PYC3701/201/2/2023

Tutorial Letter 201/2/2023

Social Psychology
PYC3701

Semester 2

Department of Psychology

Feedback – Assignment 01

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 PYC3701: Social Psychology

Tutorial Letter 201/2/2023

Dear student,

This tutorial letter deals with:

1. Answers and feedback for Assignment 01.

Well done! You have now completed your first assignment for this module. The main purpose of this tutorial
letter is to give feedback on your assignment. In this tutorial letter, we provide the correct answers to the
questions in Assignment 01. If you answered a question incorrectly, please read the assignment feedback
in conjunction with the discussion in the prescribed book.

Lecturers:

Please note the lecturers responsible for the module below,

Prof Z Cakata e-mail: pyc3701@unisa.ac.za

Module leader

Prof CK Adonis e-mail: pyc3701@unisa.ac.za

Mr S Maseko e-mail: pyc3701@unisa.ac.za

Dr K Mbatha e-mail: pyc3701@unisa.ac.za

Mr V Mthimkhulu e-mail: pyc3701@unisa.ac.za

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MULTIPLE CHOICE. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the
question.

Assignment 01 for Semester 2

Closing date: 10 September 2023
Unique Number: 886658

1. - - - - - Occurs when the demands on our cognitive system are greater than its capacity.

A. Information overload
B. Schema retrieval
C. Social miscognition
D. Heuristic misuse

Our cognitive systems can only focus on a limited amount of information. For example, when we
are driving, we are unable to operate our motor vehicles safely while focusing on our cell phones
because there is too much information to attend to. We are unable to do this because our cognitive
systems are overloaded, meaning they can only dedicate attention to the limited amount of
information. This illustrates information overload, which occurs when high demands are placed on
our cognitive system to process information that is greater than its capacity. Therefore, when
cognitive demands exceed our ability to process information there is information overload. Based
on this explanation, option A is the correct. (Chapter 2, page 54 of your textbook).

2. Angelique comes to class, avidly looking forward to her professor's lecture on east Ecuadoran
carpet-weaving. Instead, the professor whips out a deck of cards and starts doing a close-up magic
for the class. Angelique will most likely - - - - -.

A. encode this as memorable information that is inconsistent with her professor’s schema
B. remind herself that this is, after all, a carpet-weaving lecture
C. revise her professor schema
D. revise her Ecuadoran professor schema

Angelique comes to class with the expectation that East Ecuadoran carpet-weaving will be
discussed in her lecturer. In other words, she comes to the lecturer with a schema i.e., mental
framework which helps her organise her social world by letting her know what to expect and how
to act. However, when her professor behaves in a manner that is inconsistent with her expectations,
it makes it more likely that she will encode this event and recall it because it is inconsistent
information that captured her attention. Based on this reasoning, option A is the correct option.
(Chapter 2, page 63 of your textbook).

3. Schemas affect our use of stored memories by - - - - -.

A. increasing the cognitive load on our reasoning abilities, making it more difficult to
search our memories
B. deactivating the anchoring and adjustment process whereby we make social judgments
C. not allowing the use of memories to reduce cognitive load
D. making it easier to retrieve information that is consistent with the schema

Schemas are mental frameworks that help us organise information, guide our actions and
process information in social contexts. Research studies suggest that people generally recall

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 information that is consistent with their schemas. This is despite studies also indicating that
information that is inconsistent with people’s schemas is also readily available in their memory.
Hence option D is correct. (Chapter 2, page 63 of your textbook).

4. There are five basic channels of nonverbal communication. These are - - - - -.

A. touching, eye contact, body movements, vocal tone, and facial expressions
B. facial expressions, eye contact, body movements, posture, and touching
C. body movements, facial expressions, posture, attributions, and vocal tone
D. body movements, posture, facial expressions, eye contact, and attributions

Nonverbal communication is a form of communication that does not use spoken language. The five
basic channels that encompass this form of communication are facial expressions, eye contact,
body movements, posture and touching. Option A, C and D are incorrect because they include
vocal tone, which forms part of verbal communication because it is spoken language. Additionally,
these options include attributions, which are explanations we form about why people behave in
particular ways. Option B is the correct option (Chapter 2, pages 89 and 90 of your textbook).

5. Jason has been told that he should shake hands with the job interviewer and that his handshake
should be firm, vigorous, and last a long time. According to recent research by Chaplin et al.,
(2000), if Jason follows this advice, the interviewer may think that Jason is - - - - -.

