Question 1

As a child,Jonah was awkward and did not have many friends.Consequently,he experienced low self-esteem.Now that he is older,he has developed many solid friendships and feels comfortable around and valued by others.As an adult,his self-esteem has improved dramatically.Which theory would predict this change in self-esteem?

Accepted Answer

Sociometer theory proposes that self-esteem is a gauge of how much one is accepted and valued by others. Therefore, as Jonah developed solid friendships and felt more comfortable and valued by others, his self-esteem improved.

Question 2

Ahmed states that he has high self-esteem and is happy with his life.Based on this information,it is possible to predict:

Accepted Answer

Having high self-esteem and happiness with one's life does not necessarily correlate with achievement in other areas of life. Therefore, very little can be predicted about his level of achievement in other areas of his life.

Question 3

Terror management theory predicts that people will act in ways that enhance their self-esteem when:

Accepted Answer

Terror management theory posits that when individuals are confronted with reminders of their own mortality (e.g. sickness and death), they may engage in behaviors that bolster their self-esteem as a way of coping with the anxiety and fear that the reminders evoke. Therefore, C is the correct choice because it reflects this aspect of the theory. The other options do not directly relate to the predictions of terror management theory.

Question 4

According to sociometer theory,self-esteem is important because it:

Accepted Answer

Sociometer theory posits that self-esteem acts as a gauge for monitoring social acceptance and rejection. It functions to let an individual know when they are fitting in with their group or when they are being excluded. In this way, self-esteem is closely tied to social belongingness and the need to maintain positive relationships with others.

Question 5

Most people feel they are _____,and this view is _____.

Accepted Answer

Most people tend to overestimate their abilities, leading to the "above average effect," where they believe they are better than average, which is statistically unlikely and thus inaccurate.

Question 6

Recently,a massive flood destroyed Isaac's home.Isaac believes he would have died in the flood if his neighbor had not rescued him.According to terror management theory,how is Isaac likely to feel after this traumatic experience?

Accepted Answer

According to terror management theory, individuals may experience higher self-esteem when they engage in meaningful activities that distract them from thoughts of mortality. It is possible that Isaac may engage in such activities after the traumatic experience of the flood and his rescue, leading to higher self-esteem.

Question 7

When George mentions many times that his cousin is a famous basketball star,he is "basking in the glow of reflected glory." This tendency:

Accepted Answer

Basking in the glow of reflected glory is a self-evaluation maintenance strategy, which means that individuals will associate themselves with successful others in order to boost their self-esteem. Therefore, it does not result in lower self-esteem for George or those listening to him, nor is it the same as social esteem.

Question 8

Marta has a successful job,is married to a handsome and kind person,and has three intelligent children.What would you predict about Marta's self-esteem based on this information?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Marta has a successful job,is married to...

Question 9

When Jon scored a 95 on his first psychology exam,he reported that he had spent a great deal of time studying.When he scored a 60 on his second psychology exam,he stated that the exam was poorly written.These responses are an example of:

Accepted Answer

Jon's responses indicate a self-serving bias, as he is taking credit for his success and blaming external factors for his failure. This is a common tendency for individuals to maintain a positive self-image.

Question 10

Making downward comparisons is associated with:

Accepted Answer

Making downward comparisons, where individuals compare themselves to others who are worse off, is generally associated with increased self-esteem as it can make individuals feel better about their own situation.

Question 11

After failing a test,Troy explained his poor performance by saying,"I planned to study really hard for this exam,but I was feeling sick,so I did poorly." During a previous exam,when Troy did well,he said that he studied for many hours and that all his hard work had paid off.Troy is showing evidence of:

Accepted Answer

Troy's explanation for his poor performance shows a self-serving bias, as he is attributing his failure to external factors (feeling sick) rather than taking responsibility for his own actions (not studying enough). Additionally, he took credit for his previous success by attributing it to his own hard work, further supporting the idea of a self-serving bias.

Question 12

Shelly feels she is more attractive than most people,will be successful,and will have a high degree of control over the major decisions in her life.Which of these phenomena is Shelly most clearly showing?

Accepted Answer

Shelly is displaying a set of positive illusions, which are overly favorable and unrealistic beliefs about oneself that can enhance well-being and motivation.

Question 13

If a person's sociometer indicates a low probability of rejection and the person is not worried about how he or she is perceived by others,the person has _____ self-esteem.

Accepted Answer

A high probability of acceptance and not being worried about how one is perceived by others are indications of high self-esteem. Therefore, a person with a low probability of rejection and no worries about the perception of others has high self-esteem.

Question 14

Shariah has noticed that people in her social group have been avoiding her.They no longer call her or ask her to go out with them.Shariah used to have high self-esteem,but now she is experiencing low self-esteem.What theory would predict this change in her self-esteem?

Accepted Answer

Sociometer theory suggests that self-esteem is an indicator of our relational value with others. If we feel accepted by others, our self-esteem is high, but if we feel rejected, our self-esteem takes a hit. In this scenario, Shariah's social group avoiding her has caused her to feel rejected, consequently leading to low self-esteem.

Question 15

The better-than-average effect applies to:

Accepted Answer

The better-than-average effect is a cognitive bias where most people believe they are above average in various abilities or traits, which statistically is not possible for everyone.

Question 16

Self-esteem and objective life outcomes are:

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that self-esteem is weakly related to objective life outcomes, meaning that while there is some connection, it is not strong or consistent across different studies and contexts.

Question 17

Which of the following constructs is most clearly related to reflected appraisal?

Accepted Answer

Reflected appraisal is the process by which we learn about ourselves through the way others see us. Self-esteem is the evaluation we make of ourselves based on our own perceptions and the perceptions of others. Therefore, self-esteem is most clearly related to reflected appraisal.

Question 18

Most people:

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that most people exhibit all of these tendencies. They tend to have an optimistic bias when predicting their futures, overestimate their control over events, and overestimate their abilities. This is known as the "illusion of control" and can lead to negative outcomes such as taking on too much risk or failing to plan for potential obstacles.

Question 19

Frank feels that he is more valuable and more special than people around him.He is also more focused on his own needs than on the needs of anyone else,and he feels angry when someone asks him for help.Frank has:

Accepted Answer

Frank's behavior displays traits commonly associated with narcissistic personality disorder, such as an inflated sense of importance, lack of empathy, and a focus on personal needs above others'. This is different from low self-esteem, which typically involves feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, not a sense of superiority. Multiple personality disorder is also unrelated, as it involves the presence of multiple distinct identities within one individual.

Question 20

Janine loves to get attention in social situations.She often talks about herself and her many achievements (which she usually exaggerates),and she believes others should perceive her as especially interesting,worthy,and valuable.Janine has:

Accepted Answer

Janine's behavior is characteristic of a narcissistic personality. People with this personality type have an inflated sense of self-importance and a need for constant admiration and attention. They often exaggerate their achievements and are preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, and attractiveness. They also have difficulty empathizing with others and tend to exploit or manipulate them for their own gain.

Quiz 13: Personality