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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Lessing, what type of absolutes do group minds often express?
(a) Scientific data.
(b) Democratic theories.
(c) Sacred assumptions.
(d) Historical references.

2. What made Jean Rhys popular?
(a) A public affair.
(b) A stint in office.
(c) Charity work.
(d) A successful book.

3. During experiments, individuals have been shown to __________.
(a) Panic.
(b) Think individually.
(c) Cry out for companionship.
(d) Give into the group.

4. With brainwashing techniques, soldiers can be made to feel ________ about killing.
(a) Horror.
(b) Excitement.
(c) Desensitized.
(d) Guilt.

5. In an experiment referenced by Lessing, groups fought individuals about the length of _____________.
(a) A race.
(b) Boards.
(c) Time.
(d) Spaghetti.

6. Margaret Thatcher hoped the advertising agency would bring up what type of emotions in people?
(a) Anger.
(b) Hope.
(c) Sad.
(d) Easy.

7. After the prison experiment, what did the subjects feel?
(a) Forgiveness.
(b) Fear.
(c) Disappointment.
(d) Surprise.

8. What are some of the steps in brainwashing?
(a) The use of slogans.
(b) All of these.
(c) Tension followed by relaxation.
(d) Repetition.

9. Lessing felt that what type of response should be the only response to wild emotionalism?
(a) Laughter.
(b) Detachment.
(c) Tears.
(d) Wilder emotionalism.

10. What members of the public eye, according to Lessing, often repeat words and phrases to breed familiarity?
(a) Pop stars.
(b) Political leaders.
(c) Teachers and students.
(d) Critics and commentators.

11. What does every country perpetuate to some extent, according to Lessing?
(a) Nostalgia.
(b) Celebration.
(c) False modesty.
(d) Brainwashing.

12. What did Lessing propose that our government should do?
(a) Pay attention to technology.
(b) Aid foreign countries.
(c) Give money to the poor.
(d) Secretly evaluate its workers.

13. Lessing refers to examples such as the acceptance of Jean Rhys' work as what type of mentality?
(a) "Conformity."
(b) "Popular perception."
(c) "Follow-the-leader."
(d) "Rule the world."

14. According to Lessing, what are power structures across the globe putting into practice?
(a) Training for the individual.
(b) Technological advancements.
(c) Taxation without representation.
(d) Group psychology.

15. Why do most people ignore the existence of brainwashing techniques?
(a) They are irritated by the idea.
(b) They do not like the idea.
(c) It is too hard to learn.
(d) It is too expensive for most people.

Short Answer Questions

1. What surprised people who took part in the Milgram experiment?

2. What would Lessing like schools or governments to teach?

3. Experiments in prisons show that ordinary people _________________.

4. In what countries did Lessing see bloody revolutions?

5. What have governments in the past done to determine if government workers were behaving well?

(see the answer keys)

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