Question 1

Which of the following is an example of a downward comparison?

Accepted Answer

Downward comparison involves comparing oneself to someone who is perceived as worse off or less successful. Comparing one's current self to one's past self fits this definition, as it involves comparing to a previous version of oneself who may not have achieved as much or been as successful. The other options (comparing to a boss, the president, or one's parents) do not involve downward comparison, as these individuals may be perceived as more successful or accomplished than oneself.

Question 2

The strategy of "basking in the glow of reflected glory":

Accepted Answer

Basking in the glow of reflected glory is a strategy where people associate themselves with successful others to boost their own self-esteem. It maintains self-esteem by allowing individuals to take credit for the success of others and feel good about themselves as a result.

Question 3

The better-than-average effect applies to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The better-than-average effect applies to:
...

Question 4

Arianna is talking to Tatsuye,a foreign exchange student from Japan.She notices that he often criticizes his own efforts and says,"I could work harder; I am actually kind of lazy." However,Arianna knows Tatsuye is a gifted and high-achieving student,so she is confused by his comments.Based on what you know about research on culture and the self,what would you tell Arianna about Tatsuye's comments?

Accepted Answer

The behavior that Tatsuye exhibits is consistent with a cultural norm of modesty that is commonly found in East Asian cultures. In these cultures, it is frowned upon to boast about one's accomplishments or to overly praise oneself. Instead, individuals are expected to be humble and self-effacing in public, even if they are actually talented or accomplished. Tatsuye may genuinely believe that he could work harder, but he may also be expressing humility to avoid appearing arrogant or boastful.

Question 5

How are self-esteem and the better-than-average effect related?

Accepted Answer

The better-than-average effect is the tendency for people to overestimate their abilities and qualities compared to others. People with high self-esteem have a positive self-image and tend to view themselves in a positive light. This can lead them to believe that they are better than others in various ways, which is a manifestation of the better-than-average effect. Therefore, people with high self-esteem are more likely to display this bias.

Question 6

According to sociometer theory,self-esteem can be compared to:

Accepted Answer

Sociometer theory proposes that self-esteem serves as a gauge that measures the level of social inclusion or exclusion experienced by an individual. According to this theory, if an individual feels socially connected and valued by others, their self-esteem will be high, whereas if they feel excluded or rejected, their self-esteem will be low. Therefore, choice A is the best answer.

Question 7

Most people:

Accepted Answer

Most people tend to have a positive self-bias, overestimating their abilities, control over events, and being optimistic about their futures. Therefore, all the options are correct.

Question 8

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 predicts that self-esteem is based on perceptions of social acceptance/rejection. When Jonah had few friends as a child, he perceived himself as being socially rejected and had low self-esteem. As he developed solid friendships as an adult, he perceived himself as being socially accepted and valued, leading to an increase in self-esteem.

Question 9

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 10

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most people feel they are ________,and this...

Question 11

One current view on self-enhancement suggests that:

Accepted Answer

According to current research, both Eastern and Western cultures tend to engage in self-enhancement, but in different ways. Westerners tend to have more individualistic self-enhancement, focusing on personal achievements and qualities, while Easterners tend to have more collectivistic self-enhancement, focusing on the positive attributes of their group or social connections.

Question 12

What is a main difference between Eastern and Western cultures' view of self-concept,according to your text?

Accepted Answer

According to the text, Eastern culture tends to value interdependence and connectedness with others, while Western culture emphasizes individualism and autonomy. Therefore, choice B is the best answer.

Question 13

Who is more likely to possess a self-construal based on social norms and relationships,Chihiro from Japan or Lucy from the United States,and why?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that individuals from Eastern cultures, such as Japan, tend to have a more interdependent sense of self, emphasizing social norms and relationships, while individuals from Western cultures, such as the United States, tend to have a more independent sense of self, emphasizing individual uniqueness and personal achievement. Therefore, Chihiro from Japan is more likely to possess a self-construal based on social norms and relationships.

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

The sociometer theory suggests that self-esteem is an internal gauge of the degree to which one is included versus excluded by others. In Shariah's case, being avoided by her social group likely leads to feelings of exclusion, which according to the sociometer theory, would predict a decrease in her self-esteem.

Question 15

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 on the test is an example of a self-serving bias. This occurs when individuals attribute positive outcomes to internal factors, such as their abilities or hard work, but attribute negative outcomes to external factors, such as feeling sick. This bias helps to protect one's self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image.

Question 16

Miko is from Japan and is doing an exercise in a self-help book.One activity asks her to list all the things she is proud of and all the things she is ashamed of.Relative to most Americans,Miko is likely to list ________ things she is proud of and ________ things she is ashamed of.

Accepted Answer

In Japanese culture, it is considered more humble to not boast about one's accomplishments and to focus on the group's achievements rather than individual achievements. Therefore, Miko is likely to list fewer things she is proud of than an average American. On the other hand, there is a strong sense of shame in Japanese culture, and people may be more likely to admit to things they are ashamed of as a way of taking responsibility and showing remorse. This is why Miko may list more things she is ashamed of than an average American.

Question 17

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 demonstrate a self-serving bias because he attributed his success on the first exam to his own effort (studying hard) but attributed his failure on the second exam to external factors (poorly written exam) rather than his own lack of effort or preparation. Self-serving bias refers to our tendency to attribute our successes to internal factors (such as our own abilities or effort) and our failures to external factors (such as luck or other people's behavior), in order to protect our self-esteem.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

A person's sociometer is a measure of social acceptance and rejection. If the sociometer indicates a low probability of rejection, it means that the person feels socially accepted and valued. If the person is not worried about how she is perceived by others, it means that she has a positive self-image and is not relying on others for validation. Therefore, the person has high self-esteem.

Question 19

Joellie is a competent woman with high self-esteem.She was given a big project at work and was sure that she could complete it on time.Months later,she was not finished with the project and began to blame the project manager."Why did you give me such a hard task? It's not my fault it isn't finished.The project management was terrible,and the project was doomed to fail from the beginning." Joellie is showing evidence of:

Accepted Answer

Joellie is demonstrating a self-serving bias, which is a cognitive bias where individuals attribute their successes to internal factors and their failures to external factors. Instead of taking responsibility for her inability to complete the project on time, she is blaming external factors, such as the project manager and project management. This is a common defense mechanism used to protect one's self-esteem.

Question 20

If collectivist cultures become more individualist,people in those cultures will be:

Accepted Answer

The answer of If collectivist cultures become more individualist,people in...

Quiz 13: Personality