Psychology Situational Influence and Cognition

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Questions and Answers

What is the fundamental attribution error?

Overestimating the role of innate characteristics in behavior

Underestimating the influence of the situation on behavior (correct)

Assuming that behavior is always conscious and deliberate

Believing that all behavior is influenced by social norms

Which route of human cognition is characterized by being fast, automatic, and related to cognitive shortcuts?

Deliberate route

Systematic route

Implicit route (correct)

Explicit route

How does explicit influence function in social situations?

It occurs without conscious awareness

It leads to subconscious conformity

It has no effect on decision-making

It involves direct pressures that individuals recognize (correct)

Which of the following best defines conformity in social psychology?

Adjusting one's beliefs to match those of a group Signup and view all the answers

In the dual-process model of human cognition, which statement accurately describes the explicit route?

It requires deliberate and thoughtful consideration Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of implicit influence?

Not participating in a class discussion after observing peers' reactions Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario illustrates the concept of conformity?

Choosing to wear the latest fashion because everyone else is doing it Signup and view all the answers

What is one implication of the dual-process model in decision-making?

Some decisions may be influenced by unconscious factors Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon explains why people are less likely to help in a group setting compared to when they are alone?

The bystander effect Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the nature of stereotypes?

Stereotypes are beliefs about the characteristics of a particular group. Signup and view all the answers

How do stereotypes affect our cognitive processing?

They allow for efficient information processing and categorization. Signup and view all the answers

What was the observed behavior regarding helping in a staged experiment with multiple participants?

Helping behavior decreased with more people present. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of stereotypes?

They are context-independent beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of social psychology, which of the following best explains why stereotypes are inevitable?

They stem from the necessity to categorize information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence of using stereotypes in decision-making?

They can result in inaccurate assumptions and prejudgments about individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about stereotypes is TRUE?

Stereotypes help to simplify complex social information. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the explicit route from the implicit route in decision-making?

The explicit route is slow and deliberate. Signup and view all the answers

How does the halo effect illustrate an implicit process?

It operates without the individual being aware of the influencing factors. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Patricia Devine's study, what is a key finding regarding implicit and explicit stereotyping?

Unprejudiced individuals correct for implicit biases in their behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What role does long-term memory (LTM) play in implicit judgment behaviors?

It activates associations that influence judgments without conscious awareness. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes implicit stereotyping?

Stereotypes are activated unknowingly during perception. Signup and view all the answers

What might be a benign example of implicit influence in behavior?

Completing word fragments with words previously seen. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the characteristics of the implicit route?

It utilizes previous knowledge automatically and efficiently. Signup and view all the answers

What outcome does the halo effect suggest about attractiveness in social judgments?

Attractiveness biases the perception of character. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Situational Influence on Behavior

We often overlook the situation's impact on behavior, falling victim to the fundamental attribution error.
This error leads us to attribute behavior solely to a person's character, ignoring external contributing factors.

Dual-Process Model of Cognition

Our cognitive processing operates on two distinct levels: the explicit and implicit routes.
The explicit route is slow, deliberate, and conscious while the implicit route is fast, automatic, and unconscious.
Most of our decisions and behaviors are influenced by the implicit route.
Implicit examples include reacting instinctively to a flying ball or holding implicit beliefs about people based on appearance.

Conformity

Conformity is altering behavior or attitudes to fit in with a group.
Explicit influence is conscious awareness of group pressure, such as attending a party because friends are going.
Implicit influence is unconscious pressure, such as avoiding someone disliked by close friends without conscious knowledge of their dislike.
The dual-process model applies here, as conformity can be influenced by both conscious and unconscious factors.

The Implicit

Past experiences shape our judgments and behaviors in unconscious ways.
This is known as implicit influence and is often overlooked by us.
The halo effect is an example of this:
- Attractive people are perceived as having better writing and are given more lenient punishments.
This implicit process is unconscious as the source of our judgment is unknown to us.

The Implicit and Explicit: Patricia Devine's Study

Prejudiced and unprejudiced individuals both exhibit implicit stereotyping, but only unprejudiced individuals consciously correct for this bias to avoid explicit stereotyping.
This suggests that implicit biases are prevalent due to cultural influences, stored in long-term memory, and readily activated even for those who reject them.
Bystander apathy shows how even when aware of a need to intervene, individuals may refrain from action due to implicit biases as well as looking to others for cues on their behavior.

Stereotyping

Stereotypes are beliefs about characteristics attributed to specific groups, regardless of their truth or value.
They are a part of our normal cognitive architecture, helping us organize and simplify information.
It is important to note that stereotypes are not inherently acceptable, even if they are a normal part of human cognition.
Cultural influence plays a significant role in forming and perpetuating stereotypes.
Stereotypes can be activated and applied to process information efficiently and can be positive or negative.

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Description

Explore the factors that influence behavior, including the fundamental attribution error, cognitive processing routes, and conformity. This quiz delves into how situational contexts and group dynamics shape our actions and thoughts in subtle yet profound ways.