In One Study Participants Watched a Video of a Prison

question 35

Multiple Choice

In one study participants watched a video of a prison guard. Some participants were told in advance that the guard was atypical, that he was chosen because of his extreme views; others were not given this piece of information. What did the study show?

• A) That in drawing conclusions, the warning was irrelevant-it had no effect.
• B) That women were influenced by the warning, but men were not.
• C) That the warning made no difference if the guard was attractive; if he was unattractive, it altered judgments made by the participants.
• D) That participants who had actually been to prison were more affected by the warning than were those who had not.

---

Definitions:

Psychological Context

The mental and emotional factors that influence the perceptions, thoughts, and behaviors of an individual or group.

Communication

A transactional process in which symbols, such as words, gestures, and movements, are used to establish human contact, exchange information, and reinforce or change attitudes and behaviors.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain responsible for producing hormones that regulate body temperature, hunger, moods, release of hormones from other glands, and sleep.

Love-Struck

Overwhelmed by feelings of romantic love, often to the point of being unable to think clearly or act rationally.