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1. Which term encompasses the information that we receive through our senses of sight,
hearing, smell, taste, or touch?
A) Stimuli
B) Perception
C) Inferences
D) Person perception
2. Making judgments about others and providing explanations for their behavior is part of
the process called __________.
A) stimuli
B) perception
C) inferences
D) person perception
3. We want to know “who will help, harm, or interest us.” This is a part of __________.
A) making a good impression on others
B) deepening and strengthening our interactions
C) making the right communication choices
D) deciding about how to be a good communicator
4. The mind stores vast quantities of information, and when we experience certain stimuli,
they trigger responses based on stored information. This is called __________.
A) perception checking
B) mental associations
C) nonverbal communication
D) forming perceptions
5. Which of the following is NOT a source of mental associations?
A) Life experiences
B) Information you create
C) Media
D) Culture
6. Which of the following is an example of how the media can influence mental
associations?
A) Watching television coverage of an upcoming election
B) Playing soccer outside with a friend
C) Studying for an exam in the school library
D) Preparing a meal with a family member
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7. One common mistake that occurs when forming perceptions is that people may
__________.
A) take some time before making judgments about others
B) ”freeze” on their first impression and resist further cues that contradict it
C) make judgments based on a person’s behavior rather than stereotypes
D) ignore a person’s appearance and instead focus on his or her actions
8. Which statement about stereotypes is true?
A) They are a form of self-serving bias.
B) They typically result in accurate perceptions of others.
C) They consider the character of the individual person.
D) They are inferences drawn about others based on their social category.
9. Melissa signed up for Tinder and decided that Jesse, based on his profile picture, would
be the perfect partner. Jesse was attractive, with black hair and beautiful brown eyes. In person,
however, Jesse was rude and unlikable. What was Melissa’s mistake?
A) She was fooled by appearances.
B) She made a judgment based on a stereotype.
C) She gave herself the benefit of the doubt.
D) She used transference.
10. You should not use appearance as the primary way to form perceptions about others
because __________.
A) perceptions based on appearance are a weaker indicator of a person’s characteristics
than other social cues typically present
B) a person’s appearance provides no cues to his or her personality
C) the accuracy of our judgments lessens as we get to know other people and interact
with them
D) nonverbal communication does not have a significant impact on a person’s
appearance
11. Jarett and Tawanda are in a study group together. Tawanda reminds Jarett of his favorite
cousin, whom he visits in Philadelphia every summer. As a result, whenever Tawanda gets to
class, he smiles and motions for her to sit next to him. This is an example of __________.
A) stereotyping
B) rushing to judgment
C) transference
D) being fooled by appearances
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12. __________ occurs when we attribute our successes to our own favorable personality
traits rather than to circumstances.
A) Self-serving bias
B) Fundamental attribution error
C) Perception checking
D) Stereotyping
13. Which of the following occurs when you overestimate the impact of others’ personal
traits and play down the role of circumstances?
A) Self-serving bias
B) Fundamental attribution error
C) Perception checking
D) Stereotyping
14. To strengthen our perceptions, it is important to __________.
A) recognize that perceptions are infallible
B) disregard additional data that may become available
C) acknowledge that stereotypes are generally true
D) differentiate between facts and inferences
15. The perception checking process is used to __________.
A) express your opinions and judgments about others in a nonverbal manner
B) make judgments about people based on their physical or cultural characteristics
C) gain a better understanding of another person’s behavior
D) identify similarities between a person you have just met and people you already
know
16. Which term refers to our personal construction of who we are?
A) Self
B) Self-concept
C) Extended self
D) Internal self
17. __________ refers to all your perceptions of yourself.
A) in-group
B) out-group
C) extended self
D) internal self
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18. The descriptive dimension of your self-concept refers to __________.
A) your overall self-evaluation
B) how you would describe yourself
C) what you think of the description of yourself
D) your self-assessment of a specific trait
19. What does the evaluative dimension of your self-concept refer to?
A) Your overall self-evaluation
B) How you would describe yourself
C) What you think of the description of yourself
D) Your self-assessment of a specific trait
20. You are UNLIKELY to improve your self-concept if you __________.
A) engage in negative self-talk
B) develop support networks
C) take steps toward personal growth
D) change your interpretation of something that happened in your life
21. __________ occurs when you change your interpretation of something that happened in
your life.
A) Positive self-talk
B) Support networks
C) Personal growth
D) Reappraisal
22. Nikki wanted to make a good first impression when she went for an interview at the deli.
She carefully chose her outfit and pulled back her hair. What version of herself was she
managing?
