Question 1

The results of Axsom and Cooper's weight-reduction experiment showed that by the end of the fifth (and last) session, subjects in the high-effort condition had lost ________ weight than those in the low-effort condition. A year later, subjects in the high-effort condition had lost ________ weight than those in the low-effort condition.

A) significantly more; significantly more
B) significantly more; about the same amount of
C) slightly less; significantly more
D) slightly more; significantly more

D

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

Axsom and Cooper argue that the continued weight loss experienced by some of their subjects during the six months following the experiment occurred primarily because:&#10;A) the eating plan used in the experiment was highly effective and nutritionally sound.&#10;B) subjects continued to pursue the goal of weight loss, which had been made more attractive by the experimental manipulation of effort justification.&#10;C) the experiment led to the formation of an &#34;antecedent&#34; that helped subjects follow the successful weight-loss techniques they had learned.&#10;D) the initial loss of weight reduced subjects' anxiety about being overweight in a society that overemphasizes being thin and fit.

Accepted Answer

The argument is based on the concept of effort justification, where subjects found the goal of weight loss more attractive due to the effort they had invested, leading them to continue pursuing it.

Question 3

According to the article on weight reduction by Axsom and Cooper, the factor that underlies the effectiveness of virtually all forms of psychotherapy is:&#10;A) changing a negative self-concept to a positive self-concept.&#10;B) expending effort to participate in the therapy.&#10;C) learning logical, rational decision-making procedures.&#10;D) learning to accept oneself for the person one is.

Accepted Answer

The article states that "an important part of virtually all psychotherapeutic approaches is the need for the patient to exert effort in the process" and that "effortful participation in psychotherapy is one factor that underlies the effectiveness of virtually all forms of psychotherapy." Therefore, the factor that underlies the effectiveness of virtually all forms of psychotherapy is expending effort to participate in the therapy. Choices A, C, and D may be beneficial components of some psychotherapy approaches, but they are not the underlying factor that applies to virtually all forms of psychotherapy.

Question 4

In their experiment on the effectiveness of different weight-loss therapies, Axsom and Cooper maintain that the therapeutic process is influenced by which of the following concepts?&#10;A) effort justification&#10;B) the psychodynamic schema of id, ego, and superego&#10;C) systematic desensitization&#10;D) the idea, borrowed from architecture, that &#34;less is more&#34;

Accepted Answer

Axsom and Cooper specifically mention "effort justification" as one of the concepts that plays a role in the effectiveness of weight-loss therapies. The other choices are not referenced in the context of their study.

Question 5

In Axsom and Cooper's experiment, which variable was the dependent variable (measure of the subjects' behavior)?&#10;A) changes in the participants' self-esteem&#10;B) changes in the participants' attitude toward weight loss programs&#10;C) actual weight loss&#10;D) changes in the participants' attitude toward food

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable in this experiment was actual weight loss, as this was the measure of the subjects' behavior that was being observed and recorded.

Question 6

In Axsom and Cooper's experiment, which of the following pairs of variables were manipulated?&#10;A) choice/weight loss&#10;B) effort/weight loss&#10;C) length of session/level of effort&#10;D) effort/choice

Accepted Answer

The experiment manipulated the variables of effort and choice.

Deck 18: A: Reading