PSI-101 MIDTERM PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS 2026
◉ Self-Fulfilling Prophecy.
Answer: An expectation that helps bring about the outcome that is
expected.
◉ Attribution.
Answer: Explanations of behavior by assigning dispositional
(internal) or situational (external) causes.
◉ Fundamental Attribution Error.
Answer: Tendency to overattribute others' behavior to internal
causes and ignore situational factors.
◉ Actor-Observer Effect.
Answer: Tendency to attribute our own behavior to situations but
others' behavior to dispositions.
◉ Self-Serving Bias.
Answer: Tendency to take credit for successes and blame failures on
external factors; boosts self-esteem.
,◉ Attitude.
Answer: An evaluation of liking or disliking a person, object, or
issue; includes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components.
◉ Cognitive Dissonance.
Answer: Emotional discomfort caused by inconsistencies between
attitudes and behavior, motivating change.
◉ Cialdini's Levers of Influence.
Answer: Social influence techniques that operate automatically and
can produce large behavioral outcomes.
◉ Affiliation.
Answer: Connecting or belonging to a group; sharing interests,
identity, and concerns.
◉ Attraction.
Answer: Feelings of liking and positive thoughts/behaviors toward
others; influenced by similarity, proximity, reciprocity, and physical
attractiveness.
◉ Similarity Principle.
,Answer: We are attracted to people with similar values and attitudes
because they validate our self-concept.
◉ Proximity.
Answer: Physical closeness increases interaction and attraction; can
also increase dislike.
◉ Reciprocity.
Answer: We tend to like people who like us back; we respond in kind
to compliments and favors.
◉ Physical Attractiveness.
Answer: A key factor in interpersonal and romantic attraction;
includes halo effects.
◉ Triangular Model of Love.
Answer: Love consists of intimacy, passion, and
decision/commitment; different combinations create different types
of love.
◉ Prosocial Behavior.
Answer: Behavior beneficial to others; includes helping motivated
by altruistic or self-centered motives.
, ◉ Bystander Effect.
Answer: People are less likely to help when others are present due
to diffusion of responsibility.
◉ Prejudice.
Answer: Unfavorable attitude toward a group; includes cognitive
(stereotypes), emotional (dislike), and behavioral (discrimination)
components.
◉ In-Group Favoritism.
Answer: Attributing more positive characteristics to one's own
group.
◉ Out-Group Negativism.
Answer: Attributing more negative characteristics to out-groups.
◉ Out-Group Homogeneity.
Answer: Perceiving members of other groups as more alike than
members of one's own group.
◉ Contact Hypothesis.
Answer: Intergroup contact reduces prejudice when supported
socially, involves equal status, and requires cooperative goals.
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS 2026
◉ Self-Fulfilling Prophecy.
Answer: An expectation that helps bring about the outcome that is
expected.
◉ Attribution.
Answer: Explanations of behavior by assigning dispositional
(internal) or situational (external) causes.
◉ Fundamental Attribution Error.
Answer: Tendency to overattribute others' behavior to internal
causes and ignore situational factors.
◉ Actor-Observer Effect.
Answer: Tendency to attribute our own behavior to situations but
others' behavior to dispositions.
◉ Self-Serving Bias.
Answer: Tendency to take credit for successes and blame failures on
external factors; boosts self-esteem.
,◉ Attitude.
Answer: An evaluation of liking or disliking a person, object, or
issue; includes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components.
◉ Cognitive Dissonance.
Answer: Emotional discomfort caused by inconsistencies between
attitudes and behavior, motivating change.
◉ Cialdini's Levers of Influence.
Answer: Social influence techniques that operate automatically and
can produce large behavioral outcomes.
◉ Affiliation.
Answer: Connecting or belonging to a group; sharing interests,
identity, and concerns.
◉ Attraction.
Answer: Feelings of liking and positive thoughts/behaviors toward
others; influenced by similarity, proximity, reciprocity, and physical
attractiveness.
◉ Similarity Principle.
,Answer: We are attracted to people with similar values and attitudes
because they validate our self-concept.
◉ Proximity.
Answer: Physical closeness increases interaction and attraction; can
also increase dislike.
◉ Reciprocity.
Answer: We tend to like people who like us back; we respond in kind
to compliments and favors.
◉ Physical Attractiveness.
Answer: A key factor in interpersonal and romantic attraction;
includes halo effects.
◉ Triangular Model of Love.
Answer: Love consists of intimacy, passion, and
decision/commitment; different combinations create different types
of love.
◉ Prosocial Behavior.
Answer: Behavior beneficial to others; includes helping motivated
by altruistic or self-centered motives.
, ◉ Bystander Effect.
Answer: People are less likely to help when others are present due
to diffusion of responsibility.
◉ Prejudice.
Answer: Unfavorable attitude toward a group; includes cognitive
(stereotypes), emotional (dislike), and behavioral (discrimination)
components.
◉ In-Group Favoritism.
Answer: Attributing more positive characteristics to one's own
group.
◉ Out-Group Negativism.
Answer: Attributing more negative characteristics to out-groups.
◉ Out-Group Homogeneity.
Answer: Perceiving members of other groups as more alike than
members of one's own group.
◉ Contact Hypothesis.
Answer: Intergroup contact reduces prejudice when supported
socially, involves equal status, and requires cooperative goals.
