Question 1

The concept of relative deprivation refers to the perception that

Accepted Answer

Relative deprivation is the feeling of being worse off than those with whom one compares oneself. It is a relative and subjective perception, rather than an objective reality.

Question 2

About 80 percent of entering U.S.college students have expressed a(n)________ desire to be wealthy.

Accepted Answer

The word "expressed" indicates that the students have openly stated their desire. The fact that it is a "desire to be wealthy" suggests that they have a strong desire for financial success, leading to the conclusion that the desire is increasing.

Question 3

Since 1887,researchers have been more likely to study ________ than ________.

Accepted Answer

Since 1887, researchers have been more likely to study depression than happiness. This can be seen in the prevalent focus on negative emotions and mental health disorders in research, as well as the historical stigma surrounding discussions of happiness and positive emotions in academic fields.

Question 4

People's positive emotions typically ________ between the early and middle hours of the day and typically ________ between the middle and late hours of the day.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that people's positive emotions typically rise from the early to middle hours of the day and then decline from the middle to late hours of the day.

Question 5

In a 2006 Gallup poll,close to ________ percent of Americans thought they would be happier if they made more money.

Accepted Answer

According to the question, the Gallup poll found that "close to" a certain percentage of Americans thought they would be happier if they made more money. The only answer choice that reflects a high percentage is C) 75.

Question 6

Research on the well-being of Americans indicates that the

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that while there has been a significant increase in the buying power of Americans over the last half-century, this has not translated into a noticeable increase in personal happiness. Therefore, option D is the correct answer as it states that the increase in buying power has not boosted personal happiness. Option A is incorrect as the majority of Americans do not actually declare themselves to be very happy. Option B is also incorrect as personal happiness has not been increasing. Option C is incorrect as it states that buying power has been decreasing, whereas research suggests the opposite.

Question 7

Our tendency to judge various stimuli relative to those we have previously experienced is called

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to our tendency to judge various stimuli relative to those we have previously experienced. This can lead us to become accustomed to certain levels of stimuli and perceive changes as either positive or negative based on our previous experiences.

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why communities with greater income inequality also tend to be communities with less happiness?

Accepted Answer

The relative deprivation principle suggests that people compare their own situations to others and feel deprived or dissatisfied if they perceive that others have more resources or advantages. In communities with greater income inequality, there is a greater disparity between the wealthiest individuals and the rest of the community, which may lead to feelings of relative deprivation and decreased happiness for those who perceive themselves as having less.

Question 9

When Mrs.Van Dyke first acquired a new luxury car,she was ecstatic.After several months,however,she took the car for granted and it gave her little sense of emotional excitement.This change in her feelings can best be explained in terms of

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to the tendency for humans to quickly adapt to changes in their environment, leading to a decrease in emotional response over time. This phenomenon explains Mrs.Van Dyke's change in feelings towards her luxury car.

Question 10

Juan and Berta were millionaires who lost half their life savings because of a bad investment decision.Which of the following best explains why after three years Juan and Berta seem to have suffered no permanent loss of happiness?

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon suggests that people adapt to a given level of happiness and after some time, return to their baseline level of happiness. Thus, even though Juan and Berta suffered a significant loss in wealth, they may have adapted to their new financial situation and regained their baseline level of happiness.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding wealth and well-being?

Accepted Answer

While it is true that money can improve happiness during midlife working years, and that those who live in rich countries tend to be happier than those in poor countries, and that the power of more money to increase happiness is strongest at low incomes, it is not true that people feel as though they can never have enough money. In fact, studies have shown that beyond a certain point (usually around $75,000 annually), more money does not necessarily lead to greater happiness. Additionally, some people are able to find contentment and satisfaction with their current financial situation, regardless of how much or how little they have.

Question 12

Differences among people's self-reported happiness levels are most strongly related to

Accepted Answer

Research shows that genetic factors play a significant role in determining individual differences in subjective well-being or happiness levels. In fact, genetic factors may explain up to 50% of the variations in happiness levels across individuals. Gender, age, and physical attractiveness differences are also associated with subjective well-being but not as strongly as genetic factors.

Question 13

You were happy with your grade of B on the psychology test until you learned that almost everyone else in the class received an A.This illustrates that one's level of happiness is influenced by

Accepted Answer

This scenario demonstrates the concept of relative deprivation, which refers to the idea that our level of satisfaction and happiness is not solely based on objective measures but on our perception of how well we are doing compared to others. The fact that everyone else received an A made the individual feel relatively deprived and less satisfied with their B grade.

Question 14

When the mayor ordered a salary increase for the city's police officers,there was a sudden loss of morale among the city's firefighters.The firefighters' sudden dissatisfaction best illustrates

Accepted Answer

The firefighters' sudden dissatisfaction with their pay compared to the police officers' increased pay suggests they are experiencing relative deprivation. This occurs when people feel discontent because they perceive that others are in a better position than they are, even if their own circumstances have not changed. In this case, the firefighters feel deprived relative to the police officers who received a raise.

Question 15

Shelly uses Facebook to interact with friends and family online.When is she most likely to express a positive mood on social media?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that people are more likely to express positive moods on social media towards the end of the workweek, with Fridays often being a peak due to the anticipation of the weekend.

Question 16

Researchers have found that certain factors are related to happiness.One of these is that happy people tend to

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that having strong social connections, such as a satisfying marriage or close friendship, is strongly related to happiness.

Question 17

People "locked-in" a motionless body usually ________ recover near-normal levels of day-to-day happiness.People who have experienced a terrorist bombing usually ________ recover near-normal levels of day-to-day happiness.

Accepted Answer

Research in psychology suggests that humans have a remarkable ability to adapt to various life circumstances, including severe disabilities and traumatic events. People with "locked-in" syndrome can adapt to their conditions and find happiness in new ways, just as survivors of traumatic events like terrorist bombings can recover and regain a sense of normalcy in their day-to-day happiness.

Question 18

After imagining and then writing about various tragedies,such as people being burned and disfigured,university women expressed increased

Accepted Answer

Writing about tragedies can lead to a process of emotional catharsis, helping individuals process and make sense of negative events, which can ultimately increase their subjective well-being by providing a sense of relief or understanding.

Question 19

Happiness has been found to relate to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that social relationships are strongly associated with happiness, while age, gender, and physical attractiveness have weaker or no correlation with happiness.

Question 20

Communities with greater income inequality tend to have ________ rates of obesity and ________ rates of anxiety.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that income inequality is positively associated with higher rates of obesity and anxiety. This means that communities with greater income inequality tend to have higher rates of obesity and anxiety. Therefore, the correct answer is D - higher rates of obesity and higher rates of anxiety.

Quiz 11: Stress, Health, and Human Flourishing