Question 1

Consistent with what is known about group polarization,Schkade and Sunstein (2003)found that on federal appellate court cases,a Republican judge sitting with two other Republican judges voted _____ than when sitting with one Democratic judge.

Accepted Answer

Group polarization refers to the phenomenon where group discussion tends to shift group members' opinions towards the extreme. In this case, since the judges are all Republican, the group polarization effect would likely lead them to become more conservative in their voting when they are in a group. Schkade and Sunstein's finding that the judges voted more conservatively when sitting with two other Republican judges suggests that group polarization is at work in this context.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of group polarization in one's community?

Accepted Answer

Group polarization refers to the tendency for a group to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members. Gang delinquency is an example where group dynamics can lead to more extreme behavior than individuals might exhibit alone.

Question 3

Which one of the following is NOT an explanation for group polarization?

Accepted Answer

Social facilitation is a process by which the presence of others enhances an individual's performance on a task. It is not an explanation for group polarization, which refers to the tendency for group discussion to intensify group members' initial opinions and attitudes. The other answer choices are all explanations for group polarization: 
A) informational influence refers to the impact of information shared within the group on individuals' opinions and attitudes;
B) normative influence refers to the desire to conform to social norms or the expectations of others within the group;
D) desire to be accepted refers to the influence of social identity and the need to belong to a group, which may lead individuals to adopt more extreme positions that align with the group's values and beliefs.

Question 4

You are hesitant to ask questions in class because you assume everyone else understands and you would therefore seem foolish.Your thinking best exemplifies

Accepted Answer

This thinking best exemplifies pluralistic ignorance, which occurs when people assume that others have knowledge or expertise that they themselves lack, resulting in a collective misinterpretation of a situation or issue. In this case, the assumption that everyone else in the class understands may lead to a reluctance to ask questions for fear of appearing ignorant, perpetuating the cycle of misunderstanding.

Question 5

Evaluating one's opinions and abilities by comparing oneself to others is called

Accepted Answer

The given scenario describes the social comparison theory, which involves evaluating one's opinions and abilities by comparing oneself to others. Thus, option D is the correct answer. Option A, informational influence processing, refers to using the opinions or ideas of others to form one's own opinion. Option B, normative influence processing, involves conforming to the norms of a group to be accepted. Option C, the reactance theory, explains that individuals react against threats to their freedom by exhibiting a behavior opposite to what is expected.

Question 6

Individuals who believe that physician-assisted suicides should be legalized meet to discuss the issue.Research on group interaction suggests that after the discussion the individuals will be

Accepted Answer

Research on group polarization suggests that when individuals with similar views discuss an issue, they tend to become more convinced and extreme in their beliefs.

Question 7

The text suggests that the extremism of terrorist organizations,such as those involved in the September 11th attacks on the United States,is very likely the result of the naturally occurring process of

Accepted Answer

Group polarization is the process through which a group's initial attitudes or beliefs become more extreme after group discussions. In the case of terrorist organizations, members are often recruited based on shared beliefs and ideologies, which can lead to group polarization and the adoption of more extreme views and behaviors. This process can contribute to the development of a culture of extremism within the organization, which may lead to actions such as the September 11th attacks.

Question 8

Maggie favors the death penalty.In discussing this issue with some like-minded classmates,she hears arguments for this position that she has never considered before.After the discussion,her opinion is more extreme.This outcome is best explained by

Accepted Answer

Informational influence processes refer to the way people change their attitudes or opinions due to taking in information from others. In this scenario, Maggie had never considered the arguments presented by her classmates before, and after hearing them, she changed her opinion to become more extreme. This suggests that her opinion was influenced by the new information she received, indicating an informational influence process.

Question 9

Myers and Bishop (1970)organized groups of prejudiced and unprejudiced high school students and asked them to respond to issues involving racial attitudes,both before and after group discussion.Results showed that after within-group discussion,_______ became _______.

Accepted Answer

The study found that after group discussions, the differences in racial attitudes between the prejudiced and unprejudiced groups became greater, indicating polarization.

Question 10

According to Festinger (1954),it is human nature to want to evaluate our opinions by

Accepted Answer

Festinger's theory of social comparison suggests that individuals tend to evaluate their opinions and abilities by comparing themselves with others. This process of comparison helps people to validate their beliefs and provides a frame of reference for understanding their own abilities and limitations. Therefore, choice A is the best answer. Choices B, C, and D are not supported by Festinger's theory of social comparison.

