Topics for Final
Exam Short Answer Questions
(Psychology 110.03, Prof. Alex Genov)
1. According to a number of
distinguished psychologists, a major purpose of the defense mechanisms
described by Freud is the protection of self-esteem. Give an example of
how repression, reaction formation, projection, rationalization, displacement,
and sublimation could each be used to protect or even enhance a positive
self-image.
2. Although Susan is a brilliant
pianist and highly acclaimed ballet dancer, her high school intelligence test
scores were only average. What does Susan's experience suggest regarding
(a) the reliability and validity of intelligence tests, and (b) the nature of
intelligence.
3. Tranquilizing drugs that
inhibit sympathetic nervous system activity often effectively reduce people's
subjective experience of intense fear and anxiety. Use one of the major
theories of emotion to account for the emotion-reducing effects of such
tranquilizers.
4. David's history teacher asked
him why so many German people complied with Hitler's orders to systematically
slaughter millions of innocent Jews. David suggested that the atrocities
were committed because the Germans had become unusually cruel, sadistic people
with abnormal and twisted personalities. Use your knowledge of the
fundamental attribution error and Milgram's research on obedience to highlight
the weaknesses of David's explanation.
5. What is social
cognition? Describe Asch’s famous experiment on the social basis of
physical reality. In your own words, state why subjects became upset in
this study.
6. How is the reciprocity
principle used in bargaining and persuasion? What are reciprocal
concessions? What is the door-in-the-face technique? How would you
use the door-in-the-face technique to get someone to get what you want? Make
sure you define all the terms.