Attitudes, Attributions And Social Cognition – MCQs

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1.What term describes widely accepted mental images of social groups and their members, encompassing typical behaviors and traits?

2.Which of the following statements about the self-serving bias is accurate?

The intensity of the self-serving bias remains consistent across different cultures.People generally credit their achievements to personal qualities while blaming failures on outside circumstances.The self-serving bias is primarily explained by cognitive mechanisms.Assigning success to external factors is known as the self-enhancing bias.

3.Which characteristics of schemas contribute to their effectiveness in organizing our social experiences and information?

Schemas help conserve mental energySchemas improve the ability to remember informationSchemas are formed from expectations and previous experiencesSchemas have the ability to trigger emotional responsesAll of these statements are true

4.Once schemas are developed and reinforced through experience, they become integrated frameworks. Which of the following statements accurately describes the interaction between schemas and new information?

Well-established schemas are easily altered when they encounter contradictory evidence.The concept of exceptions aligning with the rule fits the sub-typing model of how stereotypes evolve.According to the book-keeping model, contradictory examples of a stereotype are placed into special 'exception' categories without altering the main schema.The conversion model suggests schemas are gradually adjusted with every new piece of information received.Schemas remain fixed and do not change regardless of new information.

5.According to Devine's research on stereotype activation, which type of information processing about individuals occurs without conscious awareness, and which type involves intentional and conscious effort?

6.Before applying a framework to a social entity, we must first classify it. Which of the following statements about classification is INCORRECT?

We typically categorize things automatically without much deliberate thought.The foundational research on classification was conducted by cognitive scientist Eleanor Rosch and her team.Classifying events involves greater complexity compared to categorizing non-living objects.Members of a social category that symbolize the entire category are called exemplars.

7.In what way does the ultimate attribution error (UAE) differ from other common attribution biases like the fundamental attribution error, self-serving bias, and actor-observer effect?

UAE is the foundation for all other attribution biasesUAE involves attribution errors made at the group levelUAE exclusively concerns ingroup membersUAE pertains to attribution mistakes made about individualsBoth A and B are correct

8.Based on Kelley’s covariation model, if Sylvia consistently laughs at all comedians, which characteristics best describe her behavior?

9.Although the Jones-Davis (1965) and Kelley (1967) attribution models portray the social perceiver as a logical thinker, research has revealed several common biases in attribution. Which of the following is NOT considered one of these common attribution biases?

The fundamental attribution error.The actor-observer discrepancy.The self-enhancement bias.The critical attribution error.

10.Based on McGuire’s (1969) information-processing model of persuasion, a message must pass through six specific stages to effectively influence behavior. Which of the following is NOT one of these stages?

Stage of gaining attentionStage of memory retentionStage of acceptanceStage of fielding

11.According to the theory of planned behavior, which elements shape an individual's intention to perform a particular behavior?

Personal attitudes toward the behaviorSocial pressures or subjective norms related to the behaviorObjective societal norms influencing the behaviorThe perceived ease or difficulty of executing the behaviorOptions A, B, and D combined

12.Festinger and his team found that participants paid $1 for performing a boring task rated the task more positively than those paid $20. Which psychological theory explains why individuals change their genuine attitudes to align with their previous or current actions?

13.According to Fishbein and Ajzen's research, to establish a strong connection between attitudes and behaviors, it is essential to evaluate several behaviors related to the attitude in question. What is this type of evaluation called?

14.Which of the following best defines a key term related to the behavioural component of attitude?

Counter-attitudinal advocacy refers to adopting and expressing an opinion in a simulated scenario that conflicts with one’s original attitude.Cognitive dissonance theory explains the uncomfortable feeling people experience when their actions do not align with their attitudes, leading them to adjust their behaviour to restore consistency.Self-perception theory suggests that individuals infer their own attitudes by observing their behaviour toward an object, especially when no external justification is apparent.Self-perception occurs when an individual engages in behaviour that directly opposes their initial attitude.

15.Which elements constitute the three-part model of attitude formation?

Thoughts, beliefs, and ideasFavorable, unfavorable, and neutral feelingsAssumptions, facts, and misconceptionsCognitions, feelings, and actionsActions, intentions, and emotions

16.Based on the findings of Petty, Cacioppo, and their team, under what condition do individuals engage in more thoughtful processing of a message and depend less on superficial cues?

The message is easy to rememberThe message holds significant personal importanceThe message contains humorThe message has little personal significanceThe message is delivered by a non-expert