Deck 16: Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future

Question 1

Adam,an affluent,middle-aged man,denies the threat of climate change and argues that it is just propaganda by international organizations to impose unreasonable taxes on citizens.He likes to go on expensive leisure trips.He likes to heat or cool his house according to the surrounding temperature and does not want to change his lifestyle.In the context of persuasion,Adam's resistance to climate science is due to ________ in this scenario.

A)misinformation
B)motivated reasoning
C)pluralistic ignorance
D)the overjustification effect

Answer 1

motivated reasoning

Question 2

Identify a true statement about climate change and public opinion.

A)There exists a gulf between the scientific and the U.S.public understanding of climate change.
B)Opinions about climate change are not affected by the availability heuristic of an individual.
C)Resistance to understanding climate change is easily overcome by motivated reasoning.
D)Intuitive judgments and vivid and recent experiences have no influence on the opinions formed about climate change.

Answer 2

There exists a gulf between the scientific and the U.S.public understanding of climate change.

Question 3

Technological advances will help sustain the planet because of:

A)reduced cost.
B)increased consumption.
C)the efficient use of energy and resources.
D)the greater availability of goods.

Answer 3

the efficient use of energy and resources.

Question 4

One way to moderate consumption by those who can afford to overconsume is through:

A)public policies.
B)punishments.
C)training programs.
D)public warnings.

Question 5

Which of the following is an effect of global warming?

A)extreme precipitation becoming moderate
B)a rise in sea levels
C)a decrease greenhouse gases
D)the late arrival of the spring season

Question 6

Mackenzie,an environmentalist,observes that certain plant species,which usually grow near the mid-latitudes,are migrating toward the Polar circles.She researches this phenomenon and finds similar patterns among animal species also.Based on the available data,Mackenzie would most likely conclude that this phenomenon is due to ________.

A)climate forcing
B)global dimming
C)global warming
D)the Holocene extinction

Question 7

Birth rates in less-developed nations have:

A)dropped.
B)increased.
C)stabilized.
D)continued to double each year.

Question 8

Which of the following problems is caused by exploding population and increasing consumption?

A)decreased atmospheric methane
B)climate destabilization
C)species migrating toward the Equator
D)diminishing of the warming greenhouse-gas blanket

Question 9

In the context of climate change,which of the following is most likely to cause domestic violence and civil conflicts?

A)rainfall extremes
B)cold seasons
C)economic structures with no taxes
D)incentivized vehicle lanes

Question 10

John,a 40-year-old man,discounts climatic threats and does not believe that temperature and sea levels are rising because of climatic change.He is against the imposition of a carbon tax and argues that an automotive fuel economy standard is enough to control emissions.In the context of persuasion,John's resistance to climate science is due to ________ in this scenario.

A)an illusion of transparency
B)the overjustification effect
C)motivated reasoning
D)misinformation

Question 11

Support for new energy policies will require:

A)stronger and stricter laws.
B)an increase in annual average consumption of fuel.
C)an economy with a taxless structure base.
D)a shift in public consciousness similar to the civil rights and women's movements.

Question 12

Which of the following has occurred because of increased consumption?

A)deforestation
B)the advance of polar icecaps
C)the decrease in greenhouse gases
D)the increase in birth rates in industrialized nations

Question 13

With the growing population and increasing consumption has come:

A)afforestation.
B)a depletion of wild fish stocks.
C)climate stabilization.
D)a decrease in temperatures.

Question 14

Which of the following statements regarding global climate change is true?

A)Plant and animal species are migrating toward the Equator.
B)Sea levels are rising because of melting ice and polar caps.
C)There is a decrease in temperatures during the summers.
D)A warming greenhouse-gas blanket is shrinking.

Question 15

Which of the following can be attributed to climate change?

A)the increase in extreme weather events
B)the migration of plant and animal species to lower elevations than before
C)the decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane
D)the decrease of ice and snow packs melting

Question 16

In the context of communicating climate change to people,when climate educators use slogans such as "the Earth has a fever" in raising the awareness of climate change,they are using ________.

A)vivid and memorable messages
B)credible communication channels
C)green defaults
D)a think local strategy

Question 17

In 1960,the earth carried 3 billion people and 127 million motor vehicles.Today,it has more than ________ billion people and ________ billion motor vehicles.

A)4;7
B)5;10
C)6;30
D)7;1

Question 18

Which of the following statements is true about climate change across the world?

