Practice Exam for Midterm #2

Darwin proposed the process of natural selection, whereby (5)
a. he could explain animal and human mate selection.
b. nature selects traits that best equip organisms to survive and reproduce in their environment.
c. human sexual behavior could be understood in evolutionary terms.
d. animals behave instinctually whereas humans behave against intuition.

In groups, men talk more _____, while women talk more _____. (5)
a. about others; about themselves
b. about people; about issues
c. to give information; to share lives
d. to show support; to criticize

The motive to protect or restore one's sense of freedom is known as (6)
a. rebellion.
b. disobedience.
c. resistance.
d. reactance.

Compared to Euro-American cultures, Asian cultures are more likely to teach their children (6)
a. to follow their own conscience.
b. to respect another's privacy.
c. collectivism.
d. independence.

The idea that the attitudes older people adopted when they were young persist largely unchanged is contained in the
_____ explanation of age differences in attitudes. (7)
a. life cycle
b. generational
c. belief differentiation
d. psychosocial crisis

One reason why fast speech may be more persuasive is that it (7)
a. typically has a higher pitch.
b. is more comprehensible.
c. is associated with greater intensity.
d. tends to prevent counterarguing.

_____ is a false impression of how other people are thinking, feeling, or responding. (8)
a. Social rationalization
b. Social censorship
c. Pluralistic ignorance
d. Group delusion

Zimbardo reported that women who were masked and hooded in KKK-style hoods and robes tended to _____
than women who were visible and wore name tags. (8)
a. administer longer shocks to a victim.
b. engage in greater social loafing.
c. make riskier decisions.
d. make more contact and reveal more personal information.

Which of the following is NOT one of the 5 types of cultures identified by Vontress (1988)? (L)
a. temporal
b. universal
c. ecological
d. regional

Group decision, performance, production, etc., is SUPERIOR to the strongest member when (L)
a. the strongest member is labeled as the leader and leads the group to a final goal or outcome.
b. information gathering is required.
c. the products of individual group members are kept anonymous.
d. rate busting occurs.

Essays:

Describe some aspects of persuasion. What are some reasons why metaphors are used in persuasive communication?

Under what conditions does group performance exceed, is equal to, or underperforms the strongest group member?

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