Why Did Participants in an Experiment Conducted by Berscheid and Her

question 182

Multiple Choice

Why did participants in an experiment conducted by Berscheid and her colleagues (1968) derogate their victims unless they thought they would switch roles with the victim and receive shocks themselves? In this case, participants

• A) reasoned that the victim would have a chance to even the score.
• B) were motivated to justify their cruel behaviors.
• C) experienced maximal dissonance, and convinced themselves that the victim deserved it.
• D) chose to become a victim, too, in order to make the situation fairer.

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Definitions:

Monopsonist

A market condition where there is only one buyer for a product or service, giving the buyer significant power over prices.

Competitive Buyer

A buyer in a market where numerous purchasers compete to acquire goods or services, often leading to more favorable prices.

Industry Supply Curve

A graphical representation that shows the relationship between the price of a good and the total output all firms in the industry are willing to produce.

Marginal Value

Additional benefit derived from purchasing one more unit of a good.