Question 1

Good study habits and self-discipline are most likely to be dampened by

Accepted Answer

A pessimistic attributional style is characterized by attributing personal failures to internal, stable, and global factors, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and a lack of motivation to try again. This can negatively impact one's study habits and self-discipline, as they may feel like their efforts will not make a difference. The other options (internal locus of control, false consensus effect, self-serving bias) do not directly relate to study habits and self-discipline.

Question 2

When faced with an ever-increasing number of consumer product choices,people often experience the discomfort of

Accepted Answer

Information overload is the discomfort or confusion that people feel when they are presented with too much information to make a decision. In the case of consumer product choices, there are usually many options to choose from, and people may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about which option is best for them. This can lead to decision paralysis or dissatisfaction with the chosen product.

Question 3

Martin Seligman's positive psychology differs from the humanistic perspective in that it

Accepted Answer

Seligman's positive psychology emphasizes the use of scientific methods, whereas the humanistic perspective places a greater emphasis on individual experience and subjective feelings.

Question 4

The social-cognitive perspective suggests that the best way to predict a political candidate's performance effectiveness after election is to assess that individual's

Accepted Answer

The social-cognitive perspective emphasizes the role of past behavior and experiences in predicting future behavior. Therefore, assessing a political candidate's past performance in situations involving similar responsibilities would provide the best indication of their effectiveness after election. Current feelings of personal control, specific political goals, and general feelings of optimism may also be relevant factors, but they are not as strongly emphasized by the social-cognitive perspective.

Question 5

Sexually active undergraduate women who do not consistently use contraceptives often perceive themselves as less vulnerable to unwanted pregnancy than do other undergraduate women. This best illustrates

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as optimistic bias or unrealistic optimism. These women believe that they are less likely to experience negative outcomes, such as unwanted pregnancy, than others. This bias can lead to a failure to use contraceptives consistently or at all.

Question 6

The social-cognitive perspective is LEAST likely to be criticized for neglecting the importance of

Accepted Answer

The social-cognitive perspective emphasizes the role of environmental influences on behavior, so it is least likely to be criticized for neglecting them.

Question 7

Unrealistic optimism could best be described as a(n)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Unrealistic optimism could best be described as...

Question 8

In assessing candidates for spy missions during World War II,U.S. Army psychologists subjected them to simulated undercover conditions. This best illustrates the use of an assessment strategy favored by the ________ perspective.

Accepted Answer

The use of simulated undercover conditions to assess candidates for spy missions during World War II reflects the social-cognitive perspective, which emphasizes the interaction between a person's environment and their own thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. This type of assessment strategy aims to evaluate how individuals react to and engage with different situations and social settings.

Question 9

After expending willpower by stifling prejudice during laboratory tasks,research participants were temporarily less

Accepted Answer

The answer of After expending willpower by stifling prejudice during...

Question 10

After experiencing inescapable brutalities as a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp,Mr. Sternberg became apathetic,stopped eating,and gave up all efforts to physically survive the ordeal. Mr. Sternberg's reaction most clearly illustrates

Accepted Answer

Mr. Sternberg's apathetic reaction and giving up all efforts to physically survive after inescapable brutalities in a Nazi concentration camp is a clear example of learned helplessness. Learned helplessness occurs when a person learns to perceive that they have no control over their environment and any attempts to change it are futile.

Question 11

Learned helplessness is MOST likely to be associated with

Accepted Answer

Learned helplessness is the behavior exhibited by an organism after it has been subjected to uncomfortable and inescapable situations a number of times, so much so that it stops trying to avoid the situation - this is when it has learned to be helpless. This behavior is linked with an external locus of control, as the individual perceives that the events that unfold are out of their control and that their efforts are futile.

Question 12

Compared with European-American students,Asian-American students express a somewhat greater ________ about their future performance,which may help to explain their impressive academic achievements.

Accepted Answer

Asian-American students often express greater pessimism about their future performance compared to European-American students. This attitude, paradoxically, may drive them to work harder and achieve more academically, as they may feel they have more to prove or more room for improvement.

Question 13

If you're a junior doctor and want to predict how well you will do on a surgical skills exam,you would be best advised to

Accepted Answer

A true-false test that will predict your exam performance is the best way to predict how well you will do on a surgical skills exam.

Question 14

Compared with those who made a purchase choice from among 30 different brands of jam or chocolate,those who chose from among just 6 brands expressed

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon described is known as choice overload, where having too many options can lead to decision paralysis and decreased satisfaction with the final choice. Studies have shown that when presented with fewer options, individuals are more likely to feel satisfied with their choice. Therefore, it can be inferred that those who chose from just 6 brands of jam or chocolate would express more satisfaction with their choice compared to those who chose from among 30 different brands. The other options (A, C, D) do not have any clear evidence to support them in this scenario.

Question 15

Our ignorance of what we don't know helps to sustain

Accepted Answer

Our ignorance of what we don't know can lead to overconfidence in our abilities, which can be beneficial in some situations. For example, if we are unaware of the risks or challenges associated with a particular task or goal, we may be more likely to attempt it and succeed. However, this can also be dangerous if we overestimate our abilities and underestimate the risks involved. Choices B, C, and D are not supported by the given statement.

Question 16

Contemporary psychologists are most likely to consider ________ to be of pivotal importance to personality.

Accepted Answer

Contemporary psychologists would consider the sense of self to be of pivotal importance to personality. The sense of self refers to an individual's perception of their own identity and uniqueness, including their values, beliefs, and experiences. It is closely related to concepts such as self-esteem and self-concept, which are considered foundational to the study of personality. While personality types and the ego may still have some relevance, they are not seen as central to contemporary theories of personality. Positive emotions may also be important, but they are considered more of a consequence of personality or a trait rather than a central aspect of it.

Question 17

Learned helplessness is most likely to promote

Accepted Answer

Learned helplessness is a state where an individual learns to feel powerless and helpless in a situation, even if there is an option to change it. This can lead to pessimism, as the individual feels they have no control over their circumstances.

Question 18

Dogs strapped into a harness and given repeated and unavoidable shocks developed

Accepted Answer

The dogs in this scenario were subjected to repeated and unavoidable shocks, which led them to develop a sense of learned helplessness. This means that they learned that they were unable to control or escape the shocks, which ultimately led to feelings of hopelessness and resignation.

Question 19

In the long run,people who practice self-regulation through physical exercise and time-managed programs experience an increase in

Accepted Answer

Self-regulation practices like physical exercise and time management help improve self-control by building discipline and the ability to manage impulses and behaviors effectively.

Question 20

The best indicator of a person's level of optimism is his or her

Accepted Answer

Attributional style refers to how individuals explain the causes of events or outcomes in their lives, whether they attribute them to external factors (such as luck or circumstance) or internal factors (such as their own abilities or efforts). Optimistic individuals tend to have a more positive attributional style, with a tendency to attribute positive events to internal, stable, and global factors, and negative events to external, unstable, and specific factors. This contrasts with a more negative attributional style in pessimistic individuals, who tend to do the opposite. Therefore, C is the best choice as it directly relates to optimism.

Quiz 9: Behavior and Belief