Question 1

A sustainable future may be achieved through

Accepted Answer

Achieving a sustainable future requires a combination of strategies, including increased technological efficiency, increased agricultural productivity, and reduced consumption. Each of these strategies contributes to reducing the negative impact of human activities on the environment and promoting long-term sustainability. Therefore, all of the choices are correct.

Question 2

A source of hope for a sustainable future is

Accepted Answer

Increasing technological efficiency can help us reduce our usage of resources and reduce waste, thus making our current way of life more sustainable. It also allows us to continue to innovate while reducing our environmental impact. While education and slowing down technological advancement are also important, increasing efficiency is a more practical and achievable solution for a sustainable future.

Question 3

Increased consumption, such as the burning of coal and oil to generate electricity and heat buildings, has contributed to

Accepted Answer

The burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which trap heat and lead to global warming.

Question 4

One way we can create a sustainable future is

Accepted Answer

Reduced consumption is the best choice because it addresses the root cause of many environmental issues such as resource depletion, pollution and climate change. By consuming less and using resources more efficiently, we can reduce our impact on the environment and move towards a more sustainable future. Cloning, moderating global temperatures and high birth rates in technologically advanced countries are not effective solutions to these issues.

Question 5

Fiona just won 10 million dollars in the Lotto 6-49. According to research on wealth and well-being, we would expect that Fiona will

Accepted Answer

Research on wealth and well-being shows that while winning the lottery provides a temporary boost in happiness, it is often short-lived and can actually lead to decreased well-being over time. This is because people tend to quickly adapt to their new level of wealth and may experience new challenges, such as strained relationships and increased stress from managing their wealth.

Question 6

Steve strives for intimacy, personal growth, and ways to contribute to his community, whereas Bill works at "getting ahead" financially. In all likelihood

Accepted Answer

Research shows that people who prioritize personal growth, relationships, and community contribution typically have greater levels of happiness than those who prioritize financial success. While financial success can provide temporary happiness, it is not a strong predictor of long-term satisfaction and well-being.

Question 7

Surveys of how important university students rate becoming "very well off financially" have found that in 1970, _____ of students ranked this as very important, compared to _____ in 2005.

Accepted Answer

In 1970, 39% of university students rated becoming "very well off financially" as very important, and this increased to 74% in 2005.

Question 8

The earth is being assaulted by a "double whammy" that includes

Accepted Answer

The increase in population results in a greater demand for resources, leading to increased consumption and depletion of natural resources. This is coupled with the fact that global temperatures are dropping, leading to a colder climate that will necessitate greater energy expenditures to maintain comfortable living conditions. These two factors together constitute a "double whammy" for the Earth. Neither high inflation nor high taxes nor fewer people satisfy the conditions for a double whammy.

Question 9

Which of the following is one way to reduce individual consumption?

Accepted Answer

Providing incentives for conservation behaviours can encourage individuals to reduce their consumption. This can include things like tax credits for purchasing energy-efficient appliances or offering discounts for using public transportation. Increasing income tax can have a broader impact on the economy and may not directly lead to reduced consumption. Regulating birth rates and creating a one-world economy are not directly related to individual consumption.

Question 10

According to the text, we are currently experiencing a global crisis due to ________________.

Accepted Answer

The text states that the global crisis is due to "increased population and increased consumption" which is leading to issues such as climate change, depletion of resources, and pollution.

Question 11

One pressing concern that has accompanied economic growth in developing countries, and which contributes to waste-disposal problems and emissions, is the increase in __________ that people have today.

Accepted Answer

The increase in cars contributes significantly to waste-disposal problems and emissions due to the production of exhaust gases and the eventual disposal of vehicles.

Question 12

In affluent countries, where most can afford life's necessities, affluence still matters because people with more money

Accepted Answer

People with more money perceive more control in their lives, which can lead to increased well-being and happiness. While having more money may afford people the ability to buy things that make them happy, research has shown that beyond a certain point (around $75,000 USD per year in the United States), more money does not necessarily lead to greater happiness. Likewise, while some people may experience higher self-esteem due to their wealth and status, this is not universally true for everyone. Finally, while hard work can be a source of pride and well-being, simply having more money does not necessarily equate to having worked harder or earned it.

Question 13

In poor countries, where low income often threatens basic human needs, being relatively well off _________________ greater well-being.

Accepted Answer

Research shows that in poor countries, being relatively well off predicts greater well-being. As people's basic needs for food, shelter, and healthcare are met, they are better able to focus on quality of life factors such as education, social connections, and personal fulfillment.

Question 14

In Canada and Europe, the correlation between increased individual income and personal happiness is

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that in Canada and Europe, the correlation between increased individual income and personal happiness is surprisingly weak. Money can contribute to happiness up to a certain point where basic needs are met, but beyond that, other factors such as social connections, purpose, and personal values have a greater impact on happiness.

Question 15

Research by Sheldon asked students to rate the extent to which 10 different needs were met by a variety of satisfying events. He found that at the bottom of the list of factors that predicted satisfaction was

Accepted Answer

Sheldon's research found that money and luxury were at the bottom of the list of factors that predicted satisfaction, meaning they were not strong predictors of satisfaction. The other options (personal growth, autonomy, and sense of relatedness) were not specified as being at the bottom of the list and may still be important predictors of satisfaction.

Question 16

_______________ agree(s) that money buys happiness, whereas _____________ agree that a little more money will make one a little happier.

Accepted Answer

Few agree that money buys happiness, whereas many agree that a little more money will make one a little happier.

Question 17

According to studies on the total ecological footprint we are leaving, the resources from how many earths were being consumed by humanity in 2002?

Accepted Answer

In 2002, studies indicated that humanity's ecological footprint was consuming resources at a rate equivalent to 1.2 Earths, meaning we were using resources faster than the planet could regenerate them.

Question 18

Among nations with more than $10,000 GNP per person, the correlation between national wealth and well-being is

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that among wealthier nations, the correlation between national wealth and well-being is weak, suggesting that beyond a certain income level, additional wealth has little impact on well-being.

Question 19

Donna has been short of money and worried about her job security. Yesterday she was surprised to find she was being promoted and given a 10% raise. The adaptation-level phenomenon suggests that she will

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon suggests that people quickly adapt to new situations and their happiness or satisfaction returns to their baseline level. In this case, Donna's baseline level of financial worry may be quite high, so even with the promotion and raise, she may return to feeling financially insecure relatively quickly.

Question 20

According to the ________________, feelings of success, failure, satisfaction, and dissatisfaction are relative to prior achievements.

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon states that our feelings of success, failure, satisfaction, and dissatisfaction are relative to our prior achievements or experiences. This means that our expectations and judgments are based on a reference point, which is determined by our previous experiences.

Quiz 16: Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future