Social Psychology Exam Questions & Answers

Modern Racism and Measuring It

1a) In your own words, define ‘modern racism’ and use an original example of one method on how researchers have measured it. 1b) In your own words, define ‘outgroup homogeneity’ and offer an original example. Explain why it occurs. 1c) Outline Jane Elliot’s blue/brown eyed demonstration, and share the impact it has when conducted on adults. 1d) Share both sides of the debate that argues that prejudice is biological in origin. How would Glick’s (1988) findings apply to job applicants today? 2a) Explain the conditions under which deindividuation is maximized. How would the social context change those conditions? Justify through research. 2b) Outline Zajonc’s 3-component theory of social facilitation. Explain the role that physiological arousal plays in social facilitation and deindividuation. 2c) Describe the two opposing forces operating on participants in Milgram’s original obedience experiment. Which force appeared to exert a stronger influence on participants’ behaviors? Justify your answer on the basis of research and theory. 2d) How does the fundamental attribution error speak to Milgram’s findings? What techniques to resist authority might have saved Milgram’s subjects from reaching the 450v maximum? 3a) Drawing on research described in the textbook, evaluate the claim that playing violent video games leads to aggression. Based on the lecture, outline the argument for the 3rd person effect, and explain why there is a disjoint between the conclusions drawn from researchers and journalists. 3b) Define ‘weapons effect’ in your own words and explain the research findings and challenges in studying it. What evidence exists to suggest that sexually explicit material (on its own) does not increase the likelihood of violence against women? 3c) How do upper- and lower-class individuals differ when it comes to empathy and altruism, and what accounts for this difference? 3d) Outline the steps and obstacles that lead to help another person. 4a) Describe how comparison level and comparison level for alternatives influence people’s evaluations of the costs and rewards in their relationships, according to social exchange theory. 4b) Outline the design, results, and implications of Mark Snyder’s 1977 study of self-fulfilling prophecy when conversing with someone based on a photograph. Design a subsequent study to address a related question, including variables and hypothesis. 4c) In your words, define each of passion, intimacy, and commitment (under Sternberg’s triangular love model), and give a timeline as to how each changes over time. Explain each of the types of love rendered either alone or in combination with other components. 4d) Outline Cramer’s (2015) design, results, and implications of Lee’s colours of love.