PSY 102 Exam 4 V2 | PSY 102 General Psychology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (PSY102 Exam 4) | Grand Canyon University
1. Which psychological phenomenon explains why a person might attribute their own failure
to external factors but their success to internal traits?
A. Fundamental attribution error
B. Cognitive dissonance
C. Self-serving bias
D. Confirmation bias
Answer: C
Rationale: The self-serving bias is a common habit of a person taking credit for positive
events or outcomes, but blaming outside factors for negative events. This occurs as a way
to protect one’s self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image. It is often contrasted with
the fundamental attribution error which focuses on how we judge others.
2. In Solomon Asch’s classic study on conformity, what was the primary factor that led
participants to provide an obviously incorrect answer?
A. Informational social influence
B. Group polarization
C. Normative social influence
D. Deindividuation
Answer: C
Rationale: Normative social influence involves conforming to the group to be liked or
accepted by others. In Asch’s experiment, participants often knew the answer they gave
was wrong but did not want to appear different from the group. This study highlights the
powerful pressure of social norms on individual behavior.
3. Stanley Milgram’s experiment was designed to measure the willingness of study
participants to obey an authority figure who instructed them to perform acts conflicting with
their personal conscience. What was the act in question?
A. Verbal insults
B. Electric shocks
C. Financial theft
D. Physical isolation
,Answer: B
Rationale: The Milgram experiment required participants to deliver what they believed
were increasingly painful electric shocks to a learner. This research showed that a high
percentage of individuals would obey authority even when they believed they were causing
harm. It remains a foundational study in ethics and social psychology at GCU.
4. What term describes the tendency for people to exert less effort when working in a group
than when working individually?
A. Social loafing
B. Social facilitation
C. Groupthink
D. Deindividuation
Answer: A
Rationale: Social loafing occurs when individual contributions are not specifically
evaluated, leading to a decrease in motivation. This often happens because members feel
their individual efforts will not be noticed or that others will carry the workload. It is a
common challenge in collaborative environments and group projects.
5. Which theory suggests that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our
thoughts are inconsistent?
A. Self-perception theory
B. Cognitive dissonance theory
C. Social exchange theory
D. The bystander effect
Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced by a person who
holds two or more contradictory beliefs or values. To resolve this tension, individuals often
change their attitudes or justify their behaviors. This concept was famously proposed by
Leon Festinger and is central to understanding attitude change.
6. A loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal
and anonymity is known as:
A. Group polarization
B. Deindividuation
C. The foot-in-the-door phenomenon
D. Altruism
, Answer: B
Rationale: Deindividuation often occurs in crowds or through online interactions where
people feel anonymous. This state can lead to impulsive or deviant behavior that the
individual would not normally perform alone. It is a key concept in explaining mob
behavior and social contagion.
7. The ‘Bystander Effect’ suggests that people are less likely to help someone in need if:
A. There are many other people present
B. The victim is a stranger
C. The bystander is in a hurry
D. The situation is ambiguous
Answer: A
Rationale: The bystander effect occurs because of a diffusion of responsibility where each
person assumes someone else will intervene. Studies show that as the number of witnesses
increases, the likelihood of any single individual helping decreases. This was famously
highlighted by the case of Kitty Genovese.
8. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is primarily used by
clinicians to:
A. Cure psychological disorders
B. Classify and diagnose psychological disorders
C. Prescribe medication
D. Conduct experimental research
Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5 provides standardized criteria for the classification of mental
disorders to ensure consistent diagnoses across different practitioners. It does not provide
treatment protocols or specific ‘cures’ but serves as a diagnostic tool. This manual is
updated periodically to reflect new research and clinical insights.
9. Which disorder is characterized by persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific
object, activity, or situation?
A. Specific phobia
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Panic disorder
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Answer: A
Rationale (PSY102 Exam 4) | Grand Canyon University
1. Which psychological phenomenon explains why a person might attribute their own failure
to external factors but their success to internal traits?
A. Fundamental attribution error
B. Cognitive dissonance
C. Self-serving bias
D. Confirmation bias
Answer: C
Rationale: The self-serving bias is a common habit of a person taking credit for positive
events or outcomes, but blaming outside factors for negative events. This occurs as a way
to protect one’s self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image. It is often contrasted with
the fundamental attribution error which focuses on how we judge others.
2. In Solomon Asch’s classic study on conformity, what was the primary factor that led
participants to provide an obviously incorrect answer?
A. Informational social influence
B. Group polarization
C. Normative social influence
D. Deindividuation
Answer: C
Rationale: Normative social influence involves conforming to the group to be liked or
accepted by others. In Asch’s experiment, participants often knew the answer they gave
was wrong but did not want to appear different from the group. This study highlights the
powerful pressure of social norms on individual behavior.
3. Stanley Milgram’s experiment was designed to measure the willingness of study
participants to obey an authority figure who instructed them to perform acts conflicting with
their personal conscience. What was the act in question?
A. Verbal insults
B. Electric shocks
C. Financial theft
D. Physical isolation
,Answer: B
Rationale: The Milgram experiment required participants to deliver what they believed
were increasingly painful electric shocks to a learner. This research showed that a high
percentage of individuals would obey authority even when they believed they were causing
harm. It remains a foundational study in ethics and social psychology at GCU.
4. What term describes the tendency for people to exert less effort when working in a group
than when working individually?
A. Social loafing
B. Social facilitation
C. Groupthink
D. Deindividuation
Answer: A
Rationale: Social loafing occurs when individual contributions are not specifically
evaluated, leading to a decrease in motivation. This often happens because members feel
their individual efforts will not be noticed or that others will carry the workload. It is a
common challenge in collaborative environments and group projects.
5. Which theory suggests that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our
thoughts are inconsistent?
A. Self-perception theory
B. Cognitive dissonance theory
C. Social exchange theory
D. The bystander effect
Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced by a person who
holds two or more contradictory beliefs or values. To resolve this tension, individuals often
change their attitudes or justify their behaviors. This concept was famously proposed by
Leon Festinger and is central to understanding attitude change.
6. A loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal
and anonymity is known as:
A. Group polarization
B. Deindividuation
C. The foot-in-the-door phenomenon
D. Altruism
, Answer: B
Rationale: Deindividuation often occurs in crowds or through online interactions where
people feel anonymous. This state can lead to impulsive or deviant behavior that the
individual would not normally perform alone. It is a key concept in explaining mob
behavior and social contagion.
7. The ‘Bystander Effect’ suggests that people are less likely to help someone in need if:
A. There are many other people present
B. The victim is a stranger
C. The bystander is in a hurry
D. The situation is ambiguous
Answer: A
Rationale: The bystander effect occurs because of a diffusion of responsibility where each
person assumes someone else will intervene. Studies show that as the number of witnesses
increases, the likelihood of any single individual helping decreases. This was famously
highlighted by the case of Kitty Genovese.
8. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is primarily used by
clinicians to:
A. Cure psychological disorders
B. Classify and diagnose psychological disorders
C. Prescribe medication
D. Conduct experimental research
Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5 provides standardized criteria for the classification of mental
disorders to ensure consistent diagnoses across different practitioners. It does not provide
treatment protocols or specific ‘cures’ but serves as a diagnostic tool. This manual is
updated periodically to reflect new research and clinical insights.
9. Which disorder is characterized by persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific
object, activity, or situation?
A. Specific phobia
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Panic disorder
D. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Answer: A
