Social Influence: Exploring How Others Shape Our Thoughts and Behaviors

Question 1

Which of the following is a key factor that does NOT contribute to social influence?

Accepted Answer

Independent thinking

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 2

In the classic Milgram experiment, participants obeyed the experimenter's commands to administer electric shocks to another person primarily because they:

Accepted Answer

Believed the experimenter held legitimate authority.

Answer

Feared negative consequences for disobeying.

Answer

Were motivated by compassion for the victim.

Answer

Had a personal connection with the experimenter.

Question 3

Which of the following techniques in persuasion involves appealing to people's emotions and fears?

Accepted Answer

Fear appeals

Answer

Logical arguments

Answer

Social comparison

Answer

Expert testimony

Question 4

In the case of the Jonestown Massacre, cult members' extreme obedience to Jim Jones was primarily attributed to:

Accepted Answer

A combination of all the above factors

Answer

Obedience to authority figures

Answer

Conformity to group norms

Answer

Persuasion through emotional appeals

Question 5

The tendency to perceive oneself as more similar to others than one actually is known as the:

Accepted Answer

False consensus effect

Answer

Social identity theory

Answer

Projection bias

Answer

Self-serving bias

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a type of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Altruism

Answer

Compliance

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 7

Which option is NOT a recognized type of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 8

In the context of persuasion, which of the following is NOT a recognized source of power that can be leveraged by persuaders?

Accepted Answer

Genetic power

Answer

Expert power

Answer

Referent power

Answer

Coercive power

Question 9

Which strategy is most effective for resisting persuasive appeals?

Accepted Answer

Counter-arguing

Answer

Reactance

Answer

Thought-stopping

Answer

Avoidance

Question 10

The bystander effect refers to the phenomenon where:

Accepted Answer

Individuals are less likely to intervene when others are present

Answer

Individuals are more likely to intervene when others are present

Answer

Intervention is only likely when individuals have a personal stake in the situation

Answer

Intervention is only likely when individuals are directly instructed to do so

Question 11

Heuristics in social judgment refer to:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive shortcuts that simplify decision-making

Answer

Complex algorithms that guarantee optimal decisions

Answer

Unconscious biases that influence our perceptions

Answer

Strategies for avoiding social conflict

Question 12

According to the theory of planned behavior, which factors primarily influence an individual's behavior?

Accepted Answer

Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control

Answer

Personality traits, situational factors, and past experiences

Answer

Values, beliefs, and goals

Answer

Culture, socioeconomic status, and social support

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a significant factor influencing social influence?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Norms

Answer

Culture

Question 14

The Asch conformity experiments primarily demonstrated the substantial impact of:

Accepted Answer

Group pressure

Answer

Authority

Answer

Persuasive techniques

Answer

Social validation

Question 15

A defining characteristic of obedience to authority figures is:

Accepted Answer

Automatic compliance

Answer

Limited occurrence

Answer

Resistance to social norms

Answer

Willing participation

Question 16

The central route to persuasion primarily involves:

Accepted Answer

Modifying attitudes through rational arguments

Answer

Influencing behavior using emotional appeals

Answer

Utilizing authority figures to endorse claims

Answer

Encouraging social conformity

Question 17

Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that individuals typically:

Accepted Answer

Modify their beliefs to align with their behavior

Answer

Alter their behavior to align with their beliefs

Answer

Avoid situations that create cognitive dissonance

Answer

Embrace cognitive dissonance as a source of motivation

Question 18

Which of the following best exemplifies normative social influence?

Accepted Answer

Adhering to the opinions held by a majority group

Answer

Obeying instructions given by a police officer

Answer

Modifying behavior to avoid negative consequences

Answer

Adopting the values shared by a close friend

Question 19

The Elaboration Likelihood Model suggests that persuasion is generally more effective when:

Accepted Answer

The audience is highly motivated and attentive

Answer

The audience has limited cognitive abilities

Answer

The message is delivered with strong emotional content

Answer

The audience is distracted by irrelevant information

Question 20

Social loafing refers to the phenomenon in which:

Accepted Answer

Individuals contribute less effort when working within groups

Answer

Individuals contribute more effort when working within groups

Answer

Individuals become more innovative when working within groups

Answer

Individuals are more likely to take personal risks when working within groups

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a primary factor contributing to social influence?

