PSY 101 Exam 4 V2 | PSY 101 Foundations
of Psychology | StraighterLine | Q&A with
Rationale (StraighterLine PSY101 Exam 4)
1. When an individual attributes someone else’s behavior to internal dispositional factors
while ignoring situational influences, they are demonstrating which phenomenon?
A. The fundamental attribution error
B. Cognitive dissonance
C. Self-serving bias
D. The bystander effect
Answer: A
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error is a central concept in social psychology
regarding how we perceive others. It involves overestimating personal traits and
underestimating the impact of the environment. This bias often leads to misunderstandings
about why people act the way they do in specific contexts.
2. According to Leon Festinger, what occurs when a person’s behaviors are inconsistent with
their attitudes?
A. Cognitive dissonance
B. Groupthink
C. Social facilitation
,D. Deindividuation
Answer: A
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort experienced when
holding conflicting beliefs or behaving in a way that contradicts one’s values. To reduce this
tension, individuals typically change their attitudes to align with their actions. This theory
explains many aspects of human motivation and attitude change.
3. Solomon Asch’s classic study, where participants were asked to judge the length of lines,
primarily investigated which social influence?
A. Obedience
B. Altruism
C. Conformity
D. Aggression
Answer: C
Rationale: The Asch experiments demonstrated the degree to which an individual’s own
opinions are influenced by those of a majority group. Even when the correct answer was
obvious, many participants chose the wrong answer to match the group consensus. This
study highlights the powerful pressure to conform within social settings.
4. Stanley Milgram’s research into ‘shocks’ and authority focused on which psychological
concept?
A. Peripheral route persuasion
, B. The halo effect
C. Social loafing
D. Obedience to authority
Answer: D
Rationale: Milgram conducted his study to understand how far individuals would go in
following orders from an authority figure, even if those orders caused harm. The results
showed that a surprising majority of participants were willing to administer what they
believed were lethal shocks. This research remains a controversial yet essential part of
understanding human social behavior.
5. In the context of group dynamics, what is ‘social loafing’?
A. The tendency to exert less effort when working in a group
B. Improved performance in the presence of others
C. Loss of self-awareness in high-arousal group situations
D. The strengthening of a group’s prevailing opinions after discussion
Answer: A
Rationale: Social loafing occurs when individuals believe their personal contribution
cannot be identified or measured within a larger group. Because accountability is spread
across the group, people often feel less motivated to work hard. This phenomenon is a
common challenge in collaborative environments and team-based projects.
of Psychology | StraighterLine | Q&A with
Rationale (StraighterLine PSY101 Exam 4)
1. When an individual attributes someone else’s behavior to internal dispositional factors
while ignoring situational influences, they are demonstrating which phenomenon?
A. The fundamental attribution error
B. Cognitive dissonance
C. Self-serving bias
D. The bystander effect
Answer: A
Rationale: The fundamental attribution error is a central concept in social psychology
regarding how we perceive others. It involves overestimating personal traits and
underestimating the impact of the environment. This bias often leads to misunderstandings
about why people act the way they do in specific contexts.
2. According to Leon Festinger, what occurs when a person’s behaviors are inconsistent with
their attitudes?
A. Cognitive dissonance
B. Groupthink
C. Social facilitation
,D. Deindividuation
Answer: A
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort experienced when
holding conflicting beliefs or behaving in a way that contradicts one’s values. To reduce this
tension, individuals typically change their attitudes to align with their actions. This theory
explains many aspects of human motivation and attitude change.
3. Solomon Asch’s classic study, where participants were asked to judge the length of lines,
primarily investigated which social influence?
A. Obedience
B. Altruism
C. Conformity
D. Aggression
Answer: C
Rationale: The Asch experiments demonstrated the degree to which an individual’s own
opinions are influenced by those of a majority group. Even when the correct answer was
obvious, many participants chose the wrong answer to match the group consensus. This
study highlights the powerful pressure to conform within social settings.
4. Stanley Milgram’s research into ‘shocks’ and authority focused on which psychological
concept?
A. Peripheral route persuasion
, B. The halo effect
C. Social loafing
D. Obedience to authority
Answer: D
Rationale: Milgram conducted his study to understand how far individuals would go in
following orders from an authority figure, even if those orders caused harm. The results
showed that a surprising majority of participants were willing to administer what they
believed were lethal shocks. This research remains a controversial yet essential part of
understanding human social behavior.
5. In the context of group dynamics, what is ‘social loafing’?
A. The tendency to exert less effort when working in a group
B. Improved performance in the presence of others
C. Loss of self-awareness in high-arousal group situations
D. The strengthening of a group’s prevailing opinions after discussion
Answer: A
Rationale: Social loafing occurs when individuals believe their personal contribution
cannot be identified or measured within a larger group. Because accountability is spread
across the group, people often feel less motivated to work hard. This phenomenon is a
common challenge in collaborative environments and team-based projects.
