Deck 16: Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future

Question 1

A sustainable future may be achieved through

A) increased technological efficiency.
B) increased agricultural productivity.
C) reduced consumption.
D) all of the choices are correct.

Answer 1

all of the choices are correct.

Question 2

A source of hope for a sustainable future is

A) increasing technological efficiency.
B) to educate the masses in third-world countries to consume less.
C) to decrease the rate at which technology advances.
D) all of the choices are correct.

Answer 2

increasing technological efficiency.

Question 3

Increased consumption, such as the burning of coal and oil to generate electricity and heat buildings, has contributed to

A) global warming.
B) the advance of polar icecaps.
C) earthquakes becoming more common.
D) increased birth rates in industrialized nations.

Answer 3

global warming.

Question 4

One way we can create a sustainable future is

A) cloning.
B) reduced consumption.
C) moderating global temperatures.
D) high birth rates in technologically advanced countries.

Question 5

Fiona just won 10 million dollars in the Lotto 6-49. According to research on wealth and well-being, we would expect that Fiona will

A) experience elevated well-being initially but this will decrease over time.
B) experience increased well-being because everyday cares are no longer a concern.
C) experience decreased well-being because others seem to only care about her for her money.
D) experience no change in her well-being because money cannot buy happiness.

Question 6

Steve strives for intimacy, personal growth, and ways to contribute to his community, whereas Bill works at "getting ahead" financially. In all likelihood

A) they will be equally happy.
B) Steve will be happier.
C) Bill will be happier.
D) none of the choices are correct.

Question 7

Surveys of how important university students rate becoming "very well off financially" have found that in 1970, _____ of students ranked this as very important, compared to _____ in 2005.

A) 10%; 55%
B) 28%; 85%
C) 39%; 74%
D) 15%; 91%

Question 8

The earth is being assaulted by a "double whammy" that includes

A) high inflation and high taxes.
B) more people and colder climates.
C) more people and greater consumption.
D) fewer people and greater consumption.

Question 9

Which of the following is one way to reduce individual consumption?

A) increase income tax
B) regulate birth rates
C) provide incentives for conservation behaviours
D) create a one-world economy

Question 10

According to the text, we are currently experiencing a global crisis due to ________________.

A) increased population and increased consumption
B) decreased population and decreased consumption
C) transportation problems
D) the consummation-utilization dilemma

Question 11

One pressing concern that has accompanied economic growth in developing countries, and which contributes to waste-disposal problems and emissions, is the increase in __________ that people have today.

A) televisions
B) cars
C) air conditioners
D) computers

Question 12

In affluent countries, where most can afford life's necessities, affluence still matters because people with more money

A) can buy things that make them happy.
B) have higher self-esteem because they take pride in their status.
C) perceive more control in their lives.
D) worked hard to earn it and therefore experience greater well-being.

Question 13

In poor countries, where low income often threatens basic human needs, being relatively well off _________________ greater well-being.

A) does not predict
B) does predict
C) has no effect on
D) is the same as being poor in terms of experiencing

Question 14

In Canada and Europe, the correlation between increased individual income and personal happiness is

A) surprisingly strong.
B) moderately strong.
C) about .30.
D) surprisingly weak.

Question 15

Research by Sheldon asked students to rate the extent to which 10 different needs were met by a variety of satisfying events. He found that at the bottom of the list of factors that predicted satisfaction was

A) personal growth.
B) money and luxury.
C) autonomy.
D) sense of relatedness.

Question 16

_______________ agree(s) 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; many
D) None; all

Question 17

According to studies on the total ecological footprint we are leaving, the resources from how many earths were being consumed by humanity in 2002?

A) 0.5
B) 1.0
C) 1.2
D) 2.5

Question 18

Among nations with more than $10,000 GNP per person, the correlation between national wealth and well-being is

A) close to zero.
B) around .30.
C) around .60.
D) close to .90.

Question 19

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% raise. The adaptation-level phenomenon suggests that she will

A) soon be financially worried again.
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 behaviour has paid off.

Question 20

According to the ________________, feelings of success, failure, satisfaction, and dissatisfaction are relative to prior achievements.

A) relative attainment hypothesis
B) achievement motivation syndrome
C) social prestige principle
D) adaptation-level phenomenon

Question 21

The fact that affluent people often feel as frustrated as those who have less can be understood in terms of

A) the catharsis hypothesis.
B) the weapons effect.
C) displacement.
D) the adaptation-level phenomenon.

Question 22

One way to encourage greener homes and businesses is to harness the power of immediate feedback to the consumer by installing "smart meters."

Question 23

Which of the following is a route to sustainable lifestyles?

A) increasing technological efficiency and agricultural productivity
B) moderating consumption and population
C) all of the choices are correct
D) none of the choices are correct

Question 24

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found which of the following to be true?

