PSY 102 Exam 4 V1 | PSY 102 General
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(PSY102 Exam 4) | Grand Canyon
University
1. When people tend to overestimate the influence of internal, personal characteristics and
underestimate the influence of external, situational factors on others’ behavior, they are
demonstrating which of the following?
A. Self-serving bias
B. Cognitive dissonance
C. Fundamental attribution error
D. The bystander effect
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error is a common cognitive bias in social
psychology where individuals focus on dispositional factors rather than situational ones.
This leads observers to blame a person’s character for an outcome rather than considering
external constraints. Research indicates this bias is more prevalent in individualistic
cultures compared to collectivistic ones.
2. Which psychological phenomenon occurs when an individual’s attitudes and behaviors are
inconsistent, leading to a state of psychological tension?
A. Social facilitation
,B. Cognitive dissonance
C. Groupthink
D. Deindividuation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, explains the
discomfort felt when holding two conflicting beliefs or when behavior contradicts beliefs.
To reduce this tension, individuals often change their attitudes to align with their
behaviors. This process helps maintain a consistent self-image and psychological balance.
3. In Solomon Asch’s classic study on conformity, what was the primary factor that influenced
participants to give the wrong answer regarding the length of lines?
A. The authority of the experimenter
B. The desire to be correct
C. The physical difficulty of the task
D. The presence of a unanimous group majority
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Asch’s experiments demonstrated that individuals are likely to conform to a
group even when the group is clearly wrong if the group is unanimous. When even one
confederate disagreed with the majority, conformity rates dropped significantly. This
, highlights the powerful influence of social pressure and the need for social validation
within a group setting.
4. Which of the following situational factors were found to increase obedience in Stanley
Milgram’s famous studies? (Select All That Apply)
A. The physical proximity of the experimenter
B. The prestige of the institution (Yale University)
C. The learner being in a different room
D. Seeing other participants refuse to obey
E. The experimenter wearing a lab coat
F. The learner’s protests becoming louder
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Milgram discovered that obedience increased when the authority figure was
nearby and perceived as legitimate, such as wearing a lab coat at a prestigious university.
Conversely, when the victim (learner) was distant or the teacher could not see them, the
psychological cost of delivering ‘shocks’ decreased. However, seeing others rebel (Option
D) and hearing intense protests (Option F) actually decreased obedience levels.
5. Which personality structure, according to Sigmund Freud, operates on the ‘pleasure
principle’ and seeks immediate gratification of basic biological drives?
A. The Id
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(PSY102 Exam 4) | Grand Canyon
University
1. When people tend to overestimate the influence of internal, personal characteristics and
underestimate the influence of external, situational factors on others’ behavior, they are
demonstrating which of the following?
A. Self-serving bias
B. Cognitive dissonance
C. Fundamental attribution error
D. The bystander effect
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error is a common cognitive bias in social
psychology where individuals focus on dispositional factors rather than situational ones.
This leads observers to blame a person’s character for an outcome rather than considering
external constraints. Research indicates this bias is more prevalent in individualistic
cultures compared to collectivistic ones.
2. Which psychological phenomenon occurs when an individual’s attitudes and behaviors are
inconsistent, leading to a state of psychological tension?
A. Social facilitation
,B. Cognitive dissonance
C. Groupthink
D. Deindividuation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, explains the
discomfort felt when holding two conflicting beliefs or when behavior contradicts beliefs.
To reduce this tension, individuals often change their attitudes to align with their
behaviors. This process helps maintain a consistent self-image and psychological balance.
3. In Solomon Asch’s classic study on conformity, what was the primary factor that influenced
participants to give the wrong answer regarding the length of lines?
A. The authority of the experimenter
B. The desire to be correct
C. The physical difficulty of the task
D. The presence of a unanimous group majority
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Asch’s experiments demonstrated that individuals are likely to conform to a
group even when the group is clearly wrong if the group is unanimous. When even one
confederate disagreed with the majority, conformity rates dropped significantly. This
, highlights the powerful influence of social pressure and the need for social validation
within a group setting.
4. Which of the following situational factors were found to increase obedience in Stanley
Milgram’s famous studies? (Select All That Apply)
A. The physical proximity of the experimenter
B. The prestige of the institution (Yale University)
C. The learner being in a different room
D. Seeing other participants refuse to obey
E. The experimenter wearing a lab coat
F. The learner’s protests becoming louder
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Milgram discovered that obedience increased when the authority figure was
nearby and perceived as legitimate, such as wearing a lab coat at a prestigious university.
Conversely, when the victim (learner) was distant or the teacher could not see them, the
psychological cost of delivering ‘shocks’ decreased. However, seeing others rebel (Option
D) and hearing intense protests (Option F) actually decreased obedience levels.
5. Which personality structure, according to Sigmund Freud, operates on the ‘pleasure
principle’ and seeks immediate gratification of basic biological drives?
A. The Id
