Deck 2: Eastern and Western Perspectives on Positive Psychology

Question 1

What contrast exists between Eastern and Western cultural views on optimal living?

A) Western cultures view it as being righteous, while Eastern cultures perceive it as attaining higher wisdom.
B) Eastern cultures interpret it as harmonious living, while Western cultures view it as living in an altruistic manner.
C) Western cultures believe that it involves improving life, while Eastern cultures believe that it involves striving for higher achievements.
D) Eastern cultures view optimal living as spiritual transcendence, while Western cultures view it as a hopeful pursuit for better life on Earth.

Answer 1

Eastern cultures view optimal living as spiritual transcendence, while Western cultures view it as a hopeful pursuit for better life on Earth.

Question 2

If you were giving to the poor and are guided by Islamic principles, what guidelines would you have to follow?

A) Ensuring that someone has witnessed you being charitable to verify the act.
B) Setting aside and donating a certain percentage of your earnings, depending on your income.
C) Doing it in secrecy to maintain your humility and spare the recipient from embarrassment.
D) Providing options for the type of donation the recipient can accept, such as money or goods.

Answer 2

Doing it in secrecy to maintain your humility and spare the recipient from embarrassment.

Question 3

Which of the following religions has been disputed by scholars as being a part of Eastern or Western cultures?

A) Islam
B) Judeo-Christianity
C) Taoism
D) Buddhism

Answer 3

Islam

Question 4

According to Confucianism, what are the five virtues associated with a moral existence?

A) Humanity, duty, etiquette, wisdom, truthfulness
B) Courage, duty, etiquette, wisdom, empathy
C) Etiquette, equality, humanity, wisdom, courage
D) Honesty, duty, etiquette, wisdom, love

Question 5

The Islamic virtue that emphasizes equality of all is known as ______.

A) gratitude
B) kindness
C) courage
D) justice

Question 6

In consideration of virtuous life, which of these describes a similarity that exists between the Seven Heavenly Virtues and The Talmud?

A) Being active in the political community.
B) Charitability and hospitality to others.
C) Seeking enlightenment.
D) Connecting to the earth.

Question 7

The translation of Tao is ______ and refers to ______.

A) The Way; the route to enlightenment
B) The Path; the route to enlightenment
C) The Tree; the roots of a good life
D) The Way; the energy that surrounds everyone

Question 8

To what story do the Anishinaabe attribute their value system?

A) The Book of Matthew
B) The Seven Grandfathers' Teachings
C) The Book of Job
D) The Stories of Spiritual Origin

Question 9

In what way is Confucianism like the teachings of Aristotle and Plato?

A) They emphasize the responsibility of leaders to take charge of a group.
B) Much of the focus is on etiquette and sensitivity for others.
C) Their views came about during times of peace and civility and aimed to continue this.
D) There exists the need for a sense of humility so that people are not overconfident.

Question 10

What would a follower of Confucianism need to do in order to accomplish the virtue of xin?

A) Treat others well.
B) Be sensitive to the feelings of others.
C) Be truthful.
D) Develop wisdom.

Question 11

While Western cultures have traditionally placed more emphasis on qualities such as self-efficacy, Eastern cultures have focused on ______.

A) expressing emotions
B) living well
C) hope
D) optimism

Question 12

If you were following Aristotle's teachings, how would you manage to become self-actualized regarding virtue?

A) Respecting the views of elders.
B) Letting go of connections to others.
C) Fulfilling other human needs.
D) Living a life of sanction and order.

Question 13

______ is one of the influential Western traditions, along with the Judeo-Christian and Athenian traditions.

A) Buddhism
B) Islam
C) Confucianism
D) Taoism

Question 14

Aristotle claimed that ______ is required to reach enduring human excellence,

A) strength of character
B) altruism
C) kindness to others
D) duty and nobility

Question 15

Which philosopher indicated that there are 11 moral virtues?

A) Plato
B) Nietzsche
C) Aristotle
D) Socrates

Question 16

Teachings from the Anishinaabe implicate that there are seven values, each represented by different ______.