Question 11

What underlying processes help to explain the occurrence of group polarization?

Accepted Answer

Group polarization can be explained by both informational influences, where individuals seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and attitudes, and normative influences, where individuals conform to the perceived norms and values of their group in order to gain acceptance and approval. These processes can lead to a strengthening and reinforcement of preexisting attitudes, causing the group to become more extreme in their views.

Question 12

The fact that active participation in discussion produces more polarization is best explained by

Accepted Answer

Active participation in discussion often leads to exposure to more information and arguments, which may influence individuals to take more extreme positions. This is known as informational influence processes.

Question 13

Students who join extracurricular groups on campus tend to find their attitudes regarding the groups' purpose increase if they stay in the group.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of group polarization, which occurs when group members’ attitudes become more extreme and more clearly defined as a result of group discussion or interaction. In this case, students who join an extracurricular group on campus may start with relatively neutral or moderate attitudes, but as they participate more fully in the group, they become more invested in and enthusiastic about the group’s purpose. This is an example of group polarization, as their attitudes become more extreme and more aligned with the group’s perspective.

Question 14

Group polarization occurs when group discussion _______ group members' initial inclinations.

Accepted Answer

Group polarization occurs when group discussion strengthens group members' initial inclinations. This means that after discussing a topic within a group, people tend to become even more extreme in their initial beliefs or opinions. This phenomenon can occur because group members validate and reinforce each other's views, leading to a more extreme position than any individual member's initial stance.

Question 15

The fact that people associate mostly with others whose attitudes are similar to their own suggests the prevalence of naturally occurring

Accepted Answer

Group polarization refers to the phenomenon in which the attitudes of individuals within a group become stronger and more extreme over time as a result of group discussion and reinforcement. This can occur because individuals are exposed to arguments and information that support their existing beliefs and attitudes, leading them to become even more entrenched in their views. As a result, groups may become more cohesive and homogeneous over time, with individuals seeking out others who hold similar beliefs and attitudes to their own. This can perpetuate and reinforce group polarization, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of increased extremism and homogeneity within the group.

Question 16

Wright (2003)suggested that the Internet is an effective means to rally like-minded people and mobilize lethal consequences,such as recruiting individuals for terror organizations.Which concept in social psychology best explains this trend?

Accepted Answer

Group polarization refers to the tendency for group discussion to shift group members' attitudes to become more extreme in the direction they were already inclined. In the case of terrorist recruitment, like-minded individuals may discuss their radical beliefs and attitudes online, leading to a further polarization and willingness to take extreme actions.

Question 17

_______ in discussion produces more attitude change than does _______.

Accepted Answer

Active participation in a discussion involves actively engaging with the topic and sharing thoughts and ideas. This level of involvement can lead to a greater shift in attitudes compared to passive listening, where an individual is simply receiving information without actively engaging with it. Arguing and agreeing are not necessarily effective or ineffective on their own, as it depends on the context and the individuals involved. Therefore, C is the best choice with the given information.

Question 18

Social comparison is more likely to sway responses on

Accepted Answer

Social comparison involves comparing oneself to others in terms of social and personal attributes, which is more likely to sway responses on value-laden judgments. This is because value judgments are often influenced by subjective opinions and beliefs, which can be easily influenced by social comparison. In contrast, issues that have a factual element, moderate issues, and complex issues are less likely to be swayed by social comparison, as they are more objective and less subject to personal bias.

Question 19

A false impression of what most other people are thinking or feeling,or how they are responding is what social psychologists call

Accepted Answer

Pluralistic ignorance is the false impression that most other people are thinking or feeling differently than we are, or that they are not responding as we are. This can lead to conformity and a reluctance to express one's true thoughts or feelings, as individuals believe they are alone in their thoughts or feelings. The other choices are not as closely related to this concept.

Question 20

Teresa has joined the campus Amnesty International Group,and after attending a few of the meetings now feels even more passionate about human rights.Social psychologists would explain the change in Teresa's opinions using

Accepted Answer

Group polarization occurs when individuals in a group with similar opinions have discussions that cause their opinions to become more extreme. In the case of Teresa joining the Amnesty International Group, her already existing passion for human rights may have been intensified through discussion with like-minded individuals, leading to a more extreme stance on the issue.

Quiz 8: Group Influence

Consistent with what is known about group polarization,Schkade and Sunstein (2003) found that on federal appellate court cases,a Republican judge sitting with two other Republican judges voted _____ than when sitting with one Democratic judge.

