Imagine That Some Researchers Conducted a Study and Interpreted the Results

question 133

Multiple Choice

Imagine that some researchers conducted a study and interpreted the results of the study as indicative of normative influence. These researchers are most likely to reach this conclusion if participants in their study

• A) were truly convinced that the majority was correct in their opinions.
• B) behaved in a way that would be considered normal to people in Western cultures.
• C) did what they felt was morally right, even if it violated social norms in the process.
• D) conformed because they feared being rejected for appearing deviant.

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Definitions:

Social Facilitation

The tendency for people to perform differently when in the presence of others than when alone, typically improving on simple or well-practiced tasks.

Festinger

A psychologist known for his theory of cognitive dissonance, which suggests that people experience psychological discomfort when holding two or more contradictory beliefs.

Cognitive Dissonance

A psychological phenomenon where an individual experiences discomfort due to holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes, leading to an alteration in one of the beliefs or attitudes to reduce the discomfort.

Reducing Techniques

Strategies or methods used to decrease anxiety, stress, or other negative emotional states.