Social Cognition: Understanding How We Think About Others

Question 1

What is the fundamental attribution error?

Accepted Answer

Attributing others' behavior solely to internal factors, while ignoring situational factors

Answer

Attributing others' behavior solely to external factors, while ignoring personal factors

Answer

Consistently underestimating the influence of situational factors on behavior

Answer

Consistently overestimating the influence of personal factors on behavior

Question 2

Which type of heuristic involves relying on the most readily accessible information, even if it is not necessarily the most relevant or complete, to make judgments?

Accepted Answer

Availability Heuristic

Answer

Representative Heuristic

Answer

Affect Heuristic

Answer

Anchoring Heuristic

Question 3

What is the "self-serving bias"?

Accepted Answer

Tendency to attribute positive outcomes to our own internal factors and negative outcomes to external factors beyond our control

Answer

Tendency to attribute negative outcomes to our own internal factors and positive outcomes to external factors beyond our control

Answer

Tendency to be more critical of others' behavior than our own

Answer

Tendency to be more forgiving of our own mistakes than others'

Question 4

What is the "actor-observer effect"?

Accepted Answer

Tendency to attribute our own behavior to external factors, while attributing others' behavior to internal factors

Answer

Tendency to attribute others' behavior to external factors, while attributing our own behavior to internal factors

Answer

Tendency to be more critical of our own behavior than others'

Answer

Tendency to be more forgiving of our own mistakes than others'

Question 5

What is the primary goal of social cognition?

Accepted Answer

To comprehend the social world, interact effectively with others, and adapt to social situations

Answer

To develop and maintain a positive self-concept and self-esteem

Answer

To reduce anxiety and uncertainty in social interactions, making us feel more comfortable

Answer

To achieve social power and influence over others, gaining control and status

Question 6

According to the self-serving bias, people tend to:

Accepted Answer

Attribute their failures to external factors and their successes to internal factors.

Answer

Attribute their successes to external factors and their failures to internal factors.

Answer

Avoid taking responsibility for their actions.

Answer

Be more critical of their own behavior.

Question 7

Which theory postulates that individuals rely on mental frameworks called schemas to categorize and interpret social information?

Accepted Answer

Schema theory

Answer

Social cognitive theory

Answer

Attribution theory

Answer

Expectancy-value theory

Question 8

Cognitive dissonance, a key concept in social cognition, primarily functions to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce the discomfort arising from holding conflicting beliefs.

Answer

Increase motivation to change behavior.

Answer

Enhance self-awareness.

Answer

Impair decision-making abilities.

Question 9

Which research method is commonly employed to investigate implicit social cognition?

Accepted Answer

Implicit Association Test (IAT)

Answer

Surveys

Answer

Interviews

Answer

Focus groups

Question 10

Priming, a phenomenon in social cognition, primarily involves:

Accepted Answer

Activating related concepts in memory.

Answer

Altering behavior without conscious awareness.

Answer

Improving problem-solving abilities.

Answer

Enhancing perceptual accuracy.

Question 11

Identify the process that does NOT play a key role in social cognition:

Accepted Answer

Self-expression

Answer

Perception

Answer

Interpretation

Answer

Storage

Question 12

According to the fundamental attribution error, we have a tendency to:

Accepted Answer

Overestimate the influence of internal factors on others' behavior.

Answer

Overestimate the influence of external factors on our own behavior.

Answer

Underestimate the influence of internal factors on our own behavior.

Answer

Underestimate the influence of external factors on others' behavior.

Question 13

Identify the defining characteristic of schemas in social cognition:

Accepted Answer

They provide structured frameworks for interpreting social information.

Answer

They are error-free and completely objective.

Answer

They are solely derived from individual experiences.

Answer

They defy change and adaptation.

Question 14

What is the term for the tendency to ascribe our successes to internal factors and our failures to external factors?

Accepted Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Self-enhancement bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Availability bias

Question 15

Which theory proposes that social roles influence individuals' behavior?

