answer

Their membership in social groups.

Answer

The expectations of others.

Answer

Their personal experiences and achievements.

Answer

Their genetic makeup.

Question 44

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological discomfort that arises when:

Accepted Answer

An individual holds two conflicting beliefs.

Answer

An individual conforms to group norms.

Answer

An individual is influenced by social pressure.

Answer

An individual is persuaded by a message.

Question 45

Which of the following is a negative consequence of social influence on individual autonomy?

Accepted Answer

Suppressing personal beliefs.

Answer

Facilitating decision-making.

Answer

Enhancing interpersonal relationships.

Answer

Promoting social cohesion.

Question 46

Social influence can be used for both positive and negative purposes. Which of the following is an example of positive social influence?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging healthy behaviors.

Answer

Promoting hate speech.

Answer

Manipulating people's beliefs for personal gain.

Answer

Pressuring individuals to engage in risky activities.

Question 47

How can individuals resist social influence?

Accepted Answer

By developing critical thinking skills and self-awareness.

Answer

By avoiding social interactions altogether.

Answer

By conforming to group norms without question.