The following text is about psychology.
The "spotlight effect" refers to people's tendency to overestimate how much others notice and remember about them—particularly their appearance and actions. In studies, people who wore an embarrassing t-shirt dramatically overestimated how many others noticed it. The effect arises because we are the center of our own world but peripheral in others' attention. Understanding the spotlight effect can reduce social anxiety: the embarrassing moment you're sure everyone noticed was probably barely registered by those around you.
What does the text say about the spotlight effect's practical implications?
It proves people are always watching us
Understanding it can reduce unnecessary social anxiety
It has no real-world applications
It only affects people wearing t-shirts
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. The text concludes "understanding the spotlight effect can reduce social anxiety: the embarrassing moment you're sure everyone noticed was probably barely registered."
- Evidence: Understanding leads to reduced anxiety.
- Reasoning: Knowing others notice less removes worry.
- Conclusion: Anxiety reduction is the practical benefit.
Choice A is incorrect because the effect shows we overestimate attention. Choice C is incorrect because reducing social anxiety is a practical application. Choice D is incorrect because the t-shirt was just one experimental example.