A) gods
B) weather patterns
C) ancient ancestors
D) animals

Question 17

Thomas Aquinas referred to faith, hope, and charity as part of the ______.

A) Ten Commandments
B) Armor of God
C) Seven Heavenly Virtues
D) Shield of the Trinity

Question 18

Which of these views would guide the behavior of someone from an Eastern background?

A) Optimal functioning
B) Wisdom
C) Hedonism
D) Independence

Question 19

Which term is best described as our ability to go beyond desire and suffering and to see things clearly for what they are?

A) Harmony
B) Karma
C) Enlightenment
D) Chakra

Question 20

According to Aristotle, which entity should be responsible for development of virtue?

A) Parents or guardians.
B) The government.
C) Colleges and universities.
D) Elder community leaders.

Question 21

The Eastern religious tradition that lacks an identifiable founder is ______.

A) Buddhism
B) Confucianism
C) Taoism
D) Hinduism

Question 22

The Japanese story of Momotaro, the adopted child, exemplifies many cultural themes which includes ______.

A) helping in exchange for certain benefits
B) acting for the good of the group
C) the benefits of acting independently
D) seeking out personal fortune

Question 23

In Hinduism, what does karma refers to?

A) Attaining a better placement in the world in the next life.
B) The ability to achieve the ultimate self-knowledge in one's life.
C) Receiving good luck by being kind to others.
D) Avoiding returning to Earth via reincarnation.

Question 24

By practicing humanity, justice, temperance, and propriety, and doing so without effort, what would a Taoist achieve?

A) Being reincarnated into a higher being.
B) Realizing naturalness and spontaneity in life.
C) Finding joy in everyday living.
D) Enjoying the journey over the destination.

Question 25

What would a fairytale that originates from a Western culture, such as the United States, feature as a theme?

A) Acting independently or not relying on others to solve a problem.
B) Working together with others to reach a common goal.
C) Promoting harmony among all characters throughout the story.
D) Sharing rewards with other members of the group.

Question 26

What desire do people from collectivistic societies tend to hold?

A) A desire for uniqueness.
B) A desire to seeking relationships.
C) A desire for harmony.
D) A desire to be around others.

Question 27

Which of the following is the best example of individualism?

A) Staying with one's parents after graduating high school or college.
B) Striving to attain an executive position at a company.
C) Attending a community or church event.
D) Working with fellow students to fill out a study guide to get a good grade.

Question 28

Considering that citizens in individualist countries strive to stand out from others, which of these qualities is a high need?

A) Conformity
B) Dependence
C) Uniqueness
D) Cohesiveness

Question 29

Which of the following best describes the contrast between advertisements in the United States and Korea, as it relates to Individualism and Collectivism?

A) Ads on television are louder in the United States and quieter in Korea.
B) Ads in the United States are more concrete, and Korean ads are more abstract.
C) Ads in Korea are more conservative, and ads in the United States are more liberal.
D) Ads in Korea cater to conformity, and ads in the United States cater to uniqueness.

Question 30

In traditional Eastern culture, what orientation to time is most common?

A) Valuing a future orientation over the present and the past.
B) Valuing a future orientation over the past.
C) Valuing a past orientation over the future.
D) Valuing a simultaneous appreciation on past, present, and future.

Question 31

What does research indicate tends to occur as people get older?

A) People become more individualistic.
B) People become more altruistic.
C) People become more collectivistic.
D) People become more materialistic.

Question 32

Individualism is best described as containing constructs for ______.

A) achievement of one's goals
B) acting without consideration of others
C) attaining happiness without others
D) hope and the need for uniqueness

Question 33

The belief that one unifying concept interconnects all people is crucial to Hinduism. Considering this, which human strength may be highly valued?

A) Competition
B) Achievement
C) Harmony
D) Gratitude

Question 34

What is nirvana?

A) A state in which a person desires meaningful relationships.
B) A time often associated with the development of Eastern religious practices.
C) A state in which the self is freed from desire for anything.
D) A feeling achieved through common positive psychological practice.

Question 35

People in collectivistic societies tend to be more ______ in their interactions with others.

