Test Bank - Social Psychology
Twelfth Edition
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Social Psychology: The Science of the Social Side of Life
Chapter 2 Social Cognition: How we think About the Social World
Chapter 3 Social Perception: Perceiving and Understanding Others
Chapter 4 The Self: Answering the Question, “Who Am I?”
Chapter 5 Attitudes: Evaluating and Responding to the Social World
Chapter 6 The Causes, Effects, and Cures of Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination
Chapter 7 Interpersonal Attraction and Close Relationships
Chapter 8 Social Influence: Changing Others’ Behaviour
Chapter 9 Prosocial Behaviour: Helping Others
Chapter 10 Aggression: Its Nature, Causes, and Control
Chapter 11 Groups and Individuals: The Consequences of Belonging
Chapter 12 Social Psychology: Applying Its Principles to Law, Health, and Business
TEST BANK
CHAPTER 1 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: THE SCIENCE OF THE SOCIAL SIDE OF LIFE
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
1) The branch of psychology that seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual
behaviour and thought in social situations is ________.
A) general psychology
B) social psychology
C) organizational psychology
D) applied psychology
E) interpersonal psychology
Answer: B
2) Social psychologists focus their attention mainly on individuals because ________.
A) our behaviour is influenced by the actions of other individuals in social situations
B) the behaviour of groups is too difficult to study in laboratory conditions
C) cultural differences have a strong effect on the behaviour of groups but only a weak effect
on individuals
D) some individuals are more strongly affected by society than are others
E) society doesn't have much influence over how individuals should behave in most
situations
Answer: A
1|Page
,3) As a scientific discipline, social psychology strives for ________.
A) a non-sceptical understanding of unobservable forces
B) a unified theory of group behaviour
C) an objective understanding of behaviour
D) a narrow focus on the determinants of group behaviour
E) a subjective understanding of group functions
Answer: C
4) Social Psychology embraces ________ as core scientific values.
A) accuracy, objectivity, scepticism, and open-mindedness
B) accuracy, objectivity, statistical support, and open-mindedness
C) objectivity, theoretical coherence, open-mindedness, and scepticism
D) theoretical coherence, participant-observer approach, client-centred stance, scepticism
E) open-mindedness, scepticism, statistical support, theoretical coherence
Answer: A
5) The focus of social psychology is on ________.
A) the processes society use to direct and control the behaviour of individuals
B) how groups define and shape society
C) the behaviour and thoughts of individuals
D) the actions of small groups of individuals
E) the effects that society may have on group behaviour
Answer: C
6) Why take a scientific approach? Part of the answer lies in the ________ nature of
proverbs, axioms, maxims and the like.
A) contradictory
B) anecdotal
C) medieval
D) Socratic
E) rhetorical
Answer: A
7) Kim knows she needs to go take summer courses, but worries about leaving her new
boyfriend for 3 months. She wonders, will "absence make the heart go stronger" be true, or
is "Out of sight, out of mind" more applicable. This is an example of ________.
A) the unscientific nature of conventional wisdom
B) confusion regarding an interpersonal problem
C) the seductive nature of jealousy
D) the need for female advice
E) the need for better communication with her boyfriend
Answer: A
2|Page
,8) One reason that social scientists put their faith in the scientific method is that ________.
A) the scientific method produces incontrovertible proof of the accuracy of their theories
B) the scientific method assures acceptance of their conclusions by the general public
C) the scientific method substantiates the status quo
D) the scientific method allows scientists to rely on their own intuition
E) the scientific method produces more conclusive evidence than other methods
Answer: E
9) The planning fallacy is ________.
A) a tendency for individuals to believe that projects will take less time than they actually do
B) a bias that some people have in planning for worst-case scenarios
C) a tendency to rely on our memories of previous similar activities when planning future
projects
D) the mistaken belief that one can completely plan for social encounters
E) a technique used by some social psychologists when studying group interactions
Answer: A
10) Armando based on his estimate of how long it would take him to complete his mid-term
essay, told his instructor he would turn in the paper on Tuesday, but was late turning it in,
causing his instructor to deduct a letter grade from the paper. Next time Armando makes
such a promise based on a plan, he will likely ________.
A) remember the negative consequence he experienced, and turn the paper in on time
B) more carefully examine how to go about doing the paper on time
C) base his estimate on an outline of the paper
D) make arrangements to work away from his noisy roommates
E) make the same planning error, and be late again
Answer: E
11) Social psychologists are primarily interested in understanding the many factors and
conditions that shape the social ________ and ________ of individuals.
A) behaviour; thought
B) behaviour; planning
C) emotion; cognition
D) emotion; addiction
E) thought; judgment
Answer: A
12) Which of the following categories is NOT one of the five categories mentioned in your
text regarding factors affecting social interaction?
A) none of these categories were mentioned
B) perceptual processes
C) cognitive processes
D) environmental variables
E) biological factors
Answer: B
3|Page
,13) The ways we think about other people and the things we remember about them may
have an effect on our behaviour. These thoughts and memories are examples of ________.
