In the context of social psychology, with which of the following statements will people typically agree most quickly?

• A. A statement presented by an unfamiliar source
• B. A statement that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs
• C. A statement that contradicts their cultural norms
• D. A statement that is complex and ambiguous

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of cognitive processing speed in social psychology, which suggests that people tend to agree more quickly with information that fits their existing mental frameworks or beliefs.
2. Recognize that statements aligning with pre-existing beliefs require less cognitive effort to process because they confirm what the individual already accepts as true.
3. Contrast this with statements from unfamiliar sources, which may cause hesitation due to lack of trust or familiarity, slowing agreement.
4. Consider that statements contradicting cultural norms or that are complex and ambiguous require more cognitive resources to evaluate, leading to slower agreement.
5. Conclude that people typically agree most quickly with statements that align with their pre-existing beliefs because these statements are easier and faster to process mentally.