Which of the following is an example of group polarization in one's community?

Which one of the following is NOT an explanation for group polarization?

You are hesitant to ask questions in class because you assume everyone else understands and you would therefore seem foolish.Your thinking best exemplifies

Evaluating one's opinions and abilities by comparing oneself to others is called

Individuals who believe that physician-assisted suicides should be legalized meet to discuss the issue.Research on group interaction suggests that after the discussion the individuals will be

The text suggests that the extremism of terrorist organizations,such as those involved in the September 11th attacks on the United States,is very likely the result of the naturally occurring process of

Maggie favors the death penalty.In discussing this issue with some like-minded classmates,she hears arguments for this position that she has never considered before.After the discussion,her opinion is more extreme.This outcome is best explained by

Myers and Bishop (1970) organized groups of prejudiced and unprejudiced high school students and asked them to respond to issues involving racial attitudes,both before and after group discussion.Results showed that after within-group discussion,_ became _.

According to Festinger (1954) ,it is human nature to want to evaluate our opinions by

What underlying processes help to explain the occurrence of group polarization?

The fact that active participation in discussion produces more polarization is best explained by

Students who join extracurricular groups on campus tend to find their attitudes regarding the groups' purpose increase if they stay in the group.This is an example of

Group polarization occurs when group discussion _______ group members' initial inclinations.

The fact that people associate mostly with others whose attitudes are similar to their own suggests the prevalence of naturally occurring

Wright (2003) suggested that the Internet is an effective means to rally like-minded people and mobilize lethal consequences,such as recruiting individuals for terror organizations.Which concept in social psychology best explains this trend?

_ in discussion produces more attitude change than does _.

Social comparison is more likely to sway responses on

A false impression of what most other people are thinking or feeling,or how they are responding is what social psychologists call

Teresa has joined the campus Amnesty International Group,and after attending a few of the meetings now feels even more passionate about human rights.Social psychologists would explain the change in Teresa's opinions using

Quiz 8: Group Influence

Consistent with what is known about group polarization,Schkade and Sunstein (2003) found that on federal appellate court cases,a Republican judge sitting with two other Republican judges voted _____ than when sitting with one Democratic judge.

Which of the following is an example of group polarization in one's community?

Which one of the following is NOT an explanation for group polarization?

You are hesitant to ask questions in class because you assume everyone else understands and you would therefore seem foolish.Your thinking best exemplifies

Evaluating one's opinions and abilities by comparing oneself to others is called

Individuals who believe that physician-assisted suicides should be legalized meet to discuss the issue.Research on group interaction suggests that after the discussion the individuals will be

The text suggests that the extremism of terrorist organizations,such as those involved in the September 11th attacks on the United States,is very likely the result of the naturally occurring process of

Maggie favors the death penalty.In discussing this issue with some like-minded classmates,she hears arguments for this position that she has never considered before.After the discussion,her opinion is more extreme.This outcome is best explained by

Myers and Bishop (1970) organized groups of prejudiced and unprejudiced high school students and asked them to respond to issues involving racial attitudes,both before and after group discussion.Results showed that after within-group discussion,_______ became _______.

According to Festinger (1954) ,it is human nature to want to evaluate our opinions by

What underlying processes help to explain the occurrence of group polarization?

The fact that active participation in discussion produces more polarization is best explained by

Students who join extracurricular groups on campus tend to find their attitudes regarding the groups' purpose increase if they stay in the group.This is an example of

Group polarization occurs when group discussion _______ group members' initial inclinations.

The fact that people associate mostly with others whose attitudes are similar to their own suggests the prevalence of naturally occurring

Wright (2003) suggested that the Internet is an effective means to rally like-minded people and mobilize lethal consequences,such as recruiting individuals for terror organizations.Which concept in social psychology best explains this trend?

_______ in discussion produces more attitude change than does _______.

Social comparison is more likely to sway responses on

A false impression of what most other people are thinking or feeling,or how they are responding is what social psychologists call

Teresa has joined the campus Amnesty International Group,and after attending a few of the meetings now feels even more passionate about human rights.Social psychologists would explain the change in Teresa's opinions using

Myers and Bishop (1970) organized groups of prejudiced and unprejudiced high school students and asked them to respond to issues involving racial attitudes,both before and after group discussion.Results showed that after within-group discussion,_ became _.

_ in discussion produces more attitude change than does _.