A) social processes
B) cultural processes
C) interpersonal processes
D) historical processes
E) cognitive processes
Answer: E
14) LaShawna meets another girl at a party who is not from LaShawna's ethnic group, and
whom LaShawna judges, based on her stereotype of that group, is probably shallow and a
gossip. The best description of LaShawna's judgment is that she is engaged in ________.
A) a social cognitive process
B) cultural norming
C) prejudice
D) judging a book by its cover
E) a typical interaction between young females
Answer: A
15) Radha is from India and is Jana's friend. In making a judgment about Radha's reason for
being late for coffee, Jana may infer that Radha was late because she had a confusing day,
or Jana may decide that Radha doesn't really have much respect for her schedule. This is
best explained as an example of a ________.
A) cognitive process
B) environmental variable
C) cultural context
D) biological factor
E) personality trait
Answer: A
16) People tend to become more irritable and aggressive when the weather is hot and
humid. This fact is an example of the effects of ________ on social behaviour.
A) environmental variables
B) biological processes
C) cognitive processes
D) cultural context
E) interpersonal variables
Answer: A
4|Page
, 17) The moon is full, and Christine has been behaving wildly. Although sober, he's been
alternately barking like a dog at strangers on the street, and/or asking them, "aren't ya' just
happy now?" It is possible that Christine’s behaviour is due to ________.
A) the moon as an environmental influence
B) an undiagnosed mental illness
C) a cultural norm imported from his Transylvanian homeland
D) a good grade on his midterm paper
E) the fact that he has not seen his dog since school started
Answer: A
18) The divorce rate in the United States has changed dramatically since the 1950s. This
change may be explained in part by the effect that ________ have on behaviour.
A) biological factors
B) environmental variables
C) intrapersonal conflicts
D) cultural beliefs
E) cognitive processes
Answer: D
19) The social rules concerning how individuals should behave in specific situations are
known as ________.
A) mores
B) cultural beliefs and norms
C) civil standards
D) social values
E) cognitive factors
Answer: B
20) The system of shared meanings, perceptions, and beliefs held by persons belonging to
the same group is known as ________.
A) normative context
B) culture
C) socialization
D) civilization
E) interpersonal background
Answer: B
21) The branch of psychology that seeks to examine the potential role of genetic factors in
different aspects of human behaviour is known as ________.
A) psychology of perception
B) physiological psychology
C) cultural psychology
D) evolutionary psychology
E) social psychology
Answer: D
5|Page
Twelfth Edition
CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Social Psychology: The Science of the Social Side of Life
Chapter 2 Social Cognition: How we think About the Social World
Chapter 3 Social Perception: Perceiving and Understanding Others
Chapter 4 The Self: Answering the Question, “Who Am I?”
Chapter 5 Attitudes: Evaluating and Responding to the Social World
Chapter 6 The Causes, Effects, and Cures of Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination
Chapter 7 Interpersonal Attraction and Close Relationships
Chapter 8 Social Influence: Changing Others’ Behaviour
Chapter 9 Prosocial Behaviour: Helping Others
Chapter 10 Aggression: Its Nature, Causes, and Control
Chapter 11 Groups and Individuals: The Consequences of Belonging
Chapter 12 Social Psychology: Applying Its Principles to Law, Health, and Business
TEST BANK
CHAPTER 1 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: THE SCIENCE OF THE SOCIAL SIDE OF LIFE
MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
1) The branch of psychology that seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual
behaviour and thought in social situations is ________.
A) general psychology
B) social psychology
C) organizational psychology
D) applied psychology
E) interpersonal psychology
Answer: B
2) Social psychologists focus their attention mainly on individuals because ________.
A) our behaviour is influenced by the actions of other individuals in social situations
B) the behaviour of groups is too difficult to study in laboratory conditions
C) cultural differences have a strong effect on the behaviour of groups but only a weak effect
on individuals
D) some individuals are more strongly affected by society than are others
E) society doesn't have much influence over how individuals should behave in most
situations
Answer: A
1|Page
,3) As a scientific discipline, social psychology strives for ________.
A) a non-sceptical understanding of unobservable forces
B) a unified theory of group behaviour
C) an objective understanding of behaviour
D) a narrow focus on the determinants of group behaviour
E) a subjective understanding of group functions
Answer: C
4) Social Psychology embraces ________ as core scientific values.
A) accuracy, objectivity, scepticism, and open-mindedness
B) accuracy, objectivity, statistical support, and open-mindedness
C) objectivity, theoretical coherence, open-mindedness, and scepticism
D) theoretical coherence, participant-observer approach, client-centred stance, scepticism
E) open-mindedness, scepticism, statistical support, theoretical coherence
Answer: A
5) The focus of social psychology is on ________.
A) the processes society use to direct and control the behaviour of individuals
B) how groups define and shape society
C) the behaviour and thoughts of individuals
D) the actions of small groups of individuals
E) the effects that society may have on group behaviour
Answer: C
6) Why take a scientific approach? Part of the answer lies in the ________ nature of
proverbs, axioms, maxims and the like.