A) Private self
B) Public self
C) Personal self
D) Impression self
23. Which is NOT a communication strategy used for identity management?
A) Ingratiation
B) Self-promotion
C) Positive self-talk
D) Exemplification
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24. What is the primary ethical issue related to identity management?
A) The types of media you use to disseminate information about yourself
B) Whether to engage in identity management at all
C) Who you present information about yourself to
D) The accuracy of the information you present
25. People who are able to read others more accurately are able to employ better social
skills, form closer relationships, and generally navigate life more smoothly.
A) True
B) False
26. Perceptions are based on inferences from the sensory information that we have.
A) True
B) False
27. Our inferences and perceptions are reality.
A) True
B) False
28. When we interact with others, it is not helpful to try to understand their goals and
motivations.
A) True
B) False
29. In the workplace, an ability to infer the feelings of others can improve job performance
in a variety of contexts.
A) True
B) False
30. Our mind makes associations between the stimuli we focus on and other ideas stored in
the brain.
A) True
B) False
31. People rarely make judgments about others based on the first information they receive.
A) True
B) False
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32. When people stereotype, they assume that everyone in a category shares certain positive
or negative characteristics.
A) True
B) False
33. Stereotypes typically result in accurate perceptions of others.
A) True
B) False
34. During the correction process, we consider the input we’ve taken in and apply logic to
make a more reasoned judgment about others’ behavior.
A) True
B) False
35. Facts are statements for which there is enough proof to convince almost any reasonable
and objective person that they are true.
A) True
B) False
36. While perception checking, you should use language that puts the other person on the
defensive.
A) True
B) False
37. Self-concepts have a past, present, and future dimension.
A) True
B) False
38. Self-concepts are not unique; there are many people just like you in the world.
A) True
B) False
39. Your domain-specific self-esteem reflects your overall self-evaluation.
A) True
B) False
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40. Reflected appraisals from peers become particularly important in adolescence.
A) True
B) False
41. Personal growth refers to the process of strengthening your self-awareness and trying to
live a life consistent with your values and capabilities.
A) True
B) False
42. When you are feeling down on yourself, a good way to improve your outlook is to view
the situation from a different perspective.
A) True
B) False
43. Your private self represents the self that you portray to other people.
A) True
B) False
44. The process by which people “present information about themselves in order to appear
as they wish others to perceive them” is known as identity management or impression
management.
A) True
B) False
45. Supplication involves the user trying to convince others that he or she is dangerous by
using threats or other statements that cause discomfort.
A) True
B) False
46. Editing profiles, uploading pictures, joining groups, and announcing what we’re up to on
social media are forms of online identity management.
A) True
B) False
47. ______________ refers to the process by which we come to understand the stimuli in
our world.
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48. ______________ information is the information we receive through our senses of sight,
hearing, smell, taste, or touch.
49. ______________ is the process of making judgments about others, “deciding what they
are like, predicting what they will do, [and] providing explanations for their behavior.”
50. When your mind triggers inferences about a new person based solely on traits he or she
shares with someone you know, ______________ occurs.
51. ______________ is a conscious, three-step process that allows you to ask other people
about their intentions in a nonthreatening way.
52. Your ______________ includes all your perceptions of yourself, such as abilities,
accomplishments, personality, preferences, and characteristics.
53. Your evaluation of the person you visualize when you describe yourself is your
______________.
54. ______________ are the feedback we receive about ourselves from others.
55. A(n) ______________ is a group that we don’t feel a part of.
56. When you consciously engage in ______________, you essentially talk to yourself.
57. A(n) ______________ occurs when you expect a particular outcome to occur, which
causes you to behave in a way that makes the outcome more likely.
58. ______________ is the intentional revelation of important information about ourselves
that others are not likely to know.
59. ______________ is the ability to understand your own and others’ emotions.
60. ______________ is a communication strategy people use when they hope to be liked.
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61. When an individual wishes to demonstrate helplessness or dependence on others, he or
she uses the communication strategy called ______________.
62. Mental associations come from a variety of sources. Define four sources, and discuss
each in detail.
63. Perceptions are often viewed as being reality, but they are frequently inaccurate. Discuss
the reasons our perceptions may be wrong, and the common mistakes that are made when
forming perceptions.
64. How can self-talk influence your perception of yourself, and in what contexts can it be
beneficial? Be sure to define self-talk in your answer and provide an example.
65. Identity management can occur through five different strategies. Name these strategies,
discuss what each involves, and provide an example of each.
66. Online identity management plays an important role in perception. What are some of the
challenges with how people are represented on social media? Discuss two areas in which online
identity management may be challenging.
Answer Key
1. A
2. D
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45. B
46. A