Accepted Answer

Role theory

Answer

Social exchange theory

Answer

Social identity theory

Answer

Social conflict theory

Question 16

Stereotypes can be defined as:

Accepted Answer

Overgeneralized beliefs about specific social groups.

Answer

Infallible and strictly based on objective data.

Answer

Beneficial for society as they facilitate categorization.

Answer

Always positive and affirming.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can reduce prejudice?

Accepted Answer

Intensified intergroup competition

Answer

Interpersonal contact with diverse groups

Answer

Education about social biases

Answer

Cooperative intergroup experiences

Question 18

Social loafing refers to:

Accepted Answer

Reduced group performance due to diffusion of responsibility

Answer

Heightened individual productivity within a group setting

Answer

Improved group coordination and communication

Answer

Increased motivation in group tasks

Question 19

What is the key distinction between implicit and explicit attitudes?

Accepted Answer

Implicit attitudes are hidden and difficult to express, whereas explicit attitudes are readily accessible and easily expressed.

Answer

Implicit attitudes are readily accessible and easily expressed, whereas explicit attitudes are hidden and difficult to express.

Answer

There is no meaningful difference between implicit and explicit attitudes.

Answer

Implicit attitudes are positive and explicit attitudes are negative.

Question 20

How do schemas shape social memory, influencing our recall and interpretation of social cues?

Accepted Answer

Schemas organize social knowledge, affecting our interpretation of new information based on expectations.

Answer

Schemas are only activated in unusual social situations.

Answer

Schemas solely impact social perception, not social memory.

Answer

Schemas develop exclusively in adulthood.

Question 21

In social cognition research, which ethical principles should researchers prioritize?

Accepted Answer

Protecting participants from potential psychological harm

Accepted Answer

Obtaining informed consent from participants

Answer

Misleading participants about the experiment's purpose

Question 22

How do cultural factors influence an individual's social cognition, including their perceptions of others and adherence to social norms?

Accepted Answer

Cultural factors shape social cognition by influencing beliefs, values, and expectations.

Answer

Cultural factors have no significant impact on social cognition.

Answer

Cultural factors only affect perceptions of others, not social norms.

Question 23

The common bias in which we attribute others' behavior to internal factors rather than external situations is known as:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Actor-observer effect

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 24

Which theory posits that individuals utilize mental frameworks called schemas to organize and interpret social information?

Accepted Answer

Schema theory

Answer

Social cognitive theory

Answer

Attribution theory

Answer

Information-processing theory

Question 25

The process of forming impressions about others based on limited information is termed:

Accepted Answer

Halo effect

Answer

Priming

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Implicit bias

Question 26

The tendency to selectively recall information that aligns with our existing beliefs is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Hindsight bias

Answer

Illusion of control

Answer

Self-justification

Question 27

Which research method involves synthesizing findings from multiple studies to draw broader conclusions?

Accepted Answer

Meta-analysis

Answer

Survey

Answer

Experiment

Answer

Case study

Question 28

The capacity to comprehend and share the emotional experiences of others is known as:

Accepted Answer

Empathy

Answer

Sympathy

Answer

Mindfulness

Answer

Perspective-taking

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a recognized level of social cognition?

Accepted Answer

Extraterrestrial

Answer

Intrapersonal

Answer

Interpersonal

Answer

Transpersonal

Question 30

The tendency to overestimate the impact of one's own actions on events is known as:

Accepted Answer

Illusion of control

Answer

Actor-observer effect

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Question 31

Which of the following is a key component of self-concept?

