Social Psychology Part 2 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What main feeling does the described situation in the content lead to?

Excitement

Powerlessness (correct)

Confidence

Joy

What approach is suggested for guards regarding their treatment of prisoners?

To physically harm them

To provide them with freedom of choice

To disrespect them and make them feel helpless (correct)

To treat them equally and with respect

What criticism is directed at the prison simulation studies mentioned?

They required a large sample size

They involved unethical and abusive practices (correct)

They used only female participants

They had high financial costs

What type of attribution involves identifying behavior based on the environment?

Situational attribution Signup and view all the answers

What is the Fundamental Attribution Error?

Overestimating personal traits to explain others' behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which bias allows individuals to select excuses that protect their self-esteem?

Self-serving bias Signup and view all the answers

What factor did Carnahan and McFarland find in participants who signed up for a prison simulation?

Higher levels of aggressiveness Signup and view all the answers

What attribution is likely made when someone perceives that a rude person is inherently mean?

Dispositional attribution Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of situational attribution?

External factors affecting behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates cognitive dissonance?

Believing that smoking is unhealthy but continuing to smoke Signup and view all the answers

What is a self-serving bias?

Attributing failure to external circumstances Signup and view all the answers

How can cognitive dissonance affect personal behavior?

It may cause individuals to justify conflicting beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What can be a negative consequence of reducing cognitive dissonance?

Dismissal of conflicting evidence Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is an example of dispositional attribution?

They didn't study hard for the test. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the tendency to uphold one's own beliefs while ignoring opposing evidence?

Confirmation bias Signup and view all the answers

How does cognitive dissonance relate to emotional discomfort?

It causes feelings of uncomfortableness due to conflicting beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between social norms and social roles?

Social norms dictate what is considered appropriate behavior, while social roles define positions governed by specific rules. Signup and view all the answers

Which term defines a generalized belief about a group of people?

Stereotype Signup and view all the answers

What effect can ingroup favoritism have on perceptions of group members?

It leads to a more positive view of members within one's own group. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of modern discrimination?

It often manifests in subtle, covert ways. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main finding of the Stanford Prison Experiment?

Assigned roles can severely affect behavior and lead to cruelty. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes cognitive dissonance?

The discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'minimal groups effect' refer to?

The tendency to favor one's group even in arbitrary circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes prejudice?

Prejudice refers to a negative attitude towards a specific group. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential outcome of the contact hypothesis?

It can reduce prejudice through positive interactions with outgroup members. Signup and view all the answers

How does social identity affect an individual's self-concept?

It enhances self-esteem by associating with group success. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors is consistent with discrimination?

Unequally treating individuals based on their group membership. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant aspect of the Robbers Cave Experiment?

It highlighted the impact of arbitrary group formations. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes implicit social norms?

They include unspoken expectations about behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies the concept of stereotype threat?

An employee feels anxious about confirming negative stereotypes associated with their group. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social psychology's part 2 covers social norms, social roles, social identity, in-groups and out-groups, the Robbers Cave Experiment, Stereotypes, Prejudice, Discrimination, the Stanford Prison Experiment, attributions, the fundamental attribution error, and cognitive dissonance.

Learning Outcomes

Compare social norms and social roles
Define stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination
Explain in-groups and out-groups, their influence on thinking
Discuss the fundamental attribution error and cognitive dissonance
Outline and critique the Stanford Prison Experiment

Social norms are rules about how to act
Enforced by punishment or reward
Accepted or ostracized
Explicit norms: "please" and "thank you", don't ask age or weight
Implicit norms: don't face backwards in an elevator, don't massage feet on a plane

A given social position governed by rules for behavior
Examples include parent, doctor, citizen, leader, gender roles
Roles can vary by culture and can fluctuate (student vs. friend)

Part of a person's self-concept based on groups they belong to (national, religious, cultural, ethnic)
Identify with groups, attached emotionally to groups, influenced by the group's norms, values, and roles
Having multiple social identities is possible

In-Groups and Out-Groups

Social identity creates in-groups and out-groups
In-group favoritism: being more generous with in-group members, taking credit for in-group successes, remembering more positive traits of in-group members, being less critical of in-group members

Robbers Cave Experiment

Two groups (Eagles and Rattlers) were created at a boyscout camp
Groups worked together on team-building projects
Then, competed against each other, becoming very competitive and at times aggressive
Cooperation activities (pulling a truck up a hill, watching a movie) were introduced.
Cooperation led to positive interactions between the groups, reducing the "us vs. them" mentality, and even an increase in friendships between the groups

Stereotypes

Can be positive or negative
Used to predict behavior
Can over-exaggerate group differences
Promote confirmation bias (looking for and accepting information that agrees with existing beliefs)
Underestimate within-group differences

Prejudice

Generalized attitude toward a group
Example: Dislike for New Yorkers

Discrimination

Behaviors directed toward people based on group membership
Example: Denying someone a job based on race or gender

Traditional vs. Modern Discrimination

Traditional discrimination is institutionalized, like segregation or Jim Crow laws.
Modern discrimination is covert and subtle.

Prejudice Reduction

Contact hypothesis suggests that positive contact with out-group members reduces prejudice and stereotyping, with increased perception of out-group diversity
Friendships with out-group members can promote empathy and perspective-taking

Stanford Prison Experiment

Simulated prison environment in Stanford University basement
Assigned 24 students randomly as guards or prisoners
Prisoners wore uniforms, and numbers, while guards had specific outfits and were given power
Guards became increasingly abusive and cruel towards prisoners over time
Study ended early (after six days) because of the excessive mistreatment

Criticisms of the Prison Experiment

Not ethical, because it was abusive, and not voluntary
Selection bias - participants were likely to behave in the way that they were expected to
Demand characteristics–participants tried to fulfill the role they were given
Only a fraction of guards were cruel, so the experiment did not entirely show how a situation or role can influence behavior

Attributions

We try to explain the behavior of ourselves and others
Situational attribution: Cause attributed to the situation
Dispositional attribution:Cause is attributed to the personality of the person

Fundamental Attribution Error

Overestimate dispositional attributions for others and underestimate situational attributions for our self
Self-serving bias: Choosing thoughts that make us feel good about ourselves to protect self-esteem

Cognitive Dissonance

Occurs when attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors contradict each other
People attempt to reduce the discomfort by changing attitudes, beliefs, or behavior, and/or rationalizing them

Confirmation Bias

People tend to seek out and favor information that confirms their existing beliefs while dismissing information that challenges them. This bias is a means to reduce cognitive dissonance.

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Description

This quiz explores critical concepts from Social Psychology Part 2, including social norms, roles, and identity. You will examine key experiments like the Stanford Prison Experiment and discuss stereotypes, prejudice, and the impact of in-groups and out-groups. Test your understanding of fundamental attribution error and cognitive dissonance in this comprehensive review.