Question 1

Sarah wants to set up a regular study schedule to prepare for a comprehensive exam in her major subject. She decides that she needs to study for at least two hours a day. She then makes a specific plan: she will study at her desk immediately after eating dinner, from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M., will take a 15-minute break, and then study at her desk again from 7:45 P.M.to 8:45 P.M. Sarah has formed a(n):
A) autonomy intention.
B) implementation intention.
C) achievement goal.
D) self-determination goal.

Accepted Answer

Sarah has created an implementation intention, which is a plan that specifies the when, where, and how of a goal-directed behavior. This specific plan helps to increase the likelihood of following through with the intended behavior.

Question 2

Specifying exactly when, where, and how you will carry out an intended behavior, linking specific situational cues to the intended behavior, is called a(n):
A) goal intention.
B) implementation intention.
C) mastery experience.
D) self-determination intention.

Accepted Answer

The description given in the question matches the concept of implementation intention, which involves specifying the when, where, and how of a behavior and linking it to specific situational cues. Goal intention is a broader intention to perform a behavior, while mastery experience and self-determination intention are different concepts not related to the described behavior.

Question 3

Anthony decides to start running every morning before his first college class. He buys running clothes and some expensive athletic shoes, yet never quite makes it to the running path. What strategies could help Anthony achieve his goal?
A) Try not to think about the pain and exertion involved in running and focus on how good it feels when he stops running.
B) Enlist a friend to nag him about running every day.
C) Form a specific goal intention and create implementation intentions.
D) Remind himself daily that he is out of shape and needs to start a regular exercise program.

Accepted Answer

Forming a specific goal intention (like "I will run every morning before my 8am class") and creating implementation intentions (like "I will lay out my running clothes and shoes the night before and set my alarm for 6am") can help Anthony overcome barriers to starting his running habit. By making a plan and specifying when and how he will achieve his goal, Anthony is more likely to follow through with his intentions. The other options may not be as effective in motivating Anthony to start running. A focus on the pain and exertion involved in running (option A) may actually discourage him from starting, while a nagging friend (option B) may create resistance or resentment. Option D also focuses on the negative aspect of being out of shape, rather than emphasizing the positive benefits of regular exercise.

Question 4

Just before leaving college for their holiday break, student volunteers in a research study were instructed to write an essay describing how they spent Christmas Eve and to mail the essay within 48 hours after Christmas Eve. Half of the students were told to form an implementation intention describing exactly where and how they would write the essay before they left school for their Christmas break; the other half were not told to form an implementation intention. What were the results of the study?
A) About half of the students in each group wrote and mailed the essay before the deadline.
B) About 10 percent of the students in each group wrote and mailed the essay before the deadline.
C) About 30 percent of the students in the implementation intention group wrote and mailed the essay before the deadline, while about 70 percent of the students in the other group did so.
D) About 70 percent of the students in the implementation intention group wrote and mailed the essay before the deadline, while only about 30 percent of the students in the other group did so.

Accepted Answer

The study was testing the effect of forming an implementation intention on the completion of a task. The results showed that the students who formed an implementation intention (i.e. described exactly where and how they would write the essay) were more successful in completing the task (writing and mailing the essay before the deadline). Specifically, about 70 percent of the students in the implementation intention group completed the task before the deadline, while only about 30 percent of the students in the other group did so.

Question 5

The Enhancing Well-Being With Psychology feature in your text suggests several strategies to increase feelings of self-efficacy. Which of the following is NOT one of the strategies the feature suggests?
A) Positive mental imagery can help improve self-efficacy.
B) Observing and imitating the behavior of someone who is already competent at the task you want to master can help you increase feelings of self-efficacy.
C) Control your thoughts in an optimistic way by focusing on your capabilities.
D) When you approach a moderately challenging task, you should strive for perfection on your first attempt at the task.

Accepted Answer

The feature does not suggest striving for perfection on your first attempt at a moderately challenging task as a strategy to increase feelings of self-efficacy. In fact, the feature suggests setting realistic goals and rewarding oneself for progress instead of expecting perfection.

Question 6

The Enhancing Well-Being With Psychology feature in your text describes a specific strategy for turning your good intentions into reality. What is the name of that strategy?
A) creating implementation intentions
B) self-actualization
C) drive motivation
D) activation motivation

Accepted Answer

The strategy described in the Enhancing Well-Being with Psychology feature is creating implementation intentions, which involves identifying specific actions and then planning when, where, and how you will carry out those actions. This helps to bridge the intention-action gap and increase the likelihood of following through on your goals.

Question 7

Mental rehearsal can help you carry out your goals effectively if you:
A) vividly imagine failing at your goal to inoculate yourself against disappointment or the anxiety that you will inevitably feel as you try to meet a challenge.
B) visualize yourself dealing effectively with challenges and rehearse the process that you will follow to achieve the outcome you want.
C) imagine yourself succeeding beyond your wildest dreams as challenges and obstacles melt away.
D) visualize the rewards and accolades that you will receive if you achieve your goal.

Accepted Answer

Mental rehearsal is most effective when you vividly imagine yourself dealing effectively with challenges and rehearsing the process that you will follow to achieve the outcome you want. This helps you to prepare for obstacles, anticipate possible problems, and develop effective strategies for achieving your goals. Visualizing yourself succeeding beyond your wildest dreams