A)The sea and air temperatures all over the world are at the lowest rates since the sixteenth century.
B)There is more atmospheric carbon dioxide than before industrial times.
C)Extreme weather events are becoming less intense.
D)Average annual weather-related losses have reduced significantly.

Question 19

In which of the following ways does social psychology help promote greater well-being?

A)by suggesting ways to reduce consumption
B)by continuing to show that economic growth automatically improves human morale
C)by helping people understand why materialism and wealth satisfy human needs and wants
D)by preserving environmental resources

Question 20

A source of hope for a sustainable future is:

A)increasing technological efficiency and agricultural productivity.
B)controlling consumption.
C)decreasing population.
D)All of the answers are correct.

Question 21

Eric,a young professional,has been married for four years and always takes care of his wife and children.He strives for intimacy,his personal growth,and to contribute to his community.In the context of materialism,which of the following goals is exemplified by Eric in this scenario?

A)extrinsic goals
B)intrinsic goals
C)incompatible goals
D)superordinate goals

Question 22

In the context of social comparison,which of the following is true of the studies by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on income inequality?

A)Countries with greater income inequality do not have greater health and social problems than other countries.
B)Countries with greater income inequality have lower rates of dissatisfaction and mental illness than other countries.
C)U.S.states with greater income inequality have lower rates of depression than other states.
D)Years with more income inequality correlate with less happiness among those with lower incomes.

Question 23

Which of the following is true of having more money than the comfortable income level?

A)It produces diminishing levels of happiness.
B)It paves the way for increased life satisfaction.
C)It predicts positive,happy feelings better than a comfortable income does.
D)It produces diminishing long-term returns.

Question 24

The tendency to judge our experience (for example,of sounds,temperatures,or income)relative to a neutral level defined by our prior experience is known as ________.

A)the social comparison phenomenon
B)the adaptation-level phenomenon
C)relative deprivation
D)Parkinson's second law

Question 25

________ agree that money buys happiness,whereas ________ agree that a little more money will make one a little happier.

A)Most;few
B)All;none
C)Few;most
D)None;all

Question 26

In affluent countries,once a comfortable income level is reached,more money ________ long-term returns.

A)increases
B)decreases
C)correlates positively with
D)does not affect

Question 27

A source of hope for a sustainable future is:

A)taxless economies.
B)reduced consumption.
C)removal of "smart meters" technology.
D)high birth rates in technologically advanced countries.

Question 28

Humanity can prepare for a sustainable future by increasing:

A)global warming.
B)human population.
C)technological efficiency.
D)energy consumption.

Question 29

The grandparents of Jordan,a 14-year-old boy,ask him about his future ambitions.He replies that he wants to become a doctor just like his grandfather.The grandparents,who have worked for humanitarian causes for many years,are elated and ask what would he do after becoming a doctor.To their surprise,Jordan says that he will build a mansion and buy Porsche cars.According to social psychology,which of the following is the motive of Jordan in this scenario?

A)critical realism
B)materialism
C)naturalism
D)incorporeality

Question 30

Which of the following statements is true about national wealth being a determinant of individual well-being?

A)There is hardly any correlation between national wealth and well-being.
B)In nations that reach $20,000 GDP per person,higher levels of national wealth are predictive of increased well-being.
C)In poor countries,where low income threatens basic needs,being relatively well-off does predict increased well-being.
D)In affluent countries,people with more money perceive less control over their lives than people in poor countries.

Question 31

Which of the following statements about materialism and wealth is true?

A)In the present generation,materialism is down and spirituality is up.
B)Economic growth has provided a boost in human morale.
C)Economic growth in affluent countries has increased life satisfaction and happiness.
D)Individuals excel at making a living and often fail at making a life.

Question 32

Identify a true statement about the attitude of collegians towards materialism and wealth.

A)Spirituality among the collegians today is the higher than in the 1950s.
B)Raising a family is the primary objective among collegians in this decade.
C)Becoming very well-off financially was highest among collegians in the 1970s.
D)Developing a meaningful philosophy of life was the primary goal among collegians during the 1960s.

Question 33

For today's collegians,the goal of ________ has been at the top of their list in recent years.

A)developing a meaningful philosophy of life
B)becoming very well-off financially
C)helping others in difficulty
D)raising a family

Question 34

The tendency to adapt to a given level of stimulation and thus to notice and react to changes from that level is called the ________.

