Behavior & Attitudes
Note: These questions are part of a larger data base of questions on Chapter 4. The
questions are selected to represent the type of question you should expect on unit exam one. You
can, in fact, expect to see many of these very same questions on that exam. Exam questions, however,
may deal with topics not covered in the self tests or in lectures but are discussed in your textbook. You
are responsible for the content of your text book plus the content of lectures, interactive activities,
& material on the web site.
Use these sample questions to test yourself & to practice for the test.
1. Carl Festinger found that feelings of tension arise when one is simultaneously aware of two inconsistent
cognitions (e.g., dating someone even though you think that person is mean & ugly). He called this:
cognitive conformity.
cognitive compliance.
cognitive dissonance.
cognitive obsolescence.
2. According to self-perception theory, we learn about ourselves
through years of psychoanalysis.
through direct awareness of inner thoughts & feelings.
through stories we construct and share with one another.
by looking at our behaviors and inferring our internal states.
3. According to cognitive dissonance theory, people seek to avoid
excessive stimulation.
people who are argumentative.
music which is not harmonious.
rebellious or negative reactions.
contradictions between behaviors & beliefs.
4. Which of the following would be the best example of lowballing?
stooping to a low personal insult
pitching the ball below the batter's knees
selling at a lower price than any competitor
delivering less than was promised after a decision has been made
using words too simple or to complex for the sophistication of the buyer
5. Cognitive dissonance theory is a theory of
value.
learning.
consistency
critical cognition.
6. Which of the following statements about the effects of moral & immoral action is correct?
both evil acts & moral acts can shape the self.
moral acts are internalized only if they are prompted by significant rewards or threats.
people induced to act in evil ways quickly renounce this pattern, whereas those who
are coaxed to do good continue the pattern.
none of the above.
7. Attitudes are _______ that can influence our reactions.
behaviors
intentions
memories
beliefs & feelings
8. An attitude will be only weakly linked to behavior when
the attitude is not very salient.
the attitude is not specific to the behavior.
behavior is subject to lots of other influences.
all of the above are true.
9. Which of the following terms refers to actions expected of those who occupy a particular social position?
role
status
intentions
constellation
10. Which of the following is an example that illustrates the power of self-persuasion - of attitudes following behavior?
role playing
interracial desegregation
the foot-in-the-door principle
all of these are examples of attitudes following behavior
11. Saying is most likely to become believing when
we already believe it anyway.
we are given no choice but to say it.
we are not forced or bribed into saying it.
we have said something positive but not negative.
12. if you want people to do a big favor for you, one technique is to get them to do a small favor first; this is known as the
door-in-the-face technique.
foot-in-the-door technique.
over justification technique.
under justification technique.
13. Techniques such as low-balling & foot-in-the-door are strategies for
reducing physical aggression.
improving ones self-concept.
measuring a persons attitude.
getting people to make a harmless initial commitment.
14. Which of the following theories assumes that we observe our actions for clues about our own attitudes & beliefs?
self-perception
self-presentation
self-justification
cognitive dissonance
15. Cognitive dissonance theory proposes that we experience _____ when our beliefs are _____.
fear; uncertain
arousal; consistent
tension; inconsistent
pleasure; inconsistent
16. The major difference between Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance & Bem's self-perception theory is the role of
arousal.
behavior.
self-inference.
self-awareness.
17. Dissonance theory explains attitude ______, while self-perception theory explains attitude ______.
change; change
change; formation
formation; change
formation; formation
18. Attitudes influence our actions in which of the following circumstances?
if we are conscious of our attitudes
if the attitude is specific to the behavior
if external influences on our words & actions are minimal
all of the above
19. You are least likely to feel dissonance when
you harm a friend.
you make a difficult decision.
what you do is done privately.
you are paid money to tell a lie.
20. The three dimensions of attitude are
affect, behavior, & cognition.
affect, behavior, & aptitudes.
aptitudes, behavior, & cognition.
attraction, behavior, & compliance.
21. Which of the following is true in reference to the self-perception & cognitive dissonance theories?
Evidence exists to support both theories.
Self-perception theory has more support & evidence.
Cognitive dissonance theory has more support & evidence.
The theories are mutually exclusive; therefore one has to be correct.
22. Which of the following is a stage in the process of brainwashing?
presentation of the possibility of salvation
the breaking down of the self
the rebuilding of the self
all of these
23. Experiments confirm that _______ behavior toward someone fosters liking for that person.
aggressive
neutral
positive
negative
24. Which of the following supports the presumption that morality can be legislated?
There is no support for this presumption.
less murders after waiting periods for gun purchases was implemented
the increasing adherence to seat belt laws as penalties for nonuse are raised
the measured reduction of racial prejudice in the years after the Civil Rights act was passed
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Social Psychology
Robert C. Gates