Sociale cognitie hoorcolleges

In an experiment participants filled in a questionnaire. Subsequently they received false feedback claiming that their score was 40%, with 100% being the highest possible score. Moreover, the participants received additional information or they heard that an average person in their age-category received a score of 30 % out of 50% or the person did not get this information. Who of the participants would not wish to receive about the scores of the others: A. The persons who did not receive additional information B. The persons who received the additional information that an average person in their age-category got a score of 30% C. The persons who received the additional information that an average person in their age-category got a score of 50% D. All participants will wish to receive information about the scores of others equally

Answer: B. The persons who received the additional information that an average person in their age-category got a score of 30% People do not wish to receive extra information if they are in a favorable position. The people with a score of 50% scored 10% higher than average. Therefore, they are less inclined to compare themselves with others.

In an experiment participants engaged in a game together with a friend and a stranger. The outcome of the game got introduced as either relevant ( it is important to win) or irrelevant (it is just a game). In the game the participant had to collaborate with his friend or the stranger in order to get the right answer, despite everyone had to conclude their own answer. In which of the following situations, the subject will be most engaged to help the other get a good answer. A. The participant collaborated with a friend and the outcome was relevant B. The participant collaborated with a stranger and the outcome was relevant C. The participant collaborated with the friend and the outcome was irrelevant D. The participant collaborated with the stranger and the outcome was irrelevant

Answer: C. The participant collaborated with the friend and the outcome was irrelevant People felt more engaged to help their friend when thee outcome was irrelevant, because they felt less motivated to protect their position. This means that their self-concept got less threatened since their position in their friendship was not at sake.

When will you have a higher tendency to produce a negative self-image while comparing upwards? So, when comparing with someone better than you. A. When comparing yourself to the other and you notice many similarities B. When comparing yourself with the other and you notice differences C. When comparing the other to yourself and you notice many similarities D. When comparing the other with yourself and you notice many differences

Answer: B. When comparing yourself with the other and you notice differences Because you are comparing yourself to the other, you are noticing many unique features. Because of this you experience less similarities (contrast). This is causing a negative self-image.