A)confirmation bias
B)achievement motivation syndrome
C)social prestige principle
D)adaptation-level phenomenon

Question 35

People with more money:

A)perceive more control over their lives.
B)have a higher stress level.
C)are less happy in poor countries.
D)are more likely to reduce their consumption.

Question 36

Avery,a 30-year-old woman,has been married to Alex for five years,and Alex is a very loving and caring man.However,he gets killed in a road mishap,and Avery finds the loss unbearable.Her friends and family support her,and she slowly recovers from the trauma even though she misses Alex.In the context of the human capacity for adaptation,Avery exhibits _____ in this scenario.

A)social comparison
B)the pleasure paradox state
C)relative deprivation
D)the adaptation-level phenomenon

Question 37

Stephanie,a young girl,thinks that she should study to become very well-off financially.She believes that if she studies well,she will get a good job after her graduation,which will enable her to buy luxurious items and have a designer wardrobe.According to social psychology,which of the following is exhibited by Stephanie in this scenario?

A)incorporeality
B)pluralistic ignorance
C)materialism
D)pro-environmental attitude

Question 38

Identify a true statement about the relationship between wealth and well-being.

A)Rich people within a country are not happier than working-class people in a country.
B)After a comfortable income level is reached,more and more money produces diminishing long-term returns.
C)People who are super-rich have reported significantly greater happiness than average.
D)People in rich nations report the same level of happiness and life satisfaction as those in poor nations.

Question 39

Among entering collegians,the proportion considering it "very important or essential" that they become "very well-off financially" has ________ between 1970 and 2014.

A)declined
B)risen slightly
C)remained stable
D)risen dramatically

Question 40

Chase,a 21-year-old freshman in a college,believes that a person is successful only when he or she is very well-off financially.He also thinks that he should own his own home soon after graduating and should buy a new car every 2 to 3 years.According to social psychology,which of the following is exhibited by Chase in this scenario?

A)materialism
B)pro-environmental attitude
C)naturalism
D)incorporeality

Question 41

According to social psychology,which of the following most likely enhances the quality of life?

A)close,supportive relationships
B)political and religious fanaticism
C)multiculturalism
D)materialism

Question 42

In the context of materialism,which of the following is an example of an extrinsic goal?

A)engaging in activities that lead to the growth of the community
B)focusing on close relationships
C)emphasizing one's wealth and beauty
D)exhibiting greater concern for nature

Question 43

The elation of winning something really important evaporating more rapidly than one's expectation is best explained by:

A)the confirmation bias.
B)the adaptation-level phenomenon.
C)cognitive dissonance.
D)Parkinson's second law.

Question 44

People who strive for extrinsic goals:

A)focus more on caring for Earth.
B)experience the highest quality of life.
C)are more likely to engage in ecologically beneficial activities.
D)are more prone to anxiety and depression.

Question 45

In the context of materialism,which of the following is most closely associated with those who strive for intrinsic goals?

A)wealth
B)beauty
C)prestige
D)personal growth

Question 46

Caleb,a financially stable man,lives in a wealthy neighborhood along with his family.When he compares his lifestyle to that of his neighbors,he becomes dissatisfied.He is frustrated that he owns a Toyota car while most of his neighbors own very expensive cars.In the context of materialism,Caleb exemplifies ________ in this scenario.

A)the adaptation-level phenomenon
B)upward social comparison
C)pluralistic ignorance
D)the pleasure paradox

Question 47

Which of the following steps by people,governments,and corporations enables a shift to postmaterialist values?

A)Urge the poor countries to reduce materialistic consumption to prevent climate change and environmental destruction.
B)Spend more time in learning the problems and issues facing the world.
C)Realize that extrinsic,materialist values make for more happy lives than intrinsic values.
D)Identify and promote the things in life that can enable sustainable human flourishing.

Question 48

Donna has been short of money and worried about her job security.Yesterday,she was surprised to find she was being promoted and given a 10 percent raise.The adaptation-level phenomenon suggests that she will:

A)soon be worried again about her finances.
B)have much better self-esteem from now on.
C)behave much less aggressively from now on.
D)be a much more ambitious,achievement-oriented worker now that she sees that her past behavior has paid off.

Question 49

Jason,a 16-year-old boy,gets injured when he gets caught in a rip current while holidaying.His spinal cord gets damaged,and he becomes paralyzed.With the support of his family,he returns to a near normal way of living with occasional bouts of sadness or frustration.In this scenario,Jason exhibits ________ in this scenario.

