Psychology Attribution Theories Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is situational attribution primarily concerned with?

Negative behavior toward a group

Personal traits and characteristics

External situations or events (correct)

General beliefs about a group

What does the fundamental attribution error lead observers to do?

Misinterpret in-group behaviors

Underestimate external factors (correct)

Overestimate situational factors

Recognize personal traits accurately

How does the just-world hypothesis affect people's perceptions?

It reinforces beliefs in fairness and justice (correct)

It promotes stereotypes about different groups

It encourages empathy towards victims

It suggests randomness in life outcomes

What is the effect of the mere exposure effect on attitudes?

It increases the likelihood of forming positive attitudes Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the actor-observer bias?

It leads to blaming situations for others' actions Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between anxiety and fear?

Anxiety lasts longer and is not linked to a specific situation. Signup and view all the answers

Which disorder affects approximately 3% of people and is often mistaken for a heart attack?

Panic disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which type of depression is characterized by periods of alternating depression and mania?

Bipolar depression Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Engaging in persistent cleaning, checking, or counting behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is required by the DSM-V to consider something a mental disorder?

Significant distress in various important activities Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment is commonly used for managing anxiety disorders?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a treatment for seasonal affective disorder?

Exposure therapy Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a commonly identified cause of unipolar depression?

Environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What does the diathesis model propose?

Genetic vulnerability paired with stress can lead to disorders. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of hallucination involves experiencing false sensory experiences?

Psychosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of compliance in social behavior?

Going along with the group while internally disagreeing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key component of attitude development?

Mere exposure effect Signup and view all the answers

Central route persuasion is most effective under which circumstance?

When individuals have time to contemplate the message Signup and view all the answers

What defines normative influence in social contexts?

Conformity motivated by fear of isolation Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT influence conformity according to social psychology?

Personal opinions Signup and view all the answers

What does the scapegoat theory of prejudice emphasize?

Redirecting hostility toward another group Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary criticism of Milgram's obedience study?

It included only male participants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes characteristic adaptations?

Habits and skills developed to fit social environments Signup and view all the answers

In terms of temperament, which quality does NOT belong to its three components?

Cognitive ability Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom of anxiety disorders?

Excessive fear or worry Signup and view all the answers

What role does the 'receiver' play in persuasive communication?

The target audience for the message Signup and view all the answers

How can exposure help reduce prejudice?

By allowing individuals to understand differences Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological test assesses a person's personality through a series of pictures?

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes an aspect of situationism?

Behavior is influenced more by situations than by internal traits Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attribution

Attribution: An explanation for events or actions.
Situational Attribution: External situations or events that explain behavior.
Dispositional Attribution: A person's internal characteristics that explain behavior.
Actor-Observer Bias: The tendency to blame our actions on the situation, but blame others' actions on their personalities.
Fundamental Attribution Error: Observers tend to underestimate situational influences and overestimate personal disposition when analyzing others' behavior.
Just-World Hypothesis: The belief people get what they deserve in life.
Stereotype: A generalized belief about a group of people.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: How stereotypes affect how we treat others.
Prejudice: Preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience.
Discrimination: Negative behavior toward a group and its members.
In-Group: Groups we favor.
Out-Group: Groups treated differently, perceived as more similar to each other.

Attitude: A person's evaluation(s) of objects, ideas, or events.
Mere Exposure Effect: Repeated exposure to a stimulus leads to a positive attitude.
Reciprocity: Responding to another's actions with a similar action/behavior.
Foot-in-the-Door Technique: Asking for a small task first before a larger one.
Door-in-the-Face Technique: Asking for a large request first then a smaller one.
Bait-and-Switch: Attracting customers with a low-price product, then trying to sell a higher-priced one.
Obedience: Yielding to the orders of others.
Conformity: Altering one's behavior or opinions to match others' expectations.
Social Norms: Expected standards of conduct in a society.
Acceptance: Agreeing with a group's expectations internally.
Compliance: Agreeing with a group externally while disagreeing internally.
Normative Influence: Conforming to avoid looking foolish.
Informative Influence: Believing others have more accurate information.
Social Psychology Topics: Examines self-concept, self-worth, self-esteem, and how thoughts and behaviors are influenced by others. Includes attitudes, opinions, beliefs, and decision-making.
Stereotype Problems: Stereotypes are inaccurate, influence our thinking, affect our perceptions, and can lead to negative treatment of others.
Prejudice Root Causes (theories):
- Social Identity Theory: Identifying with one's group.
- Scapegoat Theory: Redirecting hostility to another source.
Reducing Prejudice & Discrimination: Exposure, role-playing, decategorization.

