Question 1

According to _________ psychology, our emotions are an important contribution to our survival and growth as a species.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary psychology posits that emotions play a crucial role in survival and evolutionary adaptation, influencing behaviors that enhance reproductive success and survival.

Question 2

Research on emotion has only recently evolved because

Accepted Answer

Research on emotion has only recently evolved because most Western European and American societies considered it bothersome, leading to a lack of focus on it in scientific research.

Question 3

Studies suggest the ____________ is the part of the brain linked to assessing danger in a situation.

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is known for its role in the processing of emotions, especially fear, and is thus linked to assessing danger in a situation.

Question 4

While hiking, Marston heard a noise in the woods. After evaluating the sound and its closeness, he determined there was no danger. What part of Marston's brain assisted him in assessing danger in this situation?

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions, including fear and the perception of potential threats, which helps in assessing danger.

Question 5

Many studies suggest the ___________ of the brain is related to positive emotions, such as happiness.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the left hemisphere of the brain is more often associated with positive emotions and processing, while the right hemisphere is more involved with negative emotions.

Question 6

Anxious people have more activity in their right hemisphere, suggesting this hemisphere is related to the processing of

Accepted Answer

The right hemisphere of the brain is associated with processing negative emotions, which is why anxious people, who often experience heightened levels of negative emotions, show more activity in this hemisphere.

Question 7

When it comes to interpreting situations, events that are meaningful to those experiencing them are called __________ events.

Accepted Answer

Activating events are those that trigger a response or reaction, often because they hold significance or meaning to the individual experiencing them.

Question 8

Alex has been in many relationships. Her partner, David, has only been in a couple. After their first fight, Alex is still very confident the couple is destined to be together, whereas David is afraid they may break up. These differences in interpretations are probably a function of differences in

Accepted Answer

The differences in interpretations between Alex and David are likely due to differences in cognitive appraisal. Cognitive appraisal refers to the personal interpretation of a situation that ultimately influences the emotional reaction to that situation. Alex, having been in many relationships, may interpret the fight as a normal part of relationship dynamics and feel confident about overcoming it. In contrast, David, with less relationship experience, may appraise the fight as a significant threat to the relationship's stability, leading to fear of a breakup.

Question 9

Having failed his first psychology exam, Tyler anxiously awaited his grade on the second one. Again, he failed. Based on his previous performance and his interpretation of the current grade, Tyler began thinking critically about the teacher's methods, questioning techniques, etc. These types of thoughts reinforcing our interpretation of the situation are also known as

Accepted Answer

The answer of Having failed his first psychology exam, Tyler...

Question 10

Often when something negative happens in our lives, we exaggerate the effects this event has on other aspects of our lives. This irrational belief is known as

Accepted Answer

Catastrophizing is the irrational thought a lot of us have in believing that something is far worse than it actually is. This can pertain to exaggerating the effects of negative events in our lives.

Question 11

Jessica left her homework on the bus and was forced to tell her teacher of her mistake. Before she even talked to her teacher, she assumed the missing homework would make it impossible for her to improve her grade. This is an example of which irrational belief that can influence emotions?

Accepted Answer

Catastrophizing involves assuming the worst possible outcome or exaggerating the implications of an event, which is what Jessica is doing by assuming her missing homework will drastically impact her grade.

Question 12

_______________ involves exaggerating the frequency of an event whereas ______________ involves exaggerating the importance of an event.

Accepted Answer

Overgeneralization involves exaggerating the frequency of an event, as it involves making broad generalizations from a single or few events. Catastrophizing involves exaggerating the importance or potential impact of an event, often assuming the worst possible outcome.

Question 13

Hannah estimates her neighbors keep her awake three to four nights a week with their partying. In reality, it is only once or twice a month. Her overestimation of her neighbors' partying is also known as

Accepted Answer

Hannah's overestimation of how often her neighbors keep her awake due to partying is an example of overgeneralization. This cognitive distortion involves making broad interpretations from a single or few events.

Question 14

One example of an irrational belief that can influence emotions is the belief that one person's emotions are the direct result of another person's actions. This is known as

Accepted Answer

The myth of causation refers to the incorrect belief that one's emotions are directly caused by someone else's actions, ignoring the role of one's own thoughts and interpretations in generating these emotions.

Question 15

Ethan's mom becomes angry at her son because, once again, he didn't make his bed. She yells, "You make me so angry!" This statement is most related to which irrational belief that contributes to emotions?

Accepted Answer

The statement "You make me so angry!" is most related to the myth of causation, which is the irrational belief that others directly cause our emotions, rather than understanding that our interpretations and reactions to events are what actually generate our feelings.

Question 16

According to Ellis (1958), one irrational belief that is a major cause of depression and anxiety is

Accepted Answer

Ellis identified the "need for approval" as an irrational belief that can lead to emotional distress, such as depression and anxiety, because it involves an unrealistic demand for acceptance from others.

Question 17

The belief that you are okay only if everyone else approves of you is an example of which irrational belief?

Accepted Answer

The belief that one's self-worth is contingent upon the approval of others is directly related to the "Need for approval." This irrational belief centers around the idea that one must be universally liked and approved of to be okay or worthy, which is not a realistic or healthy mindset.

Question 18

Marsten is not comfortable with herself unless everyone approves of her. Marsten is experiencing which irrational belief?

Accepted Answer

Marsten's discomfort unless everyone approves of her is a classic example of the "Need for approval" irrational belief. This belief is characterized by the idea that one must be thoroughly competent, adequate, and achieving in all possible respects to be considered worthwhile, often leading to a constant search for approval and validation from others.

Question 19

Belief that other people, or the world in general, ought to think and act in a way that fits your own belief system is also known as

Accepted Answer

The "tyranny of shoulds" refers to the unrealistic and rigid standards or expectations one places on themselves or others, based on their personal beliefs about how things ought to be. This concept is often discussed in the context of psychological well-being, where such rigid thinking can lead to distress and frustration.

Question 20

Isabella believes her daughter Amy should quit her job and take care of her daughter at home the same way she did when Amy was born. As a result, she constantly suggests that now is the time for Amy to be at home. Isabella's irrational expectation that Amy should act in the same way she did is known as

Accepted Answer

The "tyranny of shoulds" refers to the imposition of specific, often unrealistic, expectations on oneself or others based on personal beliefs about how things ought to be, rather than accepting or acknowledging individual choices and circumstances. Isabella's belief that Amy should quit her job to stay at home with her child, because that's what she did, is an example of imposing her own standards or expectations on Amy, regardless of Amy's personal situation or desires.

Quiz 4: Emotions, Stress, and Human Relations