Question 1

Social power is most closely related to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Social power is most closely related to social influence because it involves the capacity to affect the behavior, beliefs, or attitudes of others. This concept is directly linked to the ability to influence, which is a key aspect of power within social contexts.

Question 2

Stanley Milgram's studies on obedience were based in part on his desire to understand which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Stanley Milgram's studies on obedience were significantly motivated by his desire to understand the psychological mechanisms that could explain the willingness of individuals to carry out the orders of authority figures, even to the extent of committing atrocities, as seen during the Holocaust under the regime of Adolf Hitler.

Question 3

The task given to the "learner" in Stanley Milgram's studies on obedience was to

Accepted Answer

In Stanley Milgram's studies on obedience, the task given to the "learner" (who was actually an actor and part of the experimental setup) was to remember which words were associated with other words. The study was designed to measure the willingness of participants to obey an authority figure who instructed them to perform acts conflicting with their personal conscience.

Question 4

In a variation in the original procedure of the experiment by Stanley Milgram, the experimenter was not present in the room, but communicated with the teacher by telephone. In this condition the obedience of the experimental participant

Accepted Answer

When the experimenter was not physically present and gave instructions over the phone, participants felt less compelled to obey, leading to a substantial reduction in obedience. This variation of Milgram's experiment showed the importance of authority presence in eliciting obedience.

Question 5

When participants were allowed to determine their own level of shock in Stanley Milgram's studies on obedience,

Accepted Answer

In Stanley Milgram's studies on obedience, when participants were allowed to determine their own level of shock, they typically set very low levels, indicating a reluctance to harm others when not pressured by authority figures.

Question 6

The most appropriate conclusion to be drawn regarding Stanley Milgram's studies on obedience is that

Accepted Answer

Milgram's studies primarily demonstrated that the social context, including the presence of an authority figure and the setting of the experiment, significantly influences individuals' willingness to obey commands, even to the point of causing harm to others. This highlights the power of situational factors over individual personality traits in determining obedience.

Question 7

According to Bertram Raven, which of the following equations defines power?

Accepted Answer

Bertram Raven's definition of power, particularly in the context of social influence, emphasizes the capacity of one party (A) to influence another party (B). The correct equation, according to Raven, conceptualizes power as the difference between the maximum force A can exert on B and the maximum resistance B can offer against A's influence. This definition underscores the dynamic interplay between the influencer's capabilities and the target's resistances.

Question 8

Which of the following represents an order that leads from power that is likely to produce acceptance to power that is likely to produce compliance?

Accepted Answer

Informational power leads to acceptance as it involves sharing knowledge. Referent power is based on admiration and respect, leading to acceptance. Legitimate power is based on position, leading to compliance. Reward power involves incentives, also leading to compliance.

Question 9

Joyce offers Martha $25.00 to take notes for her in class. Because Martha really needs the money, she feels she cannot refuse the offer. In this case Joyce has used which type of power over Joyce?

Accepted Answer

Joyce has used reward power over Martha by offering her money ($25.00) to take notes for her in class. Reward power is based on the ability to control the allocation of rewards valued by others and to remove negative sanctions. Martha's decision to accept the offer because she needs the money is a response to the incentive provided by Joyce.

Question 10

Alex tells his brother that he is going to tell on him to their parents unless he helps him wash the car. Alex is using which of the following types of power?

Accepted Answer

Alex is using coercive power by threatening to tell on his brother unless he helps him, implying negative consequences for non-compliance.

Question 11

In general _____ will be used more than _____.

Accepted Answer

In general, reward power is used more than coercive power. Reward power is based on the ability to deliver rewards to others for complying with one's wishes, which is often more effective and preferable in maintaining positive relationships and motivating people. Coercive power, on the other hand, relies on the threat of punishment, which can lead to resistance, dissatisfaction, and a negative atmosphere.

Question 12

In the experiments on obedience conducted by Stanley Milgram, the experimenter had ____ power over the teacher.

Accepted Answer

In Stanley Milgram's obedience experiments, the experimenter had legitimate power over the teacher. This is because the participants viewed the experimenter as an authority figure due to his role and the context of a scientific study, thereby granting him the right to direct their actions.

Question 13

Sandy and her younger sister Alexis have been given some cookies to share. Alexis points out to Sandy that it is fair that they each get an equal number of cookies. Which of the following types of power is Alexis using?

Accepted Answer

Alexis is using legitimate power, which is based on the belief that a person has the formal right to make demands and expect compliance and obedience from others. In this case, Alexis is appealing to the fairness and equality principle, which is a legitimate reason for sharing the cookies equally.

Question 14

Health care officials are concerned about a recent movie in which a famous actress is seen smoking cigarettes. The officials are probably concerned that the actress may lead children to begin smoking as a result of her _____ power.

Accepted Answer

Referent power is based on the identification with, attraction to, or respect for the leader. When a famous actress is seen smoking, people, especially children who admire her, might imitate her behavior because they identify with or want to be like her. This is why health care officials are concerned.

Question 15

Men are more likely to use _____ power, whereas women are more likely to use _____ power.

Accepted Answer

Men are more likely to use coercive and reward power, while women are more likely to use legitimate and referent power, reflecting different approaches to influence and leadership.

Question 16

In the research conducted by David Kipnis, college students were able to influence others either by sending messages or by both sending messages and by offering rewards. Kipnis found that the participants who were able to use rewards

Accepted Answer

Kipnis found that participants who could use rewards to influence others tended to view those they influenced more negatively and were less interested in meeting them, indicating a shift in perception towards those they had power over through rewards.

Question 17

Women may have more difficulty than men do assuming positions of power because

Accepted Answer

Acting powerfully is often seen as inconsistent with the female gender stereotype, which traditionally values qualities like nurturance and cooperation over assertiveness and control. This stereotype can create barriers for women in assuming positions of power.

Question 18

Your textbook defines leadership as

Accepted Answer

Leadership is most accurately defined as effectively influencing others to achieve group goals, which encompasses the broader aspects of guiding, motivating, and directing a group to accomplish a common objective.

Question 19

Two measures that have been used to assess leadership are

Accepted Answer

Actual effectiveness and perceived effectiveness are two measures used to assess leadership, focusing on the tangible outcomes of leadership actions and how those actions are viewed by others, respectively.

Question 20

According to the Leadership Categorization Theory of Robert Lord,

Accepted Answer

Leadership Categorization Theory suggests that leaders are more effective when they understand and meet the expectations of their group members. This theory emphasizes the importance of leaders being aware of the perceptions and expectations that followers have of them, which can significantly influence their effectiveness.

Quiz 7: Power and Leadership