A) formal
B) polite
C) discreet
D) informal

Question 36

Which of the following best describes the difference between premortal and postmortal nirvana states, as detailed in Buddhism?

A) Premortal involves suffering, and the postmortal state involves reaching the ultimate good.
B) Premortal requires connections to others, and postmortal ceases those connections.
C) Premortal is related to the ultimate good in life, and postmortal is similar to heaven.
D) Premortal involves removal from suffering, and postmortal is akin to removal from desire.

Question 37

How would people from a collectivist culture view their role in a large company?

A) They would look to improve their position in the company and receive promotions.
B) They would consider how their role helps the company perform.
C) They would assume that others are trying to take their position and work harder.
D) They would think that its importance is tied to their salary and duties.

Question 38

Which of these virtues do the authors discuss as being defined differently across religions?

A) Wisdom
B) Karma
C) Courage
D) Nirvana

Question 39

In what way did hunter-gatherers begin to reflect the ideals of collectivism?

A) They fought with one another to keep the population at a manageable number.
B) They shared emotional bonds and resources to foster a sense of belongingness.
C) They ensured that each member had a unique identity despite working together.
D) They encouraged members to enhance their survival skills to create a sense of competition.

Question 40

Which of these Eastern religious traditions has a central focus on personal betterment that is similar to Western cultures?

A) Confucianism
B) Hinduism
C) Shamanism
D) Taoism

Question 41

Compared to someone who has very high similarity to you and changes to be less similar, how would someone with very slight similarity change their behavior? Not sure if this is a clear question

A) The person would not have to change their behavior.
B) The person would wait for you to behave more similarly.
C) The person would
D) The person would behavior more similarly to you.

Question 42

What is the term for the attributes that provide an acceptable method for citizens to show their differences?

A) Individualism
B) Strangeness
C) Uniqueness
D) Mannerisms

Question 43

While some scholars refer to the desire to be special in comparison to others as the need for uniqueness, a similar term used for this desire is ______.

A) the need for specialization
B) the motive for distinctiveness
C) the individuality motive
D) the independence factor

Question 44

Which period marked the beginning of hope being viewed as more prevalent in present life?

A) The Renaissance
B) The Middle Ages
C) The Age of Enlightenment
D) The Industrial Revolution

Question 45

What might an individualist need to notice while engaging in conflict with a collectivist?

A) The collectivist also desires to move on to other matters quickly.
B) The collectivist prioritizes saving face during confrontations.
C) The collectivist pushes the individualist to defend their position.
D) The collectivist will explore the emotional reactions that arise during the conflict.

Question 46

Which of the following should individualists consider when conducting business?

A) Getting down to business.
B) How to negotiate deals one-on-one.
C) Moving through the process efficiently.
D) Understanding collectivist norms.

Question 47

The authors indicate that a powerful underlying force throughout Western civilization has been ______.

A) faithfulness
B) trustworthiness
C) hope
D) independence Seems like this could be an answer as well?

Question 48

Which of the following accurately distinguishes Confucian teachings of happiness from Greek views on happiness?

A) Happiness is centered upon achieving harmony in one's life.
B) Happiness is dependent on living a dutiful life.
C) Happiness is finding joy amid one's constraints.
D) Happiness is a combination of harmony and freedom from duty.

Question 49

The Taoist yin and yang symbol represent ______.

A) The connection of the past to the future
B) The transcendence of time and place
C) The balance of the old and the new
D) The balance between opposing forces and desires.

Question 50

How would you expect someone to react upon realizing that they have a high degree of similarity to you?

A) They will react with positive emotions.
B) They will not react much or at all.
C) They will react negatively.
D) They will react upon noticing your reaction. Convoluted.

Question 51

In contrast to Western students learning about and understanding different cultures in the classroom, what method(s) would a traditional Easterner use?

A) Reading and reflecting on the lessons learned.
B) Reaching out to others from a different culture.
C) Self-exploration and hands-on experience.
D) Combining the cultural elements together.

Question 52

If someone abides by the four universal virtues, which of the following would be the most significant to attain?

A) High emotional intelligence.
B) Transcendental compassion.
C) Unconditional positive regard.
D) An indomitable will.

