Question 1

According to the authors of your text,one hazard of relying too heavily on folk wisdom is that

Accepted Answer

The authors of the text argue that relying too heavily on folk wisdom can be hazardous because "common sense" is frequently oversimplified or incorrect. They highlight the importance of empirical research and critical thinking skills in overcoming this hazard.

Question 2

Why is it unwise to rely on folk wisdom in explaining human social behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Folk wisdom is often based on anecdotal evidence or traditional beliefs and can be oversimplified or inaccurate when it comes to explaining complex human social behavior. Social psychologists use scientific research methods to study human behavior and provide evidence-based explanations.

Question 3

Social psychologists are most like ________ when they test their hunches about social behaviour.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social psychologists are most like ________ when...

Question 4

What does philosophy have in common with folk wisdom? Both

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does philosophy have in common with...

Question 5

Consider the following pieces of folk wisdom: "Out of sight,out of mind" versus "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." These statements represent which of the following shortcomings of relying on common sense? The common sense of folk wisdom is often

Accepted Answer

These two pieces of folk wisdom contradict each other, illustrating that common sense can be full of contradictory assumptions.

Question 6

Why is a scientific approach preferable to reliance on folk wisdom and common sense?

Accepted Answer

Folk wisdom and common sense often contain contradictory statements, making them unreliable for understanding complex phenomena systematically, unlike the scientific approach which relies on empirical evidence and systematic investigation.

Question 7

Which of the following social phenomena would be of interest to both social psychologists and sociologists?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following social phenomena would...

Question 8

A social psychologist is perplexed.Is it true that birds of a feather flock together,or do opposites attract? Confronted with these two contradictory pieces of folk wisdom,what is this social psychologist most likely to do?

Accepted Answer

The social psychologist is most likely to investigate the different situations in which each bit of common sense holds true. This would involve conducting empirical research to determine under what circumstances similarity or dissimilarity between individuals leads to attraction.

Question 9

One of the tasks of the social psychologist is to

Accepted Answer

Making educated guesses about specific situations is a key task of social psychologists. They use scientific methods to test their hypotheses and theories, but they must first formulate educated guesses about what variables may be important in a given situation. Social psychologists must also be able to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world problems and situations.

Question 10

Your roommate left her homework on the couch,where you plan to watch TV.When you move her work,you notice that she is reading an article about how to decide whether someone really likes her.You conclude that your roommate is taking a class in

Accepted Answer

The article suggests that the roommate is learning about the factors that influence attraction and relationships, which is a topic typically covered in social psychology courses. The other choices do not necessarily focus on this subject matter.

Question 11

Consider the following research question: "Have no-fault divorce laws increased the rate of divorce in the United States?" This question would most likely be asked by

Accepted Answer

This research question concerns an aspect of society and its impact on divorce rates, which falls within the domain of sociology.

Question 12

When social psychologists want to test their hunches about why people help others,they are most likely to

Accepted Answer

Social psychologists typically conduct experiments to test hypotheses and understand causal relationships in human behavior, including why people help others.

Question 13

Journalists,politicians,and our grandmothers are most likely to rely on ________ to explain social influence.

Accepted Answer

Common sense is often relied upon by those who may not have access to or be familiar with empirical data or public opinion polls. Journalists, politicians, and even grandmothers may base their understanding of social influence on their own observations and personal experiences. While empirical data and public opinion polls can provide valuable insights, common sense can also play a significant role in explaining social influence.

Question 14

Professor Hume has spent the last 10 years studying the factors that cause individuals to aggress.She is most likely to be

Accepted Answer

The study of the factors that cause individuals to aggress is within the domain of social psychology. Sociology, anthropology, and economics may overlap with social psychology in some areas, but they focus on different aspects of human behavior and society. Philosophy, on the other hand, may deal with aggression as a topic of moral inquiry, but it does not provide empirical evidence or data-driven explanations for the causes of aggression.

Question 15

When Prya and Mohammed returned home after a night on the town,they found their baby crying because her diaper needed to be changed.The babysitter was sitting in front of the television,ignoring the baby's crying.Mohammed and Prya decided that the babysitter was callous and uncaring,and they swore that they would never hire her again.Mohammed and Prya's interpretation of the babysitter's actions was based on

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Prya and Mohammed returned home after...

Question 16

Social psychologists differ from journalists in that social psychologists

Accepted Answer

Social psychologists rely on empirical arguments, meaning they use research and data to support their conclusions, while journalists often rely on anecdotes or quotes from individuals to support their arguments. Additionally, social psychologists are bound by a code of ethics to ensure the safety and well-being of their participants, while journalists may prioritize getting a story first over the potential harm it may cause.

Question 17

The social science that focuses on "macro" variables like social class is

Accepted Answer

Sociology focuses on studying macro variables such as social class, while social psychology focuses on individual behavior and attitudes. Anthropology studies different cultures and societies, while philosophy is concerned with examining fundamental questions related to existence, reality, and knowledge. Economics is a social science, but its focus is on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services rather than social class.

Question 18

Which question about romantic relationships is a sociologist most likely to ask?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists are interested in studying broader social patterns and trends, including changes in social norms and values. The decrease in marriage rates among lower classes is a sociological phenomenon that can be explored through analysis of economic, cultural, and structural factors.

Question 19

Consider the following research question: "How has new computer technology changed the Canadian educational system?" This question is most likely to be asked by

Accepted Answer

This question is examining the impact of a technological advancement on a specific system, which is a topic that falls within the realm of sociology.

Question 20

Both social psychologists and sociologists are interested in aggression.Compared to sociologists,which of the following questions is a social psychologist most likely to ask?

Accepted Answer

Social psychologists are more interested in the psychological factors that lead to aggression, such as frustration, than in external factors like gun laws, prisons, or policing.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Social Psychology