Deck 4: Perception and Interpersonal Communication

Question 1

At which stage of perception do characteristics of the perceiver first begin to influence what that person perceives?

A) selection
B) organization
C) interpretation
D) memory

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following statements correctly explains how personal relevance shapes perception?

A) People infer that others have certain traits based on their beliefs about what sorts of traits go together.
B) People act based on their expectations in a manner that elicits confirming information.
C) People are more likely to pay attention to information that satisfies their expectations, needs, or desires.
D) People place greater emphasis on information they receive first, rather than last.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

During which stage of perception do people make attributions about the causes of events?

A) selection
B) organization
C) interpretation
D) all of the above

Answer 3

C

Question 4

At which stage of perception do people arrange information to create a coherent map of features within the situation?

A) Selection
B) Organization
C) Interpretation
D) All of the above are correct

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT true about the selection stage of perception?

A) We are more likely to select information when it matches our expectations
B) We are more likely to select information when it deviates from norms
C) We are more likely to select information that has personal relevance
D) We are more likely to select information when it is low in sensory intensity

Question 6

Under which conditions are attributions most likely to lead to inferences about a person's traits?

A) when attributions for behavior focus on internal causes
B) when attributions for behavior focus on internal and stable causes
C) when attributions for behavior focus on internal and uncontrollable causes
D) when attributions for behavior focus on internal, stable, and uncontrollable causes

Question 7

Which of the following statements correctly defines the actor-observer effect?

A) People tend to attribute other people's behaviors to internal causes.
B) People tend to attribute their own behaviors to external causes.
C) People tend to assume that they contributed more to a group effort than others.
D) People tend to attribute their successes to internal causes.

Question 8

The fundamental attribution error is:

A) our tendency to explain other people's behaviors as internal.
B) linking negative behaviors to internal and stable causes and positive behaviors to external and unstable causes.
C) unfounded attributes that reflect and contribute to a positive view of the relationship.
D) the cycle of satisfaction and attribution in relationships.

Question 9

Martin saw Sally knock another student to his knees as she rushed into the lecture hall and took a seat in a prime location. He thought to himself that Sally must be a rude, insensitive, and self-centered person. Because Martin blamed Sally's behavior on internal rather than external characteristics, which of the following attribution biases did Martin make?

A) the fundamental attribution error
B) the actor-observer effect
C) both the fundamental attribution error and the actor-observer effect
D) neither the fundamental attribution error nor the actor-observer effect

Question 10

When Chris returned home to the apartment after grocery shopping, Pat became angry because Chris had forgotten to get any ice cream. Chris explained Pat's behavior by reflecting on what a mean and cranky person Pat was. Which of the following best characterizes this attribution?

A) It is an adaptive attribution.
B) It is an external attribution.
C) It is a maladaptive attribution.
D) It is a self-serving attribution.

Question 11

What is the effect of alcohol intoxication on perception, according to alcohol myopia theory?

A) People who are intoxicated have impaired vision.
B) People who are intoxicated are overly influenced by minor details in a situation.
C) People who are intoxicated only notice the most vivid details in a situation.
D) People who are intoxicated can't choose between competing interests.

Question 12

Which of the following statements describes the effects of stereotypes on perception?

A) People are more likely to notice information that is consistent with a stereotype.
B) People see information that supports a stereotype as more central or important.
C) People embellish their perceptions with stereotypical details.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 13

As the driver of a car, you tend to notice and pay attention to traffic signals, other cars on the road, and the speed and operation of your vehicle. As a passenger in the car, you may be less likely to notice these stimuli and more likely to notice things like billboards along the road, shops or restaurants where you might want to stop, and which song is playing on the radio. Which factor affecting the selection stage of perception explains why you notice some things as a driver that you wouldn't notice as a passenger, and vice versa?

A) intensity of stimuli
B) point of view
C) consistency with expectations
D) inconsistency with norms

Question 14

The girl/guy you have a crush on got an F on his/her Algebra test. "It's not his/her fault," you said, "she didn't have time to study because she had dance team practice." This is an example of a(n) ___________ attribute.

A) stable
B) internal
C) controllable
D) external

Question 15

Luke got a phone call from his mother, who was concerned about Luke's younger brother, Ethan. She said that Ethan has been skipping school, staying up late playing online video games, and has stopped staying in shape for the cross-country team. Luke said he thinks Ethan is upset about being dumped by his girlfriend last month, but his mom thinks Ethan has a learning disorder that is making it hard for him to do well in school. Which statement best describes the different kind of attributions Luke and his mom are making?

A) Luke sees the cause as internal, but Mom sees the cause as external.
B) Luke sees the cause as uncontrollable, but Mom sees the cause as controllable.
C) Luke sees the cause as unstable, but Mom sees the cause as stable.
D) Luke sees the cause as global, but Mom sees that cause as local.

Question 16

Which of the following statements correctly describes how relationship satisfaction and attributions are related?

A) People who are dissatisfied in a relationship make maladaptive attributions.
B) People who make maladaptive attributions are more like to communicate destructively.
C) Destructive communication and maladaptive attributions lead to relationship dissatisfaction.
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 17

The extent to which a person tends to explain events in terms of intricate rather than simple causes is known as ___________.

A) cognitive complexity
B) hedonic relevance
C) attributional complexity
D) inhibition conflict