Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Close, supportive relationships have been consistently found to enhance the quality of life in social psychology research. Political and religious fanaticism, multiculturalism, and materialism may have mixed effects on the quality of life depending on the context and individual differences.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Extrinsic goals refer to those that are focused on external or superficial factors such as wealth, appearance, or status. Option C emphasizes on one's wealth and beauty, making it an example of an extrinsic goal. Options A, B, and D are examples of intrinsic goals, which focus on personal growth, meaningful relationships, and concern for the environment, respectively.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to the tendency of humans to quickly adapt to changes in their environment or circumstances, and eventually return to a baseline level of happiness or satisfaction. In the context of winning something important, the initial elation and excitement may quickly fade as the person adapts to the new state of being a winner and returns to their baseline level of happiness.

Question 4

People who strive for extrinsic goals:

Accepted Answer

Research shows that those who prioritize extrinsic goals, such as wealth, status, and physical attractiveness, are more likely to experience negative emotions like anxiety and depression. This is because the pursuit of these goals can lead to a sense of never being satisfied or feeling like one's self-worth is tied to external factors. There is no evidence to suggest that focusing on extrinsic goals leads to greater care for the environment or a higher quality of life.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Those who strive for intrinsic goals are focused on personal growth and development, rather than external factors such as wealth, beauty, or prestige, which are associated with extrinsic goals. Materialism is more closely associated with the pursuit of extrinsic goals.

Question 6

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.

Accepted Answer

Caleb's comparison with his neighbors and dissatisfaction with his own possessions is an example of upward social comparison, which refers to the tendency to compare oneself to those who are perceived to be higher in status or have more resources. The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to the tendency to adapt to a certain level of comfort or luxury, and may not be applicable in this scenario. Pluralistic ignorance refers to the belief that others hold attitudes or beliefs that are different from one's own, while the pleasure paradox refers to the tendency for activities that are initially pleasurable to become less enjoyable over time.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Identifying and promoting the things in life that can enable sustainable human flourishing is the most effective step towards shifting to postmaterialist values as it encourages a focus on intrinsic values that prioritize human well-being rather than material possessions. Urging poor countries to reduce materialistic consumption may not be effective as it can be seen as imposing values on them. Spending more time learning about issues facing the world may not necessarily lead to a shift in values. Realizing that materialist values do not lead to happier lives may also not be sufficient to promote a shift to postmaterialist values.

Question 8

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:

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon suggests that people adapt to new situations and eventually return to their previous level of happiness or dissatisfaction. In Donna's case, although she received a promotion and a raise, she may soon become accustomed to her new salary and find new worries or concerns. Thus, she may soon be worried again about her finances.

Question 9

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.

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to humans' tendency to adapt to their circumstances and return to their baseline level of happiness, even after experiencing significant changes such as Jason's paralysis. Though he may experience occasional bouts of sadness or frustration, he has adapted to his new way of living with the support of his family.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Impact bias refers to the tendency of people to overestimate the length or the intensity of the emotional impact of future events, meaning they often think that the outcomes of events (good or bad) will have a more significant and lasting effect on their lives than they actually do.

Question 11

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:

Accepted Answer

Joseph's dissatisfaction is a result of an upward social comparison, where he is comparing his salary increase to that of his coworkers and feels he is being treated unfairly.

Question 12

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:

Accepted Answer

This exercise of imagining not having met their romantic partner led to increased satisfaction, as it likely made individuals appreciate their relationship more by considering the positive aspects that would have been missed.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Income inequality in China has grown alongside rising affluence, and research has shown that income inequality can negatively affect happiness levels, even among those who are relatively affluent.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Social comparison theory suggests that individuals evaluate their own abilities and opinions by comparing themselves to others. In the psychology of consumption, social comparison can impact overall contentment with life. Downward social comparisons (comparing oneself to those worse off) can be initially satisfying, but ultimately lead to negative affect and hinder contentment. Upward social comparisons (comparing oneself to those better off) can lead to dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem. However, research has shown that comparing oneself to a hypothetical worse-off self can lead to increased contentment, as it highlights and reinforces a person's current blessings and privileges. Therefore, option C is the correct choice as it reflects that realizing that others have it worse helps a person count his or her blessings, leading to contentment.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Intrinsic goals are those that come from within, such as personal growth, meaningful relationships, and contributing to society. These goals align with our values and desires, and pursuing them can lead to a greater sense of purpose and well-being. On the other hand, extrinsic goals, such as wealth, status, and appearance, are based on external validation and can lead to feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. Therefore, pursuing intrinsic goals is likely to result in a higher quality of life.

Question 16

Social comparison is:

Accepted Answer

Social comparison refers to the process by which individuals evaluate their abilities and opinions by comparing themselves with others. It is a common social psychological phenomenon that is believed to play an important role in shaping our perceptions of ourselves, others, and the world around us. This process can lead to upward or downward social comparison, in which an individual compares themselves to someone better or worse off than them, respectively.

Question 17

What does NOT enhance the quality of life?

Accepted Answer

Upward social comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, which can ultimately have a negative impact on one's quality of life.

Question 18

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.

Accepted Answer

Katherine exemplifies downward social comparison in this scenario because she feels thankful by comparing her situation to those who are worse off, which helps her appreciate her own circumstances more. This comparison to those less fortunate can increase her satisfaction with her own life.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Downward social comparisons can help us feel better about ourselves and our situation. This is important in a world where people often compare themselves to others and feel inadequate or unhappy as a result. Understanding the positive effects of downward social comparisons can help individuals focus on the positive aspects of their life and avoid negative comparisons.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

The words "adapt" and "adjust" suggest that people are able to cope with and get used to the emotional impact of significant events, which means the impact diminishes over time. The other answer choices either don't make sense or don't accurately reflect the idea presented in the sentence.

Quiz 16: Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future