Consider the Following American Adages, Which Seem to Contradict One

question 109

Multiple Choice

Consider the following American adages, which seem to contradict one another: "Birds of a feather flock together" and "opposites attract." What would social psychologists say about these adages?

• A)This contradiction is an anomaly since Americans tend to be extremely single-minded in their "common sense" views about social psychology.
• B)Most people in the United States probably believe one of these adages to be true-but not both-since most people have very clear personal theories about social psychology.
• C)The contradiction is not surprising at all, since "common sense" theories are often poorly defined, i.e., most people would probably say that both of these things are true (if you asked them at different times).
• D)Most people would not see the contradiction if it were pointed out to them, since the average person is not a strong logical thinker.

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Definitions:

Intrapsychic Script

An internal framework comprising an individual's desires, motivations, and experiences that guide their behavior and emotional responses.

Sexual Script

Socially constructed narratives and expectations about how individuals should behave in sexual or romantic contexts.

Interpersonal Scripts

Created when individuals use the general sexual guidelines they have learned from cultural scripts and adapt them to specific social situations.

Homophobia

The irrational fear, dislike, hatred, intolerance, and ignorance toward and the marginalization of non-heterosexuals.