16

Social Psychology:

Interacting with Other

People

247

PREVIEW QUIZ

True or False

1. TFSocial psychology is the systematic study of how exchanges with other
   people in our environment influence our thoughts, feelings, and
   actions.


2. TFPersonality traits play almost no role in interpersonal attraction.


3. TFIn the art of persuasion, a one-sided argument is usually more effec-
   tive than a two-sided argument.


4. TFThe social phenomenon known as bystander apathy suggests that peo-
   ple in the city are cold and unfeeling and that people in a small town
   are warm and understanding.


5. TFCognitive dissonance is a mental state created when opposed ideas
   exist simultaneously at a conscious level.

(Answers can be found on page 260.)

Psychology is to a large extent the study of thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Nonetheless, much of our behavior takes place in the context of either a

relationship or a reaction to other people. Social psychology, the subject of