Suppose that Sipho has just asked Phindi whether she would like to study with him for an upcoming English exam.Phindi is struggling in the class, and she knows that Sipho is an excellent English student, so she enthusiastically agrees and says that she is excited to study with him.According to error management theory, it is likely that Sipho will view Phindi's enthusiasm as a sign that ____.
A)she has a crush on him
B)she values his intelligence
C)she is using him
D)she is probably being insincere

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Error management theory suggests that people tend to err on the side of caution in social interactions, often interpreting ambiguous signals in a way that minimizes potential costs. In this context, Sipho might interpret Phindi's enthusiasm as a sign of romantic interest, as this would be a more cautious interpretation to avoid missing a potential mating opportunity.

Suppose That Sipho Has Just Asked Phindi Whether She Would