Students Participated in What They Thought Was a Perception Experiment

question 238

Multiple Choice

Students participated in what they thought was a perception experiment and joined seven others seated in a room. The group was shown a 10-inch test line and had to choose a line that matched it in length from a choice of three lines: 8 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches. The experimenter, Solomon Asch, had the seven confederates choose a line that was obviously wrong. Asch found that:

• A) 60% of the students remained completely independent on every trial.
• B) students who did not conform were confident and pleased that they had done well.
• C) 20% of the students remained completely independent on every trial.
• D) students who conformed expressed certainty that they had made correct decisions.

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Definitions:

Social Desirability

The behavior of those answering questions to do so in a manner they assume will generate favorable opinions from others.

Distinctiveness

A principle suggesting that an event or object is memorable or noticeable because it differs significantly from other events or objects.

Consistency

The principle of maintaining the same attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors over time, which contributes to the predictability and stability of one's actions.

Neuroticism

A personality trait characterized by a long-term tendency to be in a negative emotional state, including feelings of anxiety, depression, and emotional instability.