A) a warming greenhouse gas blanket is growing
B) sea and air temperatures are rising
C) various plant and animal species are migrating
D) all of the choices are correct

Question 25

People who are focused on ________ enjoy inherent rewards that often prove elusive to those more focused on things or on their status and image.

A) close relationships
B) meaningful work
C) concern for others
D) all of the choices are correct

Question 26

All of the following steps are involved in shifting to postmaterialist values except

A) realizing that materialist values make for less happy lives.
B) maintaining equal focus on capitalistic principles and environmental concerns.
C) identifying and promoting the things in life that matter more than economic growth.
D) facing the implications of population and consumption growth for pollution, climate change, and habitat and environmental destruction.

Question 27

James Gustave Speth is calling for an enlarged identity - a "new consciousness" - in which people do which of the following?

A) see humanity as part of nature
B) value equity, justice, and the human community
C) define quality of life in relational and spiritual rather than materialistic terms
D) all of the choices are correct

Question 28

The King of Bhutan has argued that "___________________ is more important than gross national product."

A) individual success
B) social comparison
C) collective consciousness
D) gross national happiness

Question 29

Who of the following is more likely to engage in ecologically beneficial activities like bike riding and recycling?

A) Maria who is most worried about having a job with a six figure salary
B) Susan who is most worried about her high status in her community
C) Alice who is most worried about making extra time for her family and friends
D) All of the choices are correct

Question 30

The emotional impact of significant life events

A) lasts longer than most people suppose.
B) is always negative.
C) dissipates sooner than most people suppose.
D) all of the choices are correct

Question 31

Social psychology's contribution to a sustainable future will come partly through insights into ________________ and ________________.

A) prejudice; conformity.
B) decision-making; conformity.
C) adaptation; social comparison.
D) adaptation; accommodation.

Question 32

Which of the following is true regarding public opinion about climate change in Canada?

A) Canada has passed a carbon tax on coal
B) Canada has passed a carbon emissions trading system
C) Canada has a limited plan that will make polluters pay for excess pollution
D) The Canadian population accepts the truths of global warming, but does not elect politicians who promote the policies that actively combat global warming

Question 33

In 34 Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) countries, the richest 10% now average _____ times the income of the poorest 10%.

A) five
B) six
C) nine
D) ten

Question 34

According to the text, various plant and animal species are creeping southward and downward in response to the warming world.

Question 35

Social psychologists have found that the quality of life is enhanced by

A) flow.
B) positive thinking habits.
C) close, supportive relationships.
D) all of the choices are correct.

Question 36

When people have difficulty predicting the intensity and duration of their future positive and negative emotions, this is called

A) the miswanting hypothesis.
B) the impact bias.
C) the displacement effect.
D) the adaptation-level phenomenon.

Question 37

Countries with greater inequality also have which of the following?

A) greater health problems
B) greater social problems
C) higher rates of mental illness
D) all of the choices are correct

Question 38

Who of the following is less likely to believe that global warming is a serious problem?

A) Chris from Australia
B) David from India
C) Wendy from Canada
D) Tina from the USA

Question 39

Brenda has just moved into residence and is starting her first year of university. Which of the following is likely to make her most happy?

A) Getting the beautiful and well-located dorm she wanted.
B) Meeting her roommates and forming close bonds with them.
C) Getting an entrance scholarship from the university.
D) Being sent extra spending money from her parents each month.

Question 40

In 2010, 42 million people were forced to leave their homes because of natural disasters. More than ____ of these displacements were caused by weather-related hazards.

A) 36%
B) 53%
C) 79%
D) 90%

Question 41

List several ways in which technology can help in sustaining our future.

Question 42

According to research, economic growth has provided no apparent boost to humans.

Question 43

What is the adaptation-level phenomenon and how does this relate to our sense of well-being? Provide an example to demonstrate this phenomenon.

Question 44

Are rich people happier? Cite the evidence in your answer.

Question 45

When people strongly endorse money, image, and status, they are less likely to engage in ecologically beneficial activities like riding bikes, recycling, and re-using things in new ways.

Question 46

Describe the role of social comparison processes in influencing subjective well-being.

Question 47

What are some of the suggestions in the text as to how can we enable sustaining lifestyles?

Question 48

War can be blamed, in part, due to climate change.

Question 49

According to research, a sense of autonomy-feeling free and independent-influences people's sense of well-being more than wealth does.

Question 50

The "cycle of work and spend" states people work more so they can buy more.

Question 51

Downward comparison to a hypothetical worse-off situation self-enhances contentment.

Question 52

Research has shown that experiencing nature can lead to more happiness, as well as, lower stress hormones and blood pressure compared to not experiencing nature.

Question 53

If materialism does not enhance the quality of life, what does? Identify and discuss all four factors.