Question 53

Snyder and Fromkin developed ______, a scale that identifies the individual differences within the need to behave distinctively.

A) the Need for Distinction Scale
B) the Autonomous Values Scale
C) the Need for Uniqueness Scale
D) the Individualism Scale

Question 54

During interactions with individualists, a collectivist might find it suitable to discuss ______ to attain status with the individualists.

A) recent accomplishments
B) harmonious relationships
C) the achievements of their peers
D) rewards earned throughout their life

Question 55

What phenomenon do reports indicate is responsible for the individualistic culture of the United States?

A) The capitalistic economy.
B) Having ancestors who were originally Europeans.
C) Isolationist foreign policy throughout early history.
D) A rise in nationalism throughout the 1900s.

Question 56

What percentage of people on earth are estimated to be collectivistic?

A) 90%
B) 30%
C) 50%
D) 70%

Question 57

What level of similarity is rated as being the most comfortable for people?

A) Extremely low levels of similarity
B) Moderate to low levels of similarity
C) Moderate to high levels of similarity
D) Extremely high levels of similarity

Question 58

Although it is highly valued in Eastern cultures, ______ has received minimal attention by positive psychology.

A) compassion
B) honor
C) uniqueness
D) harmony

Question 59

What might be the result of holding both the ME and WE perspectives?

A) Someone can find out which perspective is better.
B) People can choose the most suitable perspective for their family to abide by.
C) There can be more meaningful interactions with those who hold different views.
D) People can come together to create a new view.

Question 60

Which of the following best distinguishes Eastern and Western philosophical approaches to life?

A) Easterners seek out happiness, while Westerners avoid obstacles and hazards.
B) Easterners attempt to find balance, but Westerners strive for happiness.
C) Easterners try to endure all obstacles, and Westerners search for the ultimate good.
D) Easterners pursue emotional detachment, and Westerners seek freedom.

Question 61

A mediator must handle an argument between two people, one from an individualist culture and one from a collectivist culture. The person from the individualist culture has remained engaged in the argument, while the person from the collectivist culture seems to have withdrawn from their position. What can the mediator explain to each of these people about the cultural misunderstanding taking place when it comes to handling conflict?

Question 62

During the 21^st century, many countries have become less interdependent.

Question 63

Group harmony is prevalent throughout the philosophies that influence Western societies.

Question 64

How do the facets of compassion play a role in the search for the good life in Eastern cultures?

Question 65

Within individualistic societies, such as the United States, the form of individualism remains roughly the same in different regions.

Question 66

When dealing with conflict, individualists should be aware that collectivists seek to avoid conflict.

Question 67

Eastern cultures are taught that compassion is a key virtue to have in the search for the "good life."

Question 68

Suppose that you have a friend who wants to meet an acquaintance of yours. You realize that your friend and acquaintance are both very similar in their interests and behaviors. Describe how would you explain to your friend how to go about approaching your acquaintance, and the reason why.

Question 69

A "rugged individualist" in America pursues personal goals through hard work.

Question 70

Westerners, such as United States citizens, tend to have a focus on the future.

Question 71

Research indicates that people in lower social classes are more likely to be collectivist in their views.

Question 72

People are accepted when they deviate from expected behaviors in an individualistic society.

Question 73

Scholars declared that one of Confucius' most famous sayings is a precursor to the "Golden Rule."

Question 74

Studies show that as someone becomes more sensitized to money, their need for uniqueness grows accordingly.
Not sure I'm getting the question?

Question 75

African-Americans tend to show more competitiveness despite being a disadvantaged ethnic group.

Question 76

When seeking relationships, people in individualistic societies tend to look at disadvantages in starting the relationship.

Question 77

Both Eastern and Western cultures contain the concept of the "good life."

Question 78

What are the similarities and differences that the Buddhist concept of nirvana and the Hindu concept of karma share?

Question 79

When forming relationships with others, what are the differences in the approaches of people from individualistic and collectivistic societies?

Question 80

Eastern stories tend to feature the value of attaining personal gain while potentially losing something else.