In a Research Study, Participants Read About a Senator Responding

question 42

Multiple Choice

In a research study, participants read about a senator responding to pressure to vote against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. What did the researchers find?

• A)Participants had more respect for the senator's decision when he went against the pressure exerted on him by interest groups.
• B)Participants were more likely to think the senator was correct to bow to pressure when the pressure came from ""environmentalists"" rather than from ""concerned citizens.""
• C)When the pressure was described as coming from ""environmentalists,"" even participants who personally opposed such drilling thought the senator made the wrong decision to vote against it.
• D)Whether the pressure was described as coming from ""concerned citizens"" or ""environmentalists"" made no difference to participants.

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Definitions:

Bystander Effect

The social psychological phenomenon that individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present, often due to the diffusion of responsibility.

Attribution of Arousal Theory

A psychological principle suggesting that people make sense of their emotional or physiological states by attributing them to environmental or situational cues.

Romantic Love

An emotional state characterized by idealization of the beloved, obsessive thoughts of this person, and turbulent feelings.

Halo Effect

The tendency to assume that people who have one good trait also have other good traits.