Show:
Attributions
Biases/Effects
Impressions
Extras
Scenario
100

What is attribution theory?

Framework used to explain the actions of others as a result of dispositional/situational causes

100

Define Self-Serving bias. Give an example

Individuals credit their success to internal attributions, but their failures to the external attributions

100

When you meet someone for the first time, how quickly do you form an impression of that person?

  1. Within seconds to minutes of meeting

  2. After about 10 minutes

  3. You formulate your impression based on the totality of your interaction.

  4. You reserve judgment until you meet them in another context.

Within seconds to minutes of meeting

100

What is conformity and why is it important? Provide an example.

Conformity is the extent to which someone will modify their behavior to be consistent with the surrounding group. It is important for human survival and working in a community

100

Jennifer is currently enrolled in a required course that is not very interesting. Jennifer did not do well on the exam and is frustrated because she believes that the tests are too hard. She decides to talk to the teacher and says, “I don’t know why you are making the exams so hard since everyone thinks it's hard and is failing!” The teacher responds, “Everyone is not failing. The exam average was 82, and someone even got a 100.” The teacher thinks Jennifer probably lacks the ability to succeed and clearly lacks motivation.

Choose your Question

200

Explain the difference between a dispositional cause and a situational cause. Give an example for each.

Dispositional-personality traits 

Situational-environmental effects

200

Which of the following helps preserve self-esteem?

  1. Fundamental attribution error

  2. Primacy effects in impression formation

  3. False consensus effect

  4. Self-serving bias

Self-serving bias

200

With regard to impression formation, even if your initial impression is negative, it can be easily changed if subsequent exposures are positive.

  1. True

  2. False

False

200

Which of the following best represents the fundamental attribution error?

  1. The reason why Keith feels depressed is a function of both nature and nurture.

  2. Keanu failed the exam because he is lazy.

  3. Rhonda was late because there was traffic.

  4. Ross got an A on the exam because the class was so easy.

Keanu failed the exam because he is lazy.

200

Which of the following best explains Jennifer’s belief that everyone thinks the exam is hard?

  1. Self-serving bias

  2. Primacy effects

  3. Fundamental attribution error

  4. False consensus effect

False consensus effect

300

According to fundamental attribution error and actor-observer bias, we are more likely to assign _____ attributions to others while we are more likely to assign _____ attributions to ourselves. 

  1. Internal, External

  2. External, External

  3. External, Internal

  4. Internal, Internal

Internal, External

300

You go to a party with friends and you feel confident, knowing you are looking good in the new clothes you bought. According to the self-fulfilling prophecy, which of the following would be most likely to occur?

  1. You talk to new people, socialize, and enjoy the party.

  2. You find everyone to be annoying and wish you had never agreed to come.

  3. You meet some new people and find a seat and just watch others.

  4. You drink too much and get sick.

You talk to new people, socialize, and enjoy the party.

300

Once we form an opinion about someone, which of the following explains why we attend to information that is consistent with our impressions and ignore information that is not consistent with our beliefs?

  1. Self-fulfilling prophecy

  2. Negative primacy effect

  3. Fundamental attribution error

  4. Confirmation bias

  1. Confirmation bias

300

Kelley’s Covariation Model asserts multiple observations are needed to assess the source of another person’s behavior. There are 3 factors that need to be considered when making attributions. Name all three and give a brief explanation for each.

Consistency- how similar does a person act in similar situations across time

Distinctiveness- how similar does a person act in different situations across time

Consensus- extent to which behavior is similar/different to others

300

Which of the following best explains why Jennifer is blaming the professor for her poor performance on the exam?

  1. Self-serving bias

  2. Primacy effects

  3. Fundamental attribution error

  4. False consensus effect

Self-serving bias

400

Which of the following would represent a situational attribution? Select all that apply

  1. Jill’s car broke down

  2. Jose is kind

  3. Jasmine is uncaring

  4. Jake’s keys are lost

Jill’s car broke down

Jake’s keys are lost

400

What is the false-consensus effect?

  1. When one overestimates the extent to which others share our beliefs

  2. When others fail to conform to the actions of those surrounding them

  3. When one conforms to their surroundings, even if it is against their beliefs

  4. When one believes nobody around them shares their beliefs

  1. When one overestimates the extent to which others share our beliefs

400

If your professor perceives you as a mature and responsible student, what would they most likely think if you came to class late?


  1. The professor thinks that you are taking advantage of her good nature.

  2. The professor attributes your lateness to lack of concern about your education.

  3. The professor thinks that there must be some extenuating circumstances that caused your late arrival.

  4. The professor changes her impression of you to being irresponsible.

The professor thinks that there must be some extenuating circumstances that caused your late arrival.

400

Which of the following best explains why the professor concludes that Jennifer lacks the skills needed for success and lacks motivation?

  1. Self-serving bias

  2. Primacy effects

  3. Fundamental attribution error

  4. False consensus effect

Fundamental attribution error

500

Which of the following would represent a dispositional attribution? Select all that apply.

  1. Jesse is lazy

  2. Joanna is intelligent

  3. Jasmine was stuck in traffic

  4. Jordan’s mom is ill

  1. Jesse is lazy

  2. Joanna is intelligent

500

Based on the descriptions provided, which person is more likely to be perceived positively?

  1. Scott A. is a lazy, boring, and unreliable person, who is also kind, compassionate, and intelligent.

  2. Scott B. is an intelligent, kind, and compassionate person; he can sometimes be boring, lazy and unreliable.

  1. Scott B. is an intelligent, kind, and compassionate person; he can sometimes be boring, lazy and unreliable.