Accepted Answer

Self-schema

Answer

Impression management

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Answer

Social identity theory

Question 32

The tendency to selectively seek out information that aligns with our existing beliefs is known as:

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Priming effect

Answer

Attribution bias

Answer

Hindsight bias

Question 33

The process of conforming our actions and beliefs to align with group norms is known as:

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Group polarization

Answer

Social facilitation

Question 34

The theory of reasoned action suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Our intention to behave is influenced by our attitudes and social norms

Answer

Our attitudes directly determine our behavior

Answer

Our social norms have no influence on our behavior

Answer

External factors do not affect our behavior

Question 35

The tendency to attribute positive traits to individuals within our own social group is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

In-group favoritism

Answer

Outgroup homogeneity bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Self-serving bias

Question 36

Which of the following best defines social cognition?

Accepted Answer

The scientific study of how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to information about themselves and others in social situations

Answer

The process by which people acquire knowledge and understanding about their culture

Answer

The personal beliefs and attitudes individuals hold about themselves

Answer

The everyday interactions between people in social settings

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a key component of social cognition?

Accepted Answer

Positive Emotion

Answer

Memory

Answer

Attribution

Answer

Attention

Question 38

Which of the following is an example of a top-down process in social cognition?

Accepted Answer

Interpreting a person's behavior based on pre-existing stereotypes

Answer

Remembering a conversation you had

Answer

Attributing a person's success to effort

Answer

Recognizing a familiar face

Question 39

How does social identity impact our thinking and interactions?

Accepted Answer

Social identity influences how we see ourselves, group others, and make judgments.

Answer

Social identity completely controls our thoughts and actions.

Answer

Social identity has no effect on our mental processes.

Question 40

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of social cognition?

Accepted Answer

People actively process social information to construct meaning and make sense of the social world

Answer

Social cognition is solely influenced by unconscious processes

Answer

All social information is accurately perceived and remembered

Question 41

The tendency to attribute another's behavior to internal factors, rather than external situations, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental attribution error

Answer

Actor-observer effect

Answer

Self-serving bias

Answer

Confirmation bias

Question 42

Which of the following is a cognitive schema related to social information processing?

Accepted Answer

Person schema

Answer

Event schema

Answer

Object schema

Answer

Nature schema

Question 43

According to the Elaboration Likelihood Model, which route to persuasion involves deep thinking and careful evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Central route

Answer

Heuristic route

Answer

Peripheral route

Answer

Cognitive route

Question 44

The tendency to perceive others as more similar to oneself than they actually are is called:

Accepted Answer

Similarity bias

Answer

Stereotyping

Answer

Contrast effect

Answer

Halo effect

Question 45

Which of the following is a key characteristic of emotional intelligence?

Accepted Answer

Ability to accurately perceive, understand, and manage one's own and others' emotions

Answer

High IQ

Answer

Extensive knowledge of vocabulary

Answer

Strong physical fitness

Question 46

The process of constructing a holistic mental representation of another person is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Impression formation

Answer

Schema activation

Answer

Attribution

Answer

Social comparison

Question 47

You meet someone new and immediately assume they are friendly based on their warm smile and positive demeanor. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Forming a first impression.

Answer

Confirmation bias.

Answer

Attribution theory.

Answer

Social comparison.

Question 48

You are more likely to remember a negative interaction with a colleague than a positive one. This is due to:

Accepted Answer

The negativity bias.

Answer

The availability heuristic.

Answer

The halo effect.

Answer

The representativeness heuristic.

Question 49

You see a classmate struggling with a task and offer to help. This demonstrates:

Accepted Answer

Prosocial behavior.

Answer

Social facilitation.

Answer

Social inhibition.

Answer

Social comparison.

Question 50

You tend to overestimate the likelihood of events that are easily recalled, like plane crashes. This is due to:

Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic.

Answer

The confirmation bias.

Answer

The representativeness heuristic.

Answer

The anchoring bias.

Question 51

A job applicant's perceived intelligence is influenced by their impressive resume. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The halo effect.

Answer

The primacy effect.

Answer

The recency effect.

Answer

The horns effect.

Question 52

A student performs better on an exam when surrounded by other students. This illustrates:

Accepted Answer

Social facilitation.

Answer

Groupthink.

Answer

Social loafing.

Answer

Social inhibition.