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The MCQs below are drawn from the Psychology subject category.
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171
Following the 9/11 attacks, the widespread national effort to volunteer and donate to support the affected community is an example of which psychological concept?
The behavior described is a classic example of altruism. Altruism is defined as selfless concern for the well-being of others, where individuals act to help those in need without expecting personal gain or reward. The national response demonstrated a collective desire to alleviate the suffering of others.
172
Regarding victimization patterns, which statement best completes the sentence: Women are most at risk of physical violence from people they____, men are most at risk of attack from people they____, and the most risky stage of life for homicide is____?
Research into victimization patterns suggests that women are statistically more likely to experience violence from intimate partners or acquaintances, whereas men are more likely to be victims of violence from strangers in public settings. Furthermore, young adulthood is frequently identified as the peak period for homicide risk, reflecting higher levels of social activity and exposure to risk factors during this developmental stage.
173
How do the concepts of prejudice and discrimination differ in social psychology?
In social psychology, prejudice refers to an unjustified or incorrect attitude (usually negative) towards an individual based solely on the individual's membership of a social group. Discrimination, on the other hand, refers to the actual behavior or action that treats individuals differently based on that prejudice. Thus, prejudice is an internal cognitive or affective state, while discrimination is the external manifestation of that state.
174
What is the specific term for the error where a supervisor provides uniform ratings to an employee despite fluctuations in their actual performance?
The halo effect occurs when a rater's overall positive impression of an individual influences their evaluation of specific traits or performance metrics. This cognitive bias leads the supervisor to rate an employee consistently high or low across all categories, ignoring the reality of varying performance levels. It prevents an accurate, nuanced assessment of the employee's actual strengths and weaknesses.
175
Which concept might explain why a student's belief in his own academic failure, influenced by his environment, could lead to actual poor performance?
A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when an individual's expectations about themselves or others lead them to behave in ways that make those expectations come true. If a student believes he is destined to fail due to his background, he may stop putting in effort or disengage from learning. This behavior then results in the very failure he anticipated, confirming his initial negative belief and creating a cycle of academic underachievement.
176
When athletes attribute their losses to the actions of referees, which psychological phenomenon are they likely exhibiting?
Self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute positive outcomes to internal factors, such as skill or effort, while attributing negative outcomes to external factors, such as bad luck or unfair officiating. This cognitive bias serves to protect an individual's self-esteem by maintaining a positive self-image even in the face of failure or defeat.
177
What is the psychological term for the state of mental discomfort experienced when an individual holds conflicting beliefs or makes a decision that contradicts their existing attitudes?
Cognitive dissonance, a concept developed by Leon Festinger, refers to the psychological tension experienced when a person holds two or more contradictory cognitions simultaneously. This discomfort often motivates individuals to change their attitudes or behaviors to restore internal consistency. While self-doubt and second-guessing are common reactions to decision-making, they do not describe the specific motivational state of dissonance defined in psychological theory.
178
What is the psychological term for a learned predisposition to respond to people, objects, or ideas in a consistent manner?
An attitude is a psychological construct representing a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically reflected in a person's behavior. Attitudes are formed through social experiences, cognitive processing, and emotional responses. They serve as internal guides that influence how individuals perceive and interact with their environment, often predisposing them to act in specific ways when encountering the object of their attitude.
179
John takes credit for his success in a football game but blames his professor for his failure on an exam. What is this behavior called?
The self-serving bias is a common cognitive bias where individuals attribute their successes to internal, personal factors, such as talent or hard work, while attributing their failures to external, situational factors, such as bad luck or unfair circumstances. This mechanism helps individuals maintain a positive self-image and protect their self-esteem when faced with both positive and negative outcomes in their daily lives.
180
What term describes socially shared mental representations of groups that encompass specific behavioral and trait characteristics?
Stereotypes are cognitive structures that contain our knowledge, beliefs, and expectations about social groups. They function as mental shortcuts, allowing individuals to quickly categorize others based on perceived group membership, which can influence social perception and interaction patterns.
