In the Jones and Harris (1967) Study, Participants Read Essays

question 81

Multiple Choice

In the Jones and Harris (1967) study, participants read essays that either supported or opposed Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Participants were either led to believe that the essay writers had chosen their own stance to write about ( choice condition) , or that the writers had been forced to adopt the position put forth in the essay ( forced condition) . Which of the following statements about the findings of this study is false ?

• A) Only in the choice condition did participants believe that the arguments in the essay were somewhat indicative of the writer's true Castro attitudes.
• B) Participants in the choice condition were more likely to believe that the essay revealed information about the writer's true Castro attitudes than participants in the forced condition.
• C) Even in the forced condition, participants believed that the arguments in the essay were somewhat indicative of the writer's true Castro beliefs.
• D) The findings demonstrate support for the idea of the fundamental attribution error.

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Definitions:

Positive Feelings

Emotions and feelings that are pleasant or beneficial in nature, such as happiness, joy, and contentment.

Prefrontal Cortex

The part of the frontal lobes of the brain involved in decision making, problem-solving, control of purposeful behaviors, consciousness, and emotions.

Amygdala

A part of the brain involved in experiencing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure.

Type A Personality

A temperament characterized by high levels of competitiveness, self-imposed stress, and a constant sense of urgency.