PSYC 101 Exam 4 V1 | PSYC 101 General
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(PSYC101 Exam 4) | Portage Learning
1. When explaining the behavior of others, which phenomenon describes our tendency to
overestimate internal personality traits and underestimate the impact of the situation?
A. Cognitive Dissonance
B. Self-Serving Bias
C. Fundamental Attribution Error
D. Social Facilitation
Correct Answer: C
The fundamental attribution error represents a common cognitive bias in social judgment.
It leads observers to assume a person’s actions reflect their character rather than external
pressures. This concept is central to understanding how we perceive and misinterpret
social interactions.
2. Based on the classic social psychology studies conducted by Solomon Asch, which of the
following conditions are likely to increase the probability that an individual will conform to a
group’s judgment? (Select all that apply)
A. The person feels incompetent or insecure
B. The group contains at least three members
,C. The group is unanimous in its decision
D. The individual has made a prior commitment to a specific response
E. The individual admires the group’s status or attractiveness
F. The individual is being observed by others in the group
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E, F
Asch’s experiments identified several variables that significantly impact conformity rates.
Pressure increases when the group is larger, unanimous, or holds high social status for the
individual. Conversely, having even one dissenter or making a private commitment can
drastically reduce conformity.
3. In Stanley Milgram’s famous obedience experiments, which factor was found to most
significantly decrease the level of obedience exhibited by the ‘teacher’?
A. The experimenter left the room and gave instructions over the telephone
B. The experiment was moved from Yale to a rundown office building
C. The ‘learner’ complained of a heart condition
D. The ‘teacher’ was a woman rather than a man
Correct Answer: A
Physical proximity to the authority figure was a crucial variable in Milgram’s findings.
When the experimenter was not physically present, the perceived pressure to obey
, diminished significantly. This suggests that the perceived presence and surveillance of
authority drive high levels of compliance.
4. Which social phenomenon explains why individuals tend to exert less effort when working
in a group compared to when they are individually accountable?
A. Social Facilitation
B. Social Loafing
C. Deindividuation
D. Group Polarization
Correct Answer: B
Social loafing occurs when the presence of others allows an individual to feel less
personally responsible for the outcome. This reduction in effort is most common when
individual contributions are not being specifically measured. Managers often counter this
by assigning specific tasks to every group member.
5. According to Cognitive Dissonance Theory, what is the primary motivation for changing
one’s attitudes or behaviors?
A. The desire to gain social approval from peers
B. The discomfort felt when two thoughts or a thought and an action are inconsistent
C. The need to follow instructions from an authority figure
D. The instinctual drive to satisfy biological needs
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(PSYC101 Exam 4) | Portage Learning
1. When explaining the behavior of others, which phenomenon describes our tendency to
overestimate internal personality traits and underestimate the impact of the situation?
A. Cognitive Dissonance
B. Self-Serving Bias
C. Fundamental Attribution Error
D. Social Facilitation
Correct Answer: C
The fundamental attribution error represents a common cognitive bias in social judgment.
It leads observers to assume a person’s actions reflect their character rather than external
pressures. This concept is central to understanding how we perceive and misinterpret
social interactions.
2. Based on the classic social psychology studies conducted by Solomon Asch, which of the
following conditions are likely to increase the probability that an individual will conform to a
group’s judgment? (Select all that apply)
A. The person feels incompetent or insecure
B. The group contains at least three members
,C. The group is unanimous in its decision
D. The individual has made a prior commitment to a specific response
E. The individual admires the group’s status or attractiveness
F. The individual is being observed by others in the group
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E, F
Asch’s experiments identified several variables that significantly impact conformity rates.
Pressure increases when the group is larger, unanimous, or holds high social status for the
individual. Conversely, having even one dissenter or making a private commitment can
drastically reduce conformity.
3. In Stanley Milgram’s famous obedience experiments, which factor was found to most
significantly decrease the level of obedience exhibited by the ‘teacher’?
A. The experimenter left the room and gave instructions over the telephone
B. The experiment was moved from Yale to a rundown office building
C. The ‘learner’ complained of a heart condition
D. The ‘teacher’ was a woman rather than a man
Correct Answer: A
Physical proximity to the authority figure was a crucial variable in Milgram’s findings.
When the experimenter was not physically present, the perceived pressure to obey
, diminished significantly. This suggests that the perceived presence and surveillance of
authority drive high levels of compliance.
4. Which social phenomenon explains why individuals tend to exert less effort when working
in a group compared to when they are individually accountable?
A. Social Facilitation
B. Social Loafing
C. Deindividuation
D. Group Polarization
Correct Answer: B
Social loafing occurs when the presence of others allows an individual to feel less
personally responsible for the outcome. This reduction in effort is most common when
individual contributions are not being specifically measured. Managers often counter this
by assigning specific tasks to every group member.
5. According to Cognitive Dissonance Theory, what is the primary motivation for changing
one’s attitudes or behaviors?
A. The desire to gain social approval from peers
B. The discomfort felt when two thoughts or a thought and an action are inconsistent
C. The need to follow instructions from an authority figure
D. The instinctual drive to satisfy biological needs
