Question 1

One reason why it is difficult to do research on happiness is that

Accepted Answer

Happiness is a subjective emotional state and therefore difficult to measure objectively. Self-reports are used to measure happiness, but they are subject to bias and error. People may overestimate or underestimate their level of happiness, depending on various factors such as social desirability biases, individual differences in temperament, and cultural norms. Therefore, researchers need to be cautious when interpreting self-reported data on happiness.

Question 2

On the average,people with great wealth rate themselves as only slightly happier than people with much less wealth.One reason why these results are difficult to interpret is that

Accepted Answer

The rating scales used in happiness surveys may be interpreted differently by individuals, making it challenging to accurately compare happiness levels across different wealth groups.

Question 3

On the average,people without much wealth rate themselves almost as happy as very wealthy people do.However,it is difficult to draw any conclusion from these results because

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that people rate themselves on a happiness scale, but there is no indication that everyone interprets that scale in the same way. Therefore, we cannot be sure that a certain number on the scale means the same thing to different people. This makes it difficult to draw any conclusions from the results.

Question 4

Given some adult person,chosen at random,which of the following is the best predictor of how happy that person will be a few years from now?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that a person's current level of happiness is one of the strongest predictors of their future happiness. Wealth, marriage, and climate do have some influence, but they are not as strong of predictors as current level of happiness.

Question 5

New research on the influence of wealth on happiness has led researchers to conclude that

Accepted Answer

The research suggests that there is little or no relationship between wealth and subjective well-being. This means that money does not necessarily buy happiness, and increased wealth does not necessarily lead to increased happiness.

Question 6

Comparisons of adult twins living under different circumstances leads to the conclusion that subject well-being depends largely on

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that twins who were separated at birth and raised in different environments often have similar levels of well-being later in life, suggesting that genetics play a larger role in well-being than environmental factors such as wealth or marital status. This points to the importance of a lifelong temperament or disposition, which is largely determined by genetics. Changes in day-to-day events may affect immediate mood, but long-term well-being appears to be more deeply rooted.

Question 7

On the average,people without much wealth rate themselves as almost as happy as very wealthy people do.However,it is difficult to draw any conclusion from these results because

Accepted Answer

The statement that people without much wealth rate themselves almost as happy as very wealthy people does not necessarily mean that they are equally happy. This is because we cannot be sure that a certain number on a rating scale means the same thing to different people. For example, a 7 out of 10 for one person might mean significantly happier than a 7 out of 10 for another person. Therefore, it is difficult to draw any conclusion from these results.

Question 8

What emotion word literally means "bad taste"?

Accepted Answer

The word "disgust" literally means a strong feeling of revulsion or repugnance, often due to something that has a bad taste.

Question 9

People who became wealthy suddenly (as by winning a lottery)are very happy at first,but return to previous happiness levels within a few months.Of the following,which is NOT a likely explanation for the decline?

Accepted Answer

The other options suggest potential reasons why sudden wealth may not lead to sustained increases in happiness, but C cannot be attributed to sudden wealth alone and is not a likely explanation for the decline in happiness levels.

Question 10

When people rate their happiness,which of the following does NOT correlate significantly with their answers?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that climate has little to no significant correlation with self-reported happiness. On the other hand, having a goal in life, past happiness levels, and marital status have been found to have a significant correlation with people's self-reported happiness.

Question 11

An emotional reaction to a violation of community standards is known as __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An emotional reaction to a violation of...

Question 12

A narrow definition of the emotion __________ refers to a feeling of contamination if something were to get into your mouth.

Accepted Answer

The narrow definition of the emotion described in the statement is that of disgust, which is a feeling of revulsion or aversion towards something that is possibly dangerous or unclean.

Question 13

Which of the following statements regarding the feeling of embarrassment is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Psychologists do not draw a clear distinction between the feeling of embarrassment and shame. In fact, the two emotions are often used interchangeably in research and everyday language.

Question 14

The area of psychology that deals with the ways people's behavior can enhance health and prevent illness is called __________ psychology.

Accepted Answer

The question specifically asks for the area of psychology that deals with enhancing health and preventing illness, which is covered under health psychology. While functional psychology examines how behavior helps individuals adapt to their environments, behavioral psychology focuses on the impact of reinforcement and punishment on behavior. Gestalt psychology, on the other hand, examines how individuals perceive and interpret information.

Question 15

Participants in one study watched a very sad film.Participants were encouraged to cry in one condition and instructed to not cry if possible in the other condition.The results indicated

Accepted Answer

The answer of Participants in one study watched a very...

Question 16

When people of different countries are asked about their subject well-being,the following pattern emerges:

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects the phenomenon known as the Easterlin Paradox, which suggests that once basic needs are met, additional wealth does not necessarily lead to greater happiness. Therefore, people in technologically advanced and prosperous countries may not be happier than those in somewhat less prosperous countries.

Note: The other options presented do not accurately reflect the pattern that emerges when measuring subjective well-being across different countries.

Question 17

Of the following,which one most accurately states a way to predict how happy someone will report being?

Accepted Answer

Option C states that people who have a high set point for happiness are more likely to report being happy. This is in line with research on genetic and personality factors that influence happiness. Option A and B are too deterministic and do not account for individual differences, while option D is not entirely accurate as research shows a U-shaped curve of happiness across the lifespan, rather than a gradual decline.

Question 18

In order to measure happiness,most researchers use

Accepted Answer

Most researchers use a measure of subjective well-being, which can include self-reported ratings of life satisfaction, positive emotions, and lack of negative emotions. This is considered the most reliable and valid method of measuring happiness. PET scans are used to measure brain activity but are not specific to measuring happiness. The Positive Psychology Index is not a widely recognized measure of happiness. Behavioral observations of smiling can be an indicator of happiness, but it is not as reliable or valid as subjective well-being measures.

Question 19

Which of the following appears to be the strongest determinant of people's happiness?

Accepted Answer

The available options suggest that temperament is the strongest determinant of people's happiness. While wealth, climate, and age can have some impact on happiness, temperament plays a critical role. Happy people tend to remain happy throughout life, which indicates that individual differences in temperament, such as positivity and emotional stability, are stronger predictors of happiness than external factors. Furthermore, research in positive psychology has shown that interventions aimed at improving temperament can enhance well-being and life satisfaction, supporting the claim that temperament is a key determinant of happiness.

Question 20

Which of the following statements regarding sadness and crying is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

People usually feel sad due to a sense of loss. This is a common reason for experiencing sadness, whether it's loss of a loved one, a job or opportunity, or the end of a relationship. Crying can be a natural response to this sadness and can help to release pent-up emotions, although not everyone cries when they feel sad.

Quiz 12: Emotional Behaviors,stress,and Health