Question 1

Imagine that you are attending a new high school and would like to make friends.On the first day of school,you observe that all of the students in your homeroom are crumpling paper into balls and throwing them on the floor.You begin to do the same.You have conformed to the group's behavior due to

Accepted Answer

The reason for conforming to the group's behavior of throwing paper balls on the floor is normative social influence. This means a person conforms to the group's behavior to fit in and be accepted by the group. In this scenario, the person is likely conforming as they want to make friends in their new high school.

Question 2

When people conform in attitudes or behaviors in order to be accepted and liked by others,social psychologists say that ____ has occurred.

Accepted Answer

Normative social influence refers to the tendency for people to conform in order to be accepted and liked by others. It is different from informational social influence, which involves conforming because we believe others have more accurate information or knowledge. Contagion refers to the spread of emotions, behaviors, or attitudes within a group. Social approval is a component of normative social influence.

Question 3

In essence,normative social influence arises from humans' fundamental

Accepted Answer

Normative social influence refers to the tendency to conform to social norms in order to be accepted and liked by others. This arises from the basic human need for companionship, affection, and acceptance from others. It is different from informational social influence, which arises from the need for accuracy in one's perceptions and beliefs about the world. Choice A is incorrect because normative social influence does not arise from selfishness. Choice D is incorrect because normative social influence is not necessarily related to submission to authorities.

Question 4

When it comes to informational social influence processes,we are more likely to conform with experts' ideas and behaviors than with nonexperts' because

Accepted Answer

Experts are viewed as more credible sources of information, thus we are more likely to conform with their ideas and behaviors. This is because they have demonstrated knowledge and skill in a particular domain, and are seen as trustworthy sources of accurate information. Social norms may play a role in our obedience to experts, but it is primarily the perception of their credibility that shapes our conformity. The other options (B and D) may contribute to our conformity in some situations, but they are not as consistently powerful as the influence of expertise.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a social norm in mainstream U.S.culture?

Accepted Answer

Using your turn signal to indicate which direction you will be turning is a social norm in mainstream U.S. culture. It is expected and considered polite for drivers to use their turn signals to indicate their movement on the road.

Question 6

When someone is bullied by means of a cell phone or Internet,this is called

Accepted Answer

Cyberbullying is the term used to describe bullying behavior that takes place over digital devices such as cell phones, computers, and tablets.

Question 7

In Japan,some teens become hikikomori,often after being victims of severe bullying.Someone who is hikikomori can be described as

Accepted Answer

Being a hikikomori means withdrawing from all social interactions, which is the opposite of being gregarious and outgoing. It does not necessarily mean being schizophrenic and paranoid, or extremely aggressive towards others. However, it can be a result of being a victim of severe bullying.

Question 8

Going along with the crowd (e.g.,swallowing goldfish,smoking pot,train-surfing)because of a fear of social exclusion is an example of

Accepted Answer

Normative social influence refers to conforming to the expectations of others in order to fit in and avoid rejection or social exclusion. This is often seen in situations such as peer pressure or group dynamics, where individuals engage in behaviors that are deemed acceptable or popular within the group. Examples of normative social influence include participating in hazing rituals or conforming to dress codes in certain social situations.

Question 9

People are motivated to impose clear definitions on ambiguous situations.All of the following processes except ____ are used to resolve ambiguity of information.

Accepted Answer

The answer of People are motivated to impose clear definitions...

Question 10

Informational social influence is to ____ as normative social influence is to ____.

Accepted Answer

Informational social influence refers to the influence that others have on our behavior because we believe that they have accurate information and we want to be correct. Normative social influence, on the other hand, refers to the influence that others have on our behavior because we want to fit in with the group and be accepted. Private acceptance (believing in and accepting the group's viewpoint) is associated with informational social influence, while public compliance (conforming to the group's viewpoint without necessarily believing in it) is associated with normative social influence. Therefore, the best answer is B, as private acceptance is associated with informational social influence, and public compliance is associated with normative social influence.

