Social Influence Study: Bennington College

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary research question explored at Bennington College?

The relationship between personality and academic success.

The effectiveness of different teaching methods.

The impact of long-term contact on attitudes. (correct)

The influence of social pressure on student behavior.

What was the observed trend in student attitudes at Bennington College?

No significant change in attitudes.

A shift towards liberal attitudes. (correct)

A shift towards conservative attitudes.

A shift towards more moderate attitudes.

How did the researchers operationalize student attitudes?

Through interviews with parents and teachers.

Through direct observation of student interactions.

Through questionnaires and attitude scales. (correct)

Through analyzing student performance in classes.

Which group at Bennington College was found to have had the most influence on student attitudes?

The older students. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main concern regarding the observed changes in student attitudes?

Whether the changes were genuine or merely superficial. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did the researchers attempt to address the concern about genuine attitude change?

By conducting follow-up interviews with students after graduation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors did NOT contribute to the observed trend in student attitudes at Bennington?

The faculty's conscious effort to avoid pushing their views. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Bennington College study in terms of understanding social influence?

It demonstrated the potential power of an environment to shape individual attitudes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did the social psychologists gain access to the group?

They pretended to be believers in the group's prophecy. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial assumption of the group's members regarding the failed prophecy?

They assumed that the prophecy was true, but a higher power had intervened to prevent the flood. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did Festinger et al. find when they re-examined their notes after the failed prophecy?

The notes revealed that the group's beliefs had not been weakened, but had strengthened. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What did the group do after the failed prophecy that they had not done before?

They began holding large public events to share their beliefs and attract new members. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the group's central belief that they were preparing for?

The end of the world. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios is MOST likely to occur when a group's prophecy proves false?

The group will become more vocal and active in spreading its beliefs. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that seemingly contributed to the group's strengthened beliefs in the face of a failed prophecy?

The group's commitment to the prophecy. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the group 'Seekers'?

Active and engaging with the broader community. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the text in terms of obtaining a representative sample?

Random selection ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates the concept of random sampling as described in the text?

A political pollster contacts voters whose phone numbers are randomly generated by a computer program. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is a 'random sample' not simply 'any old way' of selecting participants?

Random sampling ensures that the sample is truly representative of the larger population being studied. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The text compares the process of obtaining a representative sample to a chef stirring soup. What is the MOST likely reason for this analogy?

To emphasize that the sample should be as diverse as the population it represents. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the text present the use of random numbers in sample selection?

As a practical and reliable method, requiring a pre-defined list of population members. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential challenge in using random numbers to select a sample?

Obtaining a list of all members of the population for accurate number assignment. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the text's comparison between obtaining a representative sample and a chef stirring soup?

To illustrate that random sampling ensures a balanced and well-mixed sample. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST important characteristic of a random sample, as explained in the text?

It should guarantee that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to obtain a truly random sample of all college students in the United States?

It is difficult to list all college students in the United States due to the large population. (A), It is difficult to ensure equal representation from different types of colleges. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to get a truly random sample of the population of a community using a phone book?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

If you're drawing a random sample of students in a classroom, what would make it NOT representative of all students in the class?

Including students who are absent during the sampling. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential advantage of using multistage sampling to study college students in the United States?

It reduces the labor involved in listing and sampling the population. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of using multistage sampling to study college students in the United States?

It may not be representative of all colleges in the United States. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What could be considered a bias in a sample of a community if a phone book is used to select participants?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider the intended population when drawing a random sample?

To ensure that the sample is truly representative of the entire population. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge in obtaining a truly random sample of monkeys?

The difficulty in identifying and listing all monkeys in the population. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does it indicate if experimental findings can be replicated in other cultures?

The original findings support generality. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of many experimental findings?

They primarily come from American college students. (C) Signup and view all the answers

When do researchers need to ensure representative samples?

When generalizing findings to an existing real-world population. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why might relying on a self-selected sample be problematic?

It may not represent the broader population's views. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What can we learn if experimental results do not replicate across cultures?

We should explore reasons for the discrepancies. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a situation where a representative sample is particularly important?

Predicting the outcome of an election. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does random sampling aim to achieve in research studies?

A sample that represents the population of interest. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What might indicate progress in research diversity according to the given information?

Increased representation from various age and income groups. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the "Direct Observation of Behavior" section?

The significance of instinctive behaviors in certain actions (C) Signup and view all the answers

What key shift in scientific understanding emerged from ethological observations?

The realization that complex behaviors can be instinctive (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the "eyebrow flash" in the context of human interactions?

A brief lifting and lowering of the eyebrows, often used in greetings (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key takeaway from the observation of the "eyebrow flash" across different cultures?

The potential for innate, universal expressions regardless of culture (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the observation of Figure 4.7 demonstrate?

The ability of members of different cultures to recognize happy expressions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary significance of Figure 4.8?

Providing a visual representation of a universal expression of laughter (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of "Just watching" relate to the overall theme of the text?

It emphasizes the importance of objective observation in scientific studies (D) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, which of the following is TRUE about the history of understanding behavior?

The concept of instinctive behavior has been continuously debated and re-evaluated throughout history (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 4: Observation and Description

Observational research differs from experimental research in that investigators do not manipulate variables but describe existing aspects of nature.
Case studies are an observational research method where a thorough investigation of a few or just one case is carried out to find an understanding of an event's nature or implications
Surveys and interviews are used to gather data from large groups, and each group is treated as a part of a whole sample or an entire population;
Participant observation is a research method where investigators become part of the group they're studying, observing from the group's perspective, while studying events;
Direct observation of behavior involves observing subject behavior from outside of a situation, observing behavior from the outside of the situation systematically and carefully;

Chapter 5: Observation and Description II: Some Technical Problems

Scientific theory may align with the user's or reader's beliefs, but this does not necessarily validate the theory
Problems of method:
- Sampling bias: The sample subjects or events might vary from other subjects/events the researcher is interested in
- Observer effects: Subjects or events may behave differently when being observed;
- Observer bias: Researchers may perceive events in accordance to their preconceived notions
- Inferential bias- Conclusions may not be supported by the data observed;
Ways of dealing with these problems:
- Using random sampling in a population, allowing each member of the population to have an equal chance of being selected
- Using unobtrusive measures-observing the residue of a subject's effects or behavior
- Using "blind" observers wherein observers are unaware of the intended outcomes of a study and its hypotheses

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Description

This quiz explores the research conducted at Bennington College regarding student attitudes and social influence. It delves into the primary research questions, trends observed, and the impact of group dynamics on students' views. Test your understanding of this notable study in social psychology.