A)the adaptation-level phenomenon
B)social comparison
C)relative deprivation
D)the pleasure paradox state

Question 50

According to impact bias,after some event that is good or bad,people generally ________ the enduring impact of the event.

A)underestimate
B)overestimate
C)can't guess
D)can accurately predict

Question 51

Joseph has just received a 5 percent increase in his salary.However,after learning that his coworkers have all received 10 percent increases,Joseph becomes upset with his employer and dissatisfied with his raise.Joseph's dissatisfaction is a result of:

A)an upward social comparison.
B)the impact bias.
C)the misinformation effect.
D)the hydraulic model of aggression.

Question 52

Koo and her colleagues (2008)had people write about how they might never have met their romantic partner.Compared to others who wrote about meeting their partner,those who imagined not having the relationship expressed more:

A)dissatisfaction.
B)anger.
C)satisfaction.
D)sadness.

Question 53

Rising affluence in China has not produced increased happiness there because:

A)people are intrinsically motivated.
B)income inequality has grown.
C)economic growth is not good.
D)of greater health problems among baby boomers.

Question 54

In the context of the psychology of consumption,which of the following statements is true of social comparison?

A)Downward social comparisons hinder contentment.
B)Downward comparison to a hypothetical worse-off self reduces contentment.
C)Realizing that others have it worse helps a person count his or her blessings.
D)Upward social comparisons facilitate happiness and satisfaction.

Question 55

When we seek ________ goals,we tend to experience a higher quality of life.

A)extrinsic
B)monetary
C)intrinsic
D)financial

Question 56

Social comparison is:

A)evaluating one's abilities and opinions by comparing oneself with others.
B)our tendency to compare a given level of stimulation with an earlier level.
C)the tendency to adapt to social events.
D)often used to recalibrate adaptation levels.

Question 57

What does NOT enhance the quality of life?

A)close,supportive relationships
B)upward social comparison
C)positive thinking habits
D)experiencing nature

Question 58

Katherine,a nurse by profession,lives a simplistic life with her moderate income.She feels satisfied when she takes care of ailing patients and is happy with her own health and life.She feels thankful that she has been spared the physical,financial,and psychological struggles which have impacted many of her friends and acquaintances.In the context of materialism,Katherine exemplifies ________ in this scenario.

A)the pleasure paradox
B)relative deprivation
C)downward social comparison
D)the adaptation-level phenomenon

Question 59

One way that social psychology can help our world is by helping us understand that:

A)upward social comparisons reap the highest level of inner satisfaction.
B)downward social comparisons facilitate contentment.
C)we really have a good life.
D)compared to others,we don't have much.

Question 60

Because people have the capacity to ________ and to ________ comparisons,the emotional impact of life's significant events dissipates sooner than most people suppose.

A)adapt;adjust
B)filter;eliminate
C)forget;adjust
D)remember;make

Question 61

Findings from the National Opinion Research Center surveys of 50 Americans report 26 percent of those who rarely or never attend religious services say they are _______,while 48 percent of those attending multiple times weekly said they are _______.

A)unhappy;happy
B)happy;unhappy
C)unhappy;unhappy
D)very happy;very happy

Question 62

Which of the following is true of the research and findings of Gallup surveys on well-being?

A)People in all high-income countries report higher levels of positive emotions than those in low-income countries.
B)The researchers found that the best days of the week are Mondays and Fridays.
C)The researchers could identify a daily snapshot of American well-being-of people's happiness,stress,etc.
D)Americans don't like to respond to their surveys,so the numbers of responders are decreasing.

Question 63

In the context of sustainability and survival,the King of Bhutan believes that:

A)his country should become more like America.
B)his poor country can become happy by working harder.
C)upward social comparison is best for enhancing contentment.
D)gross national happiness is more important than gross national product.

Question 64

Allison,an enthusiastic chemist,works in her lab for hours together without eating food.She feels great joy when she is unselfconsciously absorbed in her experiments.Her dedication has helped her to great heights in her professional life.In the context of social psychology,Allison is most likely experiencing _______ in this scenario.

A)mindfulness
B)hypomania
C)flow
D)individual hypnosis

Question 65

Today's college students,when asked to identify their reasons for going to college,stress:

A)becoming well-off financially.
B)the value of learning.
C)developing a meaningful philosophy of life.
D)learning how to raise a family and care for others.