Attitude, Persuasion, and Behavior

Attitude Components: Affective, behavioral, cognitive.
Attitude Development: Mere exposure, learning (classical/operant conditioning), and socialization.
Central Route Persuasion: Logic and specific arguments (strong, long-lasting attitudes).
Peripheral Route Persuasion: Superficial cues like status, attractiveness (weak, changeable attitudes).
Persuasion Factors: Source (speaker), content (message), and receiver (listener).
Milgram's Study Criticisms: Primarily male participants, 1960s context, ethical concerns, limited generalizability.

Temperament and Personality

Temperament: Characteristic way of behaving and reacting.
Basic Tendencies: Stable, biologically driven personality traits.
Characteristic Adaptations: Habits and skills adapting to a social environment (less stable).
TAT: Thematic Apperception Test (psychological test using pictures).
EAR: Electronically Activated Recorder (measures ambient sounds).
Situationism: Behavior more determined by situations than personality.
Interactionism: Emphasizes both situation and internal factors in personality.
Temperament Components: Activity, emotionality, sociability.
Temperament and Personality Relationship: Temperament at age 3 is a predictor of personality/behaviors at 45.
Projective Measures: Explore unconscious motives (e.g., Rorschach, TAT).
Self-Report Measures: Questionnaires, surveys (e.g., NEO).
Naturally Occurring Assessments: Measuring behavior/personality from everyday life (e.g., EAR).
Observational Methods: Others rate you, questionnaires from others.

Psychological Disorders

Diathesis: Vulnerability to a psychological disorder.
Comorbidity: Co-occurrence of two or more disorders.
Sign: Observable characteristic by a professional.
Symptom: Reported experience by an individual.
Anxiety: Excessive fear/worry without danger.
Specific Phobias: Fear of a specific object or situation (e.g., heights, enclosed spaces, snakes, flying).
Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape is difficult.
Social Anxiety: Fear of negative evaluation by others.
Panic Disorder: Overwhelming terror attacks.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, exaggerated worry.
Obsessions: Recurrent, intrusive thoughts.
Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors to reduce anxiety.
Depressive Disorders: Persistent sadness, loss of interest.
Unipolar Depression: Sad/depressed state.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Severe depressed mood/loss of interest for weeks.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): Mild/moderate depression for 2+ years.
Bipolar Disorder: Alternating periods of depression and mania.
Schizophrenia: Extreme alterations in thoughts, perceptions, consciousness.
Psychosis: Loss of contact with reality.
Delusions: False beliefs.
Hallucinations: False sensory experiences.
Historical Views (Mental Illness): "Madness," demonic possession, segregation in hospitals.
Diathesis-Stress Model: Vulnerability plus stress lead to disorder.
Biopsychosocial Model: Interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
Normal vs. Disordered Behavior: Deviation from cultural norms, maladaptiveness, stress/threat to self or others, and discomfort.
DSM-V: Diagnostic criteria for mental disorders.
DSM-V Role: Provides descriptions of signs and symptoms for diagnosis.
DSM-V Use: By psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health professionals.
Anxiety Differences from Fear: Anxiety is persistent, fear is short-term; anxiety is not linked to a particular stimulus/situation.
Anxiety Treatments: CBT, exposure therapy, medications.
OCD (most common forms): Cleaning, checking, counting.
Depression (causes): Biological, cognitive, sociocultural factors.
Depression (treatments): CBT, medication.
Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Psychotherapy, medication (e.g., lithium).
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Treatments: Light therapy, Vitamin D supplements, medication.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts of attribution in psychology. This quiz covers various types of attribution, biases, and concepts like prejudice and discrimination. Dive into the nuances of how we interpret behavior in ourselves and others.