A. slightly disagreeable but very outgoing

B. relatively shy and highly conscientious
C. outgoing and willing to try new things
D. a bit neurotic and somewhat outgoing

Handshakes are a form of non-verbal communication that has the potential to communicate our
innate character traits. Chaplin et al., (2000) study indicates that people with a firmer, longer, and
vigorous handshake are more likely to be seen by others as extroverted and open to experiences.
Based on this research finding, Jason is likely to be seen as outgoing and willing to try new things
by the interviewer if he follows this advice. Option C is the correct answer. (Chapter 3, page 93 of
your textbook).

6. - - - - - refers to a tendency to attribute our own positive outcomes to internal causes but negative
outcomes to external causes.

A. Corresponding bias
B. Self-serving bias
C. Optimistic bias
D. Overconfidence bias

The self-serving bias is characterised by the tendency to attribute positive outcomes to one’s
personality traits and negative outcomes to external factors. For example, if you pass a test and
attribute your mark to your intelligence, however when you fail you attribute it to your teacher you
are using a self-serving bias. Option B is the correct answer (see Chapter 3, page 110 of your
textbook). Option A is incorrect because the correspondence bias describes the tendency to
explain people’s behaviours based on their innate personality traits rather than considering the
situational factors that they find themselves in. Option C is incorrect because the optimistic bias
describes the tendency to overlook risks and expect things to turn out well. Option D,
overconfidence bias, is incorrect because it describes the tendency for people to have more
confidence in the accuracy of their judgements than what is justified.

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7. Research has shown that people with - - - - - use Facebook to - - - - - their self-esteem.

A. low self-esteem; maintain

B. high self-esteem; decrease
C. high self-esteem; increase
D. high self-esteem; maintain

Research studies suggest that people who use social media and focus on the positive presentation
of their self-image have positive psychological outcomes. This suggests that people who have a
positive attitude towards themselves i.e., high self-esteem, are more likely to use social media
platforms like Facebook to maintain their self-esteem. Therefore, option D is the correct answer
(see Chapter 4, page 124 of your textbook)

8. Which factor does not strongly influence attitude-behaviour consistency?

A. Attitude extremity
B. Attitude certainty
C. Attitude believability
D. Personal experience

The prescribed textbook book (chapter 5) discusses how attitude strength influences behaviour
(Please see figure 5.11 – p. 176). Research by Clarkson, Tormala, DeSensi & Wheeler, (2009)
and Tormala & Rucker, (2007) suggests that attitudes which are extreme, certain and formed on
the basis of personal experience with attitude objects tend to be strong. They are more likely to be
accessible when a behavioural response is made. According to the aforementioned researchers,
attitude extremity, attitude certainty and personal experience determine attitude-behaviour
consistency. Therefore, the correct answer is C (attitude believability). See pages 175-178.

9. What is the best statement that captures the essence of the theory of planned behaviour?
A. The decision to engage in a particular behaviour is the result of a rational process in which
behavioural options are considered, consequences of each are evaluated and a decision is
reached to act or not to act.
B. A plan for how to implement our intentions to carry out some actions.
C. A model of how attitudes guide behaviour that emphasises the influence of attitudes and
stored knowledge of what is appropriate in a given situation on an individual’s definition of
the present situation.
D. The suggestion that in addition to attitudes towards a given behaviour and subjective norms
about it, individuals also consider their ability to perform the behaviour.

The best statement that captures the essence of the theory of planned behaviour is alternative D.
It is important to differentiate between the theory of reasoned thought (alternative A) and the theory
of planned behaviour. The latter is an extension of reasoned thought (action) in that it considers
the ability of the individuals to perform the behaviour. Alternative B and C are both incorrect; the
former refers to the implementation plan and the latter refers to Fazio’s attitude-to-behaviour
process model. See pages 179-180.

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10. Based on the research by Hovland, Janis and Kelley (1953), which statement is incorrect about
persuasion?

A. Messages that do not appear to be designed to change our attitudes are often more
successful than those that seem to be designed to achieve this goal.
B. Communicators who are credible are more persuasive than those who are seen as lacking
expertise.
C. Communicators who are physically attractive are more persuasive than communicators
who are not attractive.
D. The most fear inducing message results in greater conformity.

It is important for students to grasp what persuasion entails. According to the prescribed textbook,
persuasion refers to efforts to change other’s attitudes through the use of various messages. This
particular question requires students to identify the incorrect statement about persuasion, based
on the research by Hovland, Janis and Kelley (1953). According to findings by Hovland et al.
(1953), communicators who are more credible are more persuasive than those who are seen as
lacking in expertise.

