Question 1

Identify the true statement about illusory optimism.

Accepted Answer

Illusory optimism can lead people to underestimate risks and overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes, which increases their vulnerability. This can result in people taking insufficient or inadequate precautions, leading to negative consequences. Choices A and C describe the benefits of realistic optimism, which is a positive outlook based on an accurate assessment of the situation. Choice D is incorrect, as the planning fallacy refers specifically to the tendency to underestimate the time required to complete a task, rather than a general tendency towards optimism.

Question 2

Which of the following statements best exemplifies unrealistic optimism?

Accepted Answer

Option B is an example of unrealistic optimism as it is an overly positive expectation about the future without any significant evidence to support it. Getting a great job after graduation is not guaranteed, and there are many factors that could affect one's ability to find a job. Options A, C, and D are all realistic statements that are backed up by evidence or reasonable assumptions.

Question 3

Miguel is a new recruit at an apparel store. His team has 10 members and he adapts himself according to the needs of his team. He places more importance on the goals of his team over his and tries to identify himself with the identity of the team. The traits exhibited by Miguel are most similar to those belonging to a(n) _____ culture.

Accepted Answer

Miguel's focus on the goals and identity of his team over his own demonstrates a collectivistic culture, which values the group over the individual.

Question 4

On subjective, socially desirable, and common dimensions, most people

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as the "above-average effect." Studies have consistently shown that the majority of people perceive themselves as better than average on a wide range of dimensions, such as intelligence, attractiveness, and driving ability. This is true even though, logically, not everyone can be above average.

Question 5

Morela thinks that her peers view her as being tidy and prim. She then continues to imagine that her friends possibly think that she is the best dressed girl among her group. This is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

This scenario exemplifies the looking-glass self, which is the theory that our self-image is shaped by how we believe others perceive us. Morela has constructed a mental image of how her peers see her as being tidy and prim, and then uses this to imagine how they might view her in terms of being the best dressed girl among her group.

Question 6

Barbara was really shocked when her candidate was not elected. She had assumed that everyone felt as she did and supported her candidate's ideas. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The false consensus effect refers to the tendency for people to overestimate the extent to which others share their opinions, attitudes, and beliefs. In this scenario, Barbara assumed that everyone felt as she did and supported her candidate's ideas, which is an example of the false consensus effect.

Question 7

Isabel says "Even though 70 percent of marriages end in divorce, I know mine will be enduring joy." This is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

Isabel's statement reflects unrealistic optimism, which is a cognitive bias characterized by excessively positive beliefs about one's abilities, circumstances, or future outcomes. Despite the empirical evidence that the majority of marriages end in divorce, Isabel expresses unwarranted confidence in the durability and happiness of her own relationship. This bias may lead to overconfidence, poor decision-making, and disappointment if reality falls short of expectations.

Question 8

Vincent was an addictive cigarette smoker and had recently quit smoking. He roams around with his friends who are regular smokers and on many occasions he is tempted to smoke. He reiterates that he has high will power that would easily overcome his temptation to smoke even though he clearly struggles to hide his temptation to smoke. This is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Vincent was an addictive cigarette smoker and...

Question 9

In collectivist cultures, self-esteem is more likely to be _____.

Accepted Answer

In collectivist cultures, self-esteem is often seen as more malleable because it is influenced by social harmony and group dynamics rather than individual achievements.

Question 10

According to the self-serving bias, we most likely tend to attribute our successes to _____ and our losses to _____.

Accepted Answer

According to the self-serving bias, we tend to attribute our successes to our own skills or abilities, but our losses to external factors such as chance or bad luck. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer as it reflects this bias.

Question 11

Identify a characteristic that is most commonly identified with individualistic cultures.

Accepted Answer

Individualistic cultures place a high value on personal achievement and individual success over collective achievement.

Question 12

Who among the following in the United States achieve the most academically as students and earn the highest median income as adults, yet have the lowest self-esteem?

Accepted Answer

Asian-Americans have been found to achieve the most academically as students and earn the highest median income as adults compared to other racial groups in the US. However, studies have also shown that they tend to have lower self-esteem and higher rates of depression and anxiety.

Question 13

Which of the following statements best reflects the false consensus effect?

Accepted Answer

The false consensus effect refers to the tendency for people to overestimate the extent to which others share their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. The statement "Everyone does it!" reflects this exaggerated sense of consensus. The other choices do not relate to this phenomenon.

Question 14

Belicia chooses a designated driver to drive her home whenever she goes out for a party. She believes that this virtue of hers is exceptional and that no one else is as precautious as she is. This scenario best exemplifies

Accepted Answer

Belicia's belief that she is the only person who chooses a designated driver is an example of the false uniqueness effect, which is a cognitive bias where individuals tend to overestimate the extent to which their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are unique compared to others.

Question 15

Compared with people in general, most people perceive themselves as

Accepted Answer

This is known as the "better-than-average effect" or "illusory superiority," where individuals tend to rate themselves as above average in various domains, including their level of prejudice. Studies have consistently shown that most people believe they are less prejudiced than others, even when this is statistically impossible.

Question 16

Blaming the tree for getting in your way after you crashed the car is an example of

Accepted Answer

Blaming the tree for getting in your way after you crashed the car is an example of self-serving bias, which is the tendency to attribute one's successes to internal factors and one's failures to external factors. In this case, the individual is externalizing blame for their own mistake.

Question 17

The tendency to perceive oneself favorably is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The self-serving bias is the tendency to perceive oneself favorably and take credit for success, while attributing failures to external factors. This bias helps protect self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image.

Question 18

In the context of self-serving attributions, saying "I earned an A on my psychology test" versus "My instructor gave me a C on my psychology test" exemplifies how we

Accepted Answer

This exemplifies self-serving attributions because the person is attributing their success to themselves (saying "I earned") while attributing their failure to external factors (the instructor giving them a bad grade). This is a common tendency for people to protect their self-image and maintain positive self-esteem.

Question 19

Deunoro believes that he has incredible academic abilities and that he would easily get a job when he completes college. He also believes that he would never remain unemployed based on his academic qualifications. This is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

Deunoro's belief that he has incredible abilities and would easily secure a job solely based on his academic qualifications is an unrealistic optimism bias. This bias is characterized by individuals believing that they are immune to negative events and are more likely to experience positive outcomes.

Question 20

Identify a true statement about growing individualism within cultures.

Accepted Answer

In individualistic cultures, there is a trend towards giving children unique names as a reflection of the value placed on individuality and personal identity.

Quiz 2: The Biology of Mind