A) contradictory
B) anecdotal
C) medieval
D) Socratic
E) rhetorical
Answer: A
7) Kim knows she needs to go take summer courses, but worries about leaving her new
boyfriend for 3 months. She wonders, will "absence make the heart go stronger" be true, or
is "Out of sight, out of mind" more applicable. This is an example of ________.
A) the unscientific nature of conventional wisdom
B) confusion regarding an interpersonal problem
C) the seductive nature of jealousy
D) the need for female advice
E) the need for better communication with her boyfriend
Answer: A
2|Page
,8) One reason that social scientists put their faith in the scientific method is that ________.
A) the scientific method produces incontrovertible proof of the accuracy of their theories
B) the scientific method assures acceptance of their conclusions by the general public
C) the scientific method substantiates the status quo
D) the scientific method allows scientists to rely on their own intuition
E) the scientific method produces more conclusive evidence than other methods
Answer: E
9) The planning fallacy is ________.
A) a tendency for individuals to believe that projects will take less time than they actually do
B) a bias that some people have in planning for worst-case scenarios
C) a tendency to rely on our memories of previous similar activities when planning future
projects
D) the mistaken belief that one can completely plan for social encounters
E) a technique used by some social psychologists when studying group interactions
Answer: A
10) Armando based on his estimate of how long it would take him to complete his mid-term
essay, told his instructor he would turn in the paper on Tuesday, but was late turning it in,
causing his instructor to deduct a letter grade from the paper. Next time Armando makes
such a promise based on a plan, he will likely ________.
A) remember the negative consequence he experienced, and turn the paper in on time
B) more carefully examine how to go about doing the paper on time
C) base his estimate on an outline of the paper
D) make arrangements to work away from his noisy roommates
E) make the same planning error, and be late again
Answer: E
11) Social psychologists are primarily interested in understanding the many factors and
conditions that shape the social ________ and ________ of individuals.
A) behaviour; thought
B) behaviour; planning
C) emotion; cognition
D) emotion; addiction
E) thought; judgment
Answer: A
12) Which of the following categories is NOT one of the five categories mentioned in your
text regarding factors affecting social interaction?
A) none of these categories were mentioned
B) perceptual processes
C) cognitive processes
D) environmental variables
E) biological factors
Answer: B
3|Page
,13) The ways we think about other people and the things we remember about them may
have an effect on our behaviour. These thoughts and memories are examples of ________.
A) social processes
B) cultural processes
C) interpersonal processes
D) historical processes
E) cognitive processes
Answer: E
14) LaShawna meets another girl at a party who is not from LaShawna's ethnic group, and
whom LaShawna judges, based on her stereotype of that group, is probably shallow and a
gossip. The best description of LaShawna's judgment is that she is engaged in ________.
A) a social cognitive process
B) cultural norming
C) prejudice
D) judging a book by its cover
E) a typical interaction between young females
Answer: A
15) Radha is from India and is Jana's friend. In making a judgment about Radha's reason for
being late for coffee, Jana may infer that Radha was late because she had a confusing day,
or Jana may decide that Radha doesn't really have much respect for her schedule. This is
best explained as an example of a ________.
A) cognitive process
B) environmental variable
C) cultural context
D) biological factor
E) personality trait
Answer: A
16) People tend to become more irritable and aggressive when the weather is hot and
humid. This fact is an example of the effects of ________ on social behaviour.
A) environmental variables
B) biological processes
C) cognitive processes
D) cultural context
E) interpersonal variables
Answer: A
4|Page
, 17) The moon is full, and Christine has been behaving wildly. Although sober, he's been
alternately barking like a dog at strangers on the street, and/or asking them, "aren't ya' just
happy now?" It is possible that Christine’s behaviour is due to ________.
A) the moon as an environmental influence
B) an undiagnosed mental illness
C) a cultural norm imported from his Transylvanian homeland
D) a good grade on his midterm paper
E) the fact that he has not seen his dog since school started
Answer: A
18) The divorce rate in the United States has changed dramatically since the 1950s. This
change may be explained in part by the effect that ________ have on behaviour.
A) biological factors
B) environmental variables
C) intrapersonal conflicts
D) cultural beliefs
E) cognitive processes
Answer: D
19) The social rules concerning how individuals should behave in specific situations are
known as ________.
A) mores
B) cultural beliefs and norms
C) civil standards
D) social values
E) cognitive factors
Answer: B
20) The system of shared meanings, perceptions, and beliefs held by persons belonging to
the same group is known as ________.
A) normative context
B) culture
C) socialization
D) civilization
E) interpersonal background
Answer: B
21) The branch of psychology that seeks to examine the potential role of genetic factors in
different aspects of human behaviour is known as ________.
A) psychology of perception
B) physiological psychology
C) cultural psychology
D) evolutionary psychology
E) social psychology
Answer: D
5|Page