Question 66

Csikszentmihalyi (1990,1999)refers to the state wherein we are unselfconsciously absorbed in a mindful challenge as:

A)a trance.
B)unconditional positive regard.
C)flow.
D)individual hypnosis.

Question 67

Which of the following is a way climate educators can apply social psychology's principles in overcoming misinformation and motivated reasoning?

A)Avoid connecting the message to the audience's values.
B)Ensure the values have political color.
C)Nudge people by using "green defaults."
D)Avoid thinking local.

Question 68

Susie has just seen her test grade on her latest psychology exam on the grade sheet posted by her professor.She was disappointed to see that she received 75 percent.She feels better,however,when she looks further down the list and finds that she did better than 60 percent of her classmates.Susie is engaging in:

A)the backfire effect.
B)social comparison.
C)confirmation bias.
D)the misinformation effect.

Question 69

Frank has been feeling a great deal of stress lately because he has been struggling to meet his monthly expenses.Naturally,then,he is ecstatic when he receives a raise at work.After a few weeks,though,he again finds himself struggling to make his credit payments.Frank's situation is an example of:

A)the adaptation-level phenomenon.
B)social comparison.
C)the ingroup bias.
D)the misinformation effect.

Question 70

In the context of materialism,which of the following statements is true of wealth and well-being?

A)A decreasing proportion of people is satisfied "with the way things are going in their life today."
B)There is no correlation between national wealth and well-being.
C)There is no correlation between happiness and financial status in the third-world countries.
D)Since 1957,the number of Americans who say they are "very happy" has increased exponentially.

Question 71

Which of the following has NOT been linked to the decrease in birth rates in less-developed countries?

A)food security
B)the education of women
C)global warming
D)the empowerment of women

Question 72

Which statement about happiness and wealth is true?

A)In affluent countries,where most can afford life's necessities,affluence doesn't matter anymore.
B)People who win lotteries experience a permanent increase in overall happiness.
C)As the United States has become more affluent,its citizens have also become happier.
D)Compared to financial satisfaction,having one's psychological needs met better predicts positive,happy feelings.

Question 73

Bogota,Colombia's former mayor believes in all of the following EXCEPT:

A)building more parks.
B)increasing school enrollment.
C)that a city is successful not when it's rich,but when its people are happy.
D)having more income from visitors.

Question 74

Who is most likely to report experiencing a higher quality of life?

A)Chris,a psychology professor who focuses on his marriage,personal growth,and his volunteer efforts with the homeless
B)Sally,an attorney who is saving up for a condo on the beach,a nose job,and a new Mercedes
C)Ryan,a house painter who is just trying to make ends meet every month.
D)Miguel,an accountant who also works as a part-time salesman to ensure that he earns more than all his peers

Question 75

What major phenomenon encompasses all the following phenomena of reduction in the size of the polar ice caps,migration of plants and animals toward the poles and higher elevations,increase in rain days and longer rainy seasons,and permafrost thawing?

A)population growth
B)industrialization
C)erosion
D)global warming

Question 76

Those who seek extrinsic goals are more likely to experience anxiety,depression,and psychosomatic ills.In this context,which of the following groups of individuals is less likely to experience depression?

A)Individuals who strive for the development of their community
B)Individuals who work for attaining more wealth for themselves
C)Individuals who seek their happiness from popularity on social media sites
D)Individuals who believe that their beauty is the reason for their happiness

Question 77

The Guidelines for National Indicators of Subjective Well-Being and Ill-Being have questions available for assessing all of the following issues EXCEPT:

A)life satisfaction.
B)quality of life.
C)domain satisfaction.
D)anger levels.

Question 78

Charles,a renowned artist,loses all account of time when he is engaged in his work.He even forgets to eat while painting or making sculptures.He is not very rich,but he is very happy with his life.In the context of social psychology,Charles is most likely experiencing _______ in this scenario.

A)flow
B)unconditional positive regard
C)a trance
D)individual hypnosis

Question 79

The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to our tendency to adapt relative to a neutral level defined by:

A)our own previous experiences.
B)the empirical findings of researchers.
C)how similar others are functioning.
D)how better-off people are functioning.

Question 80

Which of the following is one of the "Five Principles of Sustainable Development" in the U.K.government's Framework of Sustainable Development?

A)Partnering with underdeveloped countries to get access to more fuel resources
B)Living within environmental limits
C)Using science for rapid exploration of depleting nonrenewable resources
D)Promoting a tax-free economy