PSY 102 Exam 4 V2 | PSY 102 General
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(PSY102 Exam 4) | Grand Canyon
University
1. Which of the following describes the ‘Fundamental Attribution Error’ as observed in social
psychology?
A. The tendency to attribute our own successes to internal factors and failures to external
factors.
B. The tendency to overestimate situational influences and underestimate dispositional
influences on others’ behavior.
C. The tendency to overestimate dispositional influences and underestimate situational
influences on others’ behavior.
D. The belief that everyone else is noticing and evaluating our appearance and
performance.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error is a cognitive bias where observers
emphasize internal characteristics rather than external circumstances. This occurs
frequently in social settings when we judge a person’s personality based on a single event
without considering environmental pressures. Awareness of this bias is essential for
improving interpersonal communication and reducing unfair prejudices.
,2. In Stanley Milgram’s classic study on obedience, what percentage of participants continued
to administer the highest level of shock (450 volts) despite the learner’s protests?
A. Approximately 65%
B. Approximately 33%
C. Approximately 10%
D. Approximately 95%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Milgram’s research demonstrated that a majority of participants, specifically
about 65%, followed the experimenter’s orders to the end. The results were shocking to the
psychological community because they highlighted the power of perceived authority
figures. This study continues to be a cornerstone in understanding social influence and the
ethical implications of psychological research.
3. Which of the following are considered ‘Positive Symptoms’ of Schizophrenia? Select all that
apply.
A. Hallucinations
B. Social withdrawal
C. Delusions
D. Disorganized speech
E. Reduced emotional expression (Flat affect)
,F. Avolition (Lack of motivation)
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Positive symptoms of schizophrenia represent an excess or distortion of normal
functions, including hallucinations and delusions. Disorganized speech is also categorized
as a positive symptom because it reflects an addition of abnormal behavior. In contrast,
negative symptoms like flat affect or social withdrawal represent a loss or deficit in normal
human functioning.
4. Cognitive Dissonance Theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, suggests that people experience
psychological discomfort when:
A. They are unable to reach self-actualization.
B. They are forced to conform to a group they dislike.
C. They realize they have made a mistake in a logic puzzle.
D. Their behaviors are inconsistent with their attitudes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual holds two conflicting
cognitions or when behavior contradicts an established belief. To reduce this tension,
individuals typically change their attitude to align with their behavior. This process is a
fundamental mechanism for maintaining psychological consistency and internal harmony.
, 5. According to Solomon Asch’s conformity experiments, which factor significantly decreased
the likelihood of a participant conforming to the group’s incorrect answer?
A. Increasing the group size to more than seven people.
B. The participant being required to state their answer out loud.
C. The presence of one other dissenter who gave a different answer from the majority.
D. Making the task more difficult and ambiguous.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Asch found that having even one ally in the group reduced conformity by about
80%. This demonstrates that social support for an independent opinion provides the
courage to resist group pressure. Conformity is most powerful when the group is
unanimous, making dissent a critical factor in individual autonomy.
6. The ‘Bystander Effect’ suggests that an individual is less likely to help someone in need
when other people are present. This is primarily due to:
A. Altruistic fatigue
B. Social loafing
C. The Fundamental Attribution Error
D. Diffusion of responsibility
Correct Answer: D
Psychology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(PSY102 Exam 4) | Grand Canyon
University
1. Which of the following describes the ‘Fundamental Attribution Error’ as observed in social
psychology?
A. The tendency to attribute our own successes to internal factors and failures to external
factors.
B. The tendency to overestimate situational influences and underestimate dispositional
influences on others’ behavior.
C. The tendency to overestimate dispositional influences and underestimate situational
influences on others’ behavior.
D. The belief that everyone else is noticing and evaluating our appearance and
performance.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error is a cognitive bias where observers
emphasize internal characteristics rather than external circumstances. This occurs
frequently in social settings when we judge a person’s personality based on a single event
without considering environmental pressures. Awareness of this bias is essential for
improving interpersonal communication and reducing unfair prejudices.
,2. In Stanley Milgram’s classic study on obedience, what percentage of participants continued
to administer the highest level of shock (450 volts) despite the learner’s protests?
A. Approximately 65%
B. Approximately 33%
C. Approximately 10%
D. Approximately 95%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Milgram’s research demonstrated that a majority of participants, specifically
about 65%, followed the experimenter’s orders to the end. The results were shocking to the
psychological community because they highlighted the power of perceived authority
figures. This study continues to be a cornerstone in understanding social influence and the
ethical implications of psychological research.
3. Which of the following are considered ‘Positive Symptoms’ of Schizophrenia? Select all that
apply.
A. Hallucinations
B. Social withdrawal
C. Delusions
D. Disorganized speech
E. Reduced emotional expression (Flat affect)
,F. Avolition (Lack of motivation)
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: Positive symptoms of schizophrenia represent an excess or distortion of normal
functions, including hallucinations and delusions. Disorganized speech is also categorized
as a positive symptom because it reflects an addition of abnormal behavior. In contrast,
negative symptoms like flat affect or social withdrawal represent a loss or deficit in normal
human functioning.
4. Cognitive Dissonance Theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, suggests that people experience
psychological discomfort when:
A. They are unable to reach self-actualization.
B. They are forced to conform to a group they dislike.
C. They realize they have made a mistake in a logic puzzle.
D. Their behaviors are inconsistent with their attitudes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual holds two conflicting
cognitions or when behavior contradicts an established belief. To reduce this tension,
individuals typically change their attitude to align with their behavior. This process is a
fundamental mechanism for maintaining psychological consistency and internal harmony.
, 5. According to Solomon Asch’s conformity experiments, which factor significantly decreased
the likelihood of a participant conforming to the group’s incorrect answer?
A. Increasing the group size to more than seven people.
B. The participant being required to state their answer out loud.
C. The presence of one other dissenter who gave a different answer from the majority.
D. Making the task more difficult and ambiguous.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Asch found that having even one ally in the group reduced conformity by about
80%. This demonstrates that social support for an independent opinion provides the
courage to resist group pressure. Conformity is most powerful when the group is
unanimous, making dissent a critical factor in individual autonomy.
6. The ‘Bystander Effect’ suggests that an individual is less likely to help someone in need
when other people are present. This is primarily due to:
A. Altruistic fatigue
B. Social loafing
C. The Fundamental Attribution Error
D. Diffusion of responsibility
Correct Answer: D
