Psychology Chapter: Attitudes and Behavior

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Questions and Answers

What are attitudes primarily influenced by?

Emotions that are always positive

Unconscious desires that dictate behavior

Social norms without individual beliefs

Beliefs that predispose responses (correct)

Under which circumstances can attitudes predict behavior effectively?

When outside influences on expressions are minimal (correct)

When the behavior is inconsistent with the attitude

When the attitude is general and vague

When the person is under severe stress

What is an implicit attitude?

A known and acknowledged belief

A belief shared by a community

An unacknowledged inner belief (correct)

A conscious belief that guides behavior

What was the main purpose of Zimbardo's Stanford prison experiment?

To investigate the roles of guards and prisoners in creating brutality Signup and view all the answers

How did the behavior of the guards evolve during the Stanford prison experiment?

They began to employ cruel and degrading methods Signup and view all the answers

What does the implicit association test (IAT) primarily measure?

Implicit attitudes that may not align with explicit beliefs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can enhance the predictive power of an attitude on behavior?

The individual is placed in a stressful environment Signup and view all the answers

What confusion arose during the Stanford prison experiment according to Zimbardo's report?

Reality versus illusion in role-playing and self-identity Signup and view all the answers

What is cognitive dissonance?

A tension arising from the awareness of conflicting cognitions. Signup and view all the answers

How does selective exposure function in relation to beliefs?

Leads people to actively seek information that supports their existing views. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'overjustification effect'?

A decrease in intrinsic motivation due to external rewards. Signup and view all the answers

What does insufficient justification refer to in reducing dissonance?

Internally justifying behavior when external reasons are weak. Signup and view all the answers

What might happen if a parent rewards a child for reading?

The extrinsic motivation can diminish the intrinsic joy of reading. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the facial feedback effect?

Emotions can be influenced by the expressions we make. Signup and view all the answers

What is confirmation bias?

Overestimating the importance of evidence that confirms beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What effect can occur if children are paid to play with puzzles?

They may show less interest in puzzles compared to those who play without payment. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Implicit Association Test (IAT) primarily measure?

Implicit attitudes through reaction times Signup and view all the answers

According to the principle of aggregation, how can a person's attitudes predict their behavior?

By averaging their attitudes across various contexts Signup and view all the answers

Which theory posits that individuals justify their actions to reduce discomfort?

Cognitive dissonance theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concept behind the foot-in-the-door phenomenon?

People are more likely to comply with larger requests after agreeing to smaller ones Signup and view all the answers

What does Ajzen and Fishbein's 'theory of planned behavior' emphasize as crucial for predicting behavior?

Self-efficacy and behavioral intentions Signup and view all the answers

What does self-presentation theory assume about people's expressed attitudes?

They are often influenced by the situation and context Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the low-ball technique in social influence?

To secure agreement to an agreement before additional costs are revealed Signup and view all the answers

How do people typically infer their own attitudes according to self-perception theory?

By observing their behaviors and the contexts of those behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attitudes

Attitudes are feelings that can be positive, negative, or neutral, influenced by beliefs.
Attitudes can predict behavior if the influence is minimal, the attitude is specific, and potent.
Measuring attitudes is indirect, and social psychologists use methods to minimize social influences on reports.
Implicit attitudes are subconscious beliefs that may not align with conscious attitudes.
The Implicit Association Test (IAT) assesses these unconscious associations using reaction times.
Principle of aggregation suggests that attitudes are better understood by examining average behavior over time.

The Stanford Prison Experiment

A simulated prison environment highlighted the power of roles in shaping behavior.
Students assigned as guards and prisoners adopted their roles, leading to degrading treatment and psychological effects.
The experiment demonstrated how social situations can influence individuals' behaviors and identities.

Attitudes and Behavior

Self-presentation theory suggests that we express attitudes to appear consistent.
Cognitive dissonance theory proposes that we justify our actions to reduce discomfort caused by inconsistent cognitions.
Self-perception theory posits that we infer our attitudes by observing our behavior and the context in which it occurs.

Influencing Behavior: Foot-in-the-Door and Low-ball Techniques

The foot-in-the-door phenomenon describes the tendency to comply with a larger request after agreeing to a smaller one.
The low-ball technique involves gaining agreement to an initial request and then increasing the cost or effort for compliance.

Cognitive Dissonance: Minimizing Inconsistency

Cognitive dissonance is the mental tension arising from holding two inconsistent thoughts or beliefs.
Selective exposure refers to seeking information that confirms existing beliefs and avoiding contradictory information.
Insufficient justification occurs when we reduce dissonance by internally justifying our behavior when external justification is lacking.

The Facial Feedback Effect

Facial expressions can trigger corresponding feelings, such as fear, anger, or happiness.

Overjustification Effect: Undermining Intrinsic Motivation

Rewarding individuals for activities they already enjoy can lead to overjustification and undermine their intrinsic motivation.
This effect occurs when extrinsic rewards are offered to control behavior, leading individuals to perceive their actions as externally driven.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts related to attitudes, their measurement, and the impact they have on behavior. It also explores the Stanford Prison Experiment and how social roles can influence individual behavior. Test your understanding of implicit attitudes and the psychological principles behind them.