Question 1

What do positive psychologists call the act of written disclosure about emotional upheaval?

Accepted Answer

Positive psychologists call the act of written disclosure about emotional upheaval the Pennebaker paradigm, named after James Pennebaker who conducted research on the benefits of written emotional disclosure.

Question 2

Which of the following plays a role in determining the extent to which we can make the most of our emotional experiences?

Accepted Answer

Cultural norms play a significant role in determining the extent to which we can make the most of our emotional experiences. Cultural beliefs and values influence how we express, regulate, and understand emotions, which in turn can impact our overall emotional well-being. For example, some cultures may prioritize emotional expression and openness, while others may prioritize emotional restraint and self-control. Understanding and navigating these cultural norms can help individuals maximize the positive effects of emotional experiences. Family size, socioeconomic status, and birth order may also contribute to emotional experiences to some extent, but they are typically less influential than cultural norms.

Question 3

What does research indicate about the display of intense emotions cultures?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that in Asian cultures, there is a tendency to refrain from displaying intense emotions in order to maintain harmony and avoid causing discomfort or embarrassment to others.

Question 4

Which of the following descriptions is fitting of someone with the trait of alexithymia?

Accepted Answer

Alexithymia is a trait characterized by difficulty identifying and making sense of emotions. Individuals with alexithymia struggle to recognize and differentiate between emotions, as well as expressing them in a way that is comprehensible to others. This can lead to difficulties in interpersonal relationships and a reduced capacity for empathy. While individuals with alexithymia may also struggle with expressing emotions, this is generally a symptom of the underlying difficulty in identifying and processing emotions, rather than a defining feature of the trait.

Question 5

What did Austenfeld and Stanton find when comparing people who preferred emotionally expressive coping with those who preferred more goal-oriented writing?

Accepted Answer

Austenfeld and Stanton found that the people who preferred emotionally expressive coping reported fewer visits to a health-care provider than the other group after writing about emotions and emotional experiences.

Question 6

What will researchers need to consider when studying culture's influence on emotions?

Accepted Answer

Emotions are not only influenced by culture, but also by the context in which they occur. Therefore, researchers need to consider context when studying culture's influence on emotions. The other options are either too specific or speculative.

Question 7

What is the likelihood that when we experience an overwhelming emotional event we will share the experience with a friend or family member within the same day of occurrence?

Accepted Answer

According to research, it is highly likely (approximately 95% probability) that when we experience an overwhelming emotional event, we will share the experience with a friend or family member within the same day of occurrence. Therefore, option D is the best choice.

Question 8

Dealing with negative emotions in a manner that result in rumination might be described as what?

Accepted Answer

When dealing with negative emotions in a manner that results in rumination, it can be described as maladaptive. Maladaptive coping mechanisms often perpetuate or worsen the negative emotions rather than alleviate or resolve them.

Question 9

What was identified as a factor that underlies the differences between older American and Chinese adults when studying the number of positive and negative images that they remember?

Accepted Answer

The passage states that older adults in the United States tend to have a more negative view on aging, whereas in China, older adults hold a more positive view. This difference in attitudes towards aging is likely a key factor that contributes to the differences in the number of positive and negative images that older American and Chinese adults remember.

Question 10

What was one long-term benefit for participants in Dr. Pennebaker's emotional storytelling group?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Pennebaker's research on emotional storytelling found that participants who wrote about their deepest thoughts and feelings regarding traumatic events had fewer physician visits in the months following the experiment, indicating a long-term benefit in physical health.

Question 11

What role can positive messaging play in promoting positive behaviors for older adults?

Accepted Answer

Positive messaging can encourage older adults to engage in positive behaviors by providing them with a sense of hope and optimism.

Question 12

When parents allow their own emotional responses to characters in a story to be seen, children may benefit through which process?

Accepted Answer

Modeling is a process through which children learn by observing and imitating the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others, including their parents. When parents show emotional responses to characters in a story, they model how to emotionally engage with narratives and express feelings, which can help children develop their own emotional understanding and empathy.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the findings of Dr. Pennebaker's study on processing intense emotions?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Pennebaker's study found that writing about emotional topics was initially distressing for the experimental group but proved to be more beneficial in the long term. This suggests that processing intense emotions through writing may have long-term positive effects on psychological well-being.

Question 14

What can be the result of unbalanced attempts at processing feelings?

Accepted Answer

Unbalanced attempts at processing feelings can lead to poor decision-making, as decisions made without properly processing one's emotions can be impulsive or uninformed. Poor physical health, cognitive dissonance, and indecisiveness may also be potential results, but they do not directly relate to the question of processing feelings.

Question 15

How can emotionally expressive writing assist individuals who face prejudice?

Accepted Answer

Emotionally expressive writing can be therapeutic and can help individuals process their emotions related to facing prejudice. This, in turn, can help them build resilience and cope with the negative effects of prejudice. It does not necessarily guarantee gaining sympathy from oppressors or explaining transgressions, but it can create a dialogue with other groups.

Question 16

What is important about the case of Maria, the teacher who demonstrated the use of emotional intelligence in her classroom?

Accepted Answer

The case of Maria demonstrated that modeling emotional intelligence and managing one's own emotions can be effective in a classroom setting. This highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and its practical use in education.

Question 17

Unlike young people, older individuals seem to orient to what type of goals?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Unlike young people, older individuals seem to...

Question 18

What is the name of Carstensen's theory which says that older adults focus less on negative emotions, engage more deeply with emotional content, and savor the positive in life?

Accepted Answer

Carstensen's theory is known as the socioemotional selectivity theory, which suggests that as individuals age, they become more aware of their limited time left in life and focus on prioritizing emotionally meaningful goals and experiences. This leads to a decreased focus on negative emotions and an increased focus on positive emotions, allowing older adults to savor the positive aspects of life.

Question 19

Which of the following scenarios best describes how an older individual in the study done by Carstensen, Pasupathi, Mayr, and Nesselroade would handle a positive or negative life experience?

Accepted Answer

According to the socioemotional selectivity theory, older individuals prioritize emotion regulation and focus on positive experiences, so they would likely remain feeling happy to have paid off a loan. Option A is incorrect because anger is a negative emotion, and older individuals tend to prioritize positive experiences. Option B is incorrect because older individuals prioritize emotion regulation and positive experiences, so they would not ignore news about being promoted. Option C is incorrect because fear is a negative emotion, and older individuals tend to prioritize positive experiences.

Question 20

What did the story about a traumatic diving incident demonstrate the use of emotional storytelling?

Accepted Answer

The story initially had a distressing effect on the diver, but as she continued to tell it and receive positive feedback and support from others, it had a positive effect on her. This demonstrates the use of emotional storytelling in evoking empathy and a connection with the audience, as well as the potential for healing and growth through sharing difficult experiences.

Quiz 7: Making the Most of Emotional Experiences: Emotion-Focused Coping, Emotional Intelligence, Socioemotional Selectivity, and Emotional Storytelling