Accepted Answer

Leadership

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 22

Which of the following classic experiments demonstrated the powerful effects of obedience to authority?

Accepted Answer

Milgram's Obedience Experiment

Answer

Asch's Conformity Experiment

Answer

Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance Experiment

Answer

Loftus' Eyewitness Testimony Experiment

Question 23

According to the principle of social proof, people are more inclined to believe something when they observe:

Accepted Answer

Others believing the same thing

Answer

Only a few people believing the same thing

Answer

People in positions of authority endorsing the belief

Answer

Friends and family expressing doubt about the belief

Question 24

Which type of cognitive bias makes individuals more susceptible to social influence by leading them to seek information that confirms their existing beliefs?

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Availability heuristic

Answer

Framing effect

Answer

Hindsight bias

Question 25

Which strategy can be employed to strengthen resistance to social influence?

Accepted Answer

Utilizing all of the above strategies

Answer

Developing mindfulness and self-awareness

Answer

Seeking support from like-minded individuals

Answer

Cultivating high self-esteem

Question 26

Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to social influence?

Accepted Answer

Intelligence

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 27

The Milgram experiment demonstrated the power of which type of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Obedience

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Persuasion

Answer

Attraction

Question 28

What is the key difference between persuasion and coercion?

Accepted Answer

Persuasion uses rational arguments, while coercion uses threats or force.

Answer

Persuasion is more effective than coercion.

Answer

Coercion is only used in negative situations.

Answer

Persuasion is more likely to produce long-term change.

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to social influence?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Question 30

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies informational social influence?

Accepted Answer

Adjusting one's views after reading a well-reasoned article

Answer

Adhering to a leader's guidance in a group project

Answer

Complimenting someone to gain favor

Answer

Avoiding eye contact with a stranger out of apprehension

Question 31

Which theory proposes that we conform to gain acceptance and avoid rejection?

Accepted Answer

Normative social influence theory

Answer

Social identity theory

Answer

Social exchange theory

Answer

Social comparison theory

Question 32

Which of the following research methods involves creating a scenario where participants are unaware of the study's true intent to examine social influence?

Accepted Answer

Field experiment

Answer

Laboratory experiment

Answer

Participant observation

Answer

Archival analysis

Question 33

Which of the following scenarios demonstrates the effective use of social influence to drive positive societal change?

Accepted Answer

A grassroots campaign leveraging social media to raise awareness about mental health

Answer

A legal mandate requiring citizens to recycle

Answer

A celebrity endorsing a new clothing line

Question 34

The Milgram experiment demonstrated which type of social influence?

Accepted Answer

Obedience

Answer

Persuasion

Answer

Social facilitation

Answer

Conformity

Question 35

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, which route to persuasion involves cognitive effort and careful evaluation of the message's content?

Accepted Answer

Central route

Answer

Peripheral route

Answer

Heuristic route

Answer

Systematic route

Question 36

The theory of planned behavior posits that our intention to perform a behavior is primarily influenced by:

Accepted Answer

Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control

Answer

Values, beliefs, goals

Answer

Social norms, group pressure, peer influence

Answer

Personality traits, environmental factors, past experiences

Question 37

Resisting social influence can be facilitated by employing which strategy?

Accepted Answer

Seeking support from like-minded individuals

Answer

Avoiding social interactions

Answer

Conforming to majority opinion

Answer

Yielding to group pressure

Question 38

Social loafing refers to a phenomenon in which:

Accepted Answer

Individuals exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone

Answer

Individuals exert more effort when working in a group compared to working alone

Answer

Individuals' performance is unaffected by the presence of others

Answer

Individuals engage in competitive behavior to outshine others

Question 39

One potential benefit of social influence is:

Accepted Answer

Encouraging individuals to engage in positive and socially desirable behaviors

Answer

Creating social anxiety and fear of judgment

Answer

Promoting unethical or harmful actions

Answer

Suppressing individual creativity and expression

Question 40

The concept of social proof suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Individuals are more likely to adopt beliefs or behaviors that they observe others engaging in

Answer

Individuals are more likely to conform to social norms when they are explicitly stated

Answer

Individuals are more likely to reject beliefs or behaviors that they observe others engaging in

Answer

Individuals' beliefs and behaviors are solely determined by their personal values