Communicators who are physically attractive are more persuasive than communicators who are
not attractive. Messages that do not appear to be designed to change our attitudes are often more
successful than those that seem to be designed to achieve this goal.

Therefore, the correct answer is alternative D. In order to understand why alternative D is incorrect,
students, should study research by Janis et al. (1953) about the role of fear appeals – messages
that are intended to arouse fear in the recipient. In a nutshell, the results found that mild fear
inducing messages resulted in the greatest subsequent tooth brushing, while the most fear-
inducing message resulted in the least increase in brushing (i.e., least conformity). See pages 181-
184.

11. What are the four factors that enhance our ability to resist persuasion?

A. Reactance, forewarning, selective avoidance and actively defending our attitudes.

B. Individual differences, ego depletion, reactance and ignorance.
C. Selective avoidance, ego depletion, power and forewarning.
D. Reactance, forewarning, selective avoidance and sexual motives.

How do we resist persuasion? According to the prescribed textbook, we often use reactance –
protecting our personal freedom, forewarning – possessing prior knowledge of persuasive intent,
selective avoidance – tendency to direct attention away from information that challenges existing
attitudes and actively defending our attitudes – counterarguing against competition. Therefore,
alternative A is correct. See pages 187- 190.

12. The type of learning that is based on the association of two or more stimuli is called - - - - -.

A. Association learning
B. Classical conditioning
C. Instrumental conditioning
D. Positive learning

The key to answering this question correctly is to understand different types of learning. Association
learning refers to a process in which a new response becomes associated with a particular
stimulus. Classical conditioning is a basic form of learning in which one stimulus, initially neutral,
acquires the capacity to evoke reactions through repeated pairing with another stimulus.
Instrumental conditioning is a basic form of learning in which responses that lead to positive
outcomes, or which permit avoidance of negative outcomes are strengthened. Positive learning is

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a concept that emphasizes the emotional aspects of learning and the creation of a supportive
learning environment. Therefore, alternative B is correct. See pages 167-168.

13. - - - - - are beliefs about social groups with regard to the traits or characteristics that they share.

A. Stereotypes
B. Discrimination
C. Prejudices
D. Racism

This question requires students to understand the definition of these concepts. Stereotypes are
beliefs about social groups in terms of the traits or characteristics that they are believed to share.
Discrimination refers to negative behaviour directed towards members of different social groups.
Prejudice are negative emotional response based on group membership. Racism is a more general
term that encompasses stereotypes, discrimination and prejudice. It is important to note the
difference between stereotypes (cognitive component), discrimination (behavioural component)
and prejudice (affective component). Therefore, alternative A is correct. See pages 201- 203.

14. - - - - - often refers to the practice of hiring one, or a small number of individuals from a particular
group in order to demonstrate that no discrimination is directed towards that group.

A. Reverse discrimination
B. Shifting standards
C. Hostile sexism
D. Tokenism

Students should be familiar with these concepts. They are discussed in chapter six. Reverse
discrimination is a term used to describe discrimination against members of a dominant or majority
group, in favour of members of a minority group or historically disadvantaged group. Shifting
standards is the process when we use one group as the standard but shift to use another group as
the comparison standard when judging members of a different group. Hostile sexism is a form of
sexism in which people, especially women, who do not conform to traditional gender roles are
viewed in a negative manner. Tokenism refers to hiring based on group membership. It can concern
a numerically infrequent presence of members of a particular category, or it can refer to instances
where individuals perform trivial positive actions for members of out-groups that are later used as
an excuse for refusing more meaningful beneficial actions for members of these groups. Therefore,
alternative D is correct. See pages 209-212.

15. The perception that if one group gets scarce resources (such as good jobs, nice home, access to
healthcare and quality education), the other group cannot, is known as - - - - -.

A. Realistic conflict theory

B. Zero-sum outcomes
C. Competition for scarce resources
D. Us versus them

Realistic conflict theory is of the view that prejudice stems from direct competition between various
social groups over scarce and valued resources. However, the perception that if one group gets
scarce resources (such as good jobs, nice homes, access to healthcare and quality education), the
other group cannot, is known as zero-sum outcomes. The “us” versus “them” is the outcome of
social categorisation. Competition for scarce resources is the process whereby different groups
compete for (scarce) resources such as education, healthcare, and jobs. Therefore, alternative B
is correct. See pages 220-222.

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Make sure to use the correct unique numbers when submitting your assignments.

Your PYC3701 teaching team.