When stimuli are highly ambiguous, an individual will usually:
A) ignore them.
B) block them out.
C) interpret them according to one's own needs, wishes and interests.
D) interpret them according to what is socially acceptable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When stimuli are highly ambiguous, individuals tend to make interpretations based on their own needs, wishes, and interests, as a way to reduce uncertainty and make sense of the situation. This phenomenon is known as subjective validation or the Barnum effect, and it is often seen in fields such as astrology, fortune-telling, and personality tests. Therefore, option C is the best choice because it reflects this tendency to personalize ambiguous stimuli. Options A and B imply that the individual does not deal with the stimuli at all, which is not always the case, while option D suggests that social norms or ideals influence the interpretation, which may not be true in all situations.

When Stimuli Are Highly Ambiguous, an Individual Will Usually