Question 11

Priscilla is on her way to a concert and has gotten lost.Which of the following people,based on information from your text about informational social influence,would she be most likely to ask for directions?

Accepted Answer

Priscilla would likely ask a police officer for directions because they are seen as an authoritative source of information and have expertise in navigating the area.

Question 12

Deviant behavior is usually met with rejection,but in Japan,deviants in school tend to be shunned and harassed by their entire class or school.Such treatment is particularly psychologically damaging in Japan because the culture

Accepted Answer

Japan emphasizes cohesion and group harmony, so deviants in school tend to be shunned and harassed by their entire class or school. This treatment can be particularly psychologically damaging in Japan's culture.

Question 13

In Japan some teens withdraw from all social interaction.These teens,called hikikomori,are likely to be so withdrawn as a result of

Accepted Answer

Hikikomori often withdraw due to severe bullying, which can lead to social anxiety and a desire to avoid further negative interactions.

Question 14

Many U.S.troops present at My Lai later reported that they were frightened and confused about whether people in the villages were really enemy soldiers.Others reported that they didn't know whether the rifle fire they heard was from enemy guns or from the guns of fellow troops.Still,frightened and bewildered,many of them began setting fire to hooches and shooting old men,women,and children.This tragic example illustrates that informational influence is most likely to occur when

Accepted Answer

In the My Lai massacre, the soldiers were in a chaotic and confusing situation that they interpreted as a crisis, which contributed to their informational influence. They were unsure of whether the people in the villages were enemy soldiers or civilians, and this uncertainty led to their reliance on the actions of their fellow soldiers to determine appropriate behavior. Therefore, the best choice is B: situations are interpreted as a crisis. The other options, such as authorities modeling appropriate behavior or charismatic leaders providing a new definition of reality, are not as relevant to this specific scenario.

Question 15

When you and your friends greet each other,it's customary for you to give each other a special,complicated handshake.This handshake can be considered the ____ for greeting each other in your group.

Accepted Answer

Social norm refers to the unwritten rules that govern behavior in a particular group or society. The special handshake that the friends have developed is a social norm specific to their group.

Question 16

Individuals who have been deprived of human contact for long periods of time tend to experience

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that social isolation and deprivation can cause severe psychological and physiological effects such as anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and even increased mortality rates. This suggests that individuals who have been deprived of human contact for long periods of time are likely to experience stress and trauma rather than contentment or an increased desire to help others.

Question 17

Which type of conformity is most at odds with our cultural ethos of individualism and independence and most closely matches the negative stereotypes of those who conform as "weaklings"?

Accepted Answer

Normative conformity involves conforming to the expectations of others in order to be accepted and avoid rejection or disapproval. This type of conformity is often seen as most at odds with cultural values of individualism and independence, as it involves prioritizing fitting in and being liked over expressing one's own unique identity. It is also most closely associated with negative stereotypes of conformity as a sign of weakness, as individuals who conform normatively may be perceived as lacking confidence or independent thinking.

Question 18

The concept of social norms refers to

Accepted Answer

Social norms are the rules that a group has for acceptable behavior, which can be implicit or explicit. These norms govern how people behave in social situations and help to establish social order by providing a shared understanding of what is acceptable behavior in a particular group or society. The other answer choices are not as comprehensive in their definition of social norms.

Question 19

____ conformity is to the desire to be right as ____ conformity is to the desire to be liked.

Accepted Answer

Informational conformity is driven by the desire to be correct in situations where the right course of action is uncertain, relying on the behavior of others as a guide. Normative conformity, on the other hand, is motivated by the desire to fit in or be liked by others, leading individuals to conform to the expectations of a social group even if they might personally disagree.

Question 20

The authors of your text report instances of teens "surfing" on the tops of electric trains in Brazil,and on cars in the U.S.and Australia.Which of the following best explains such dangerous behavior?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The authors of your text report instances...

Quiz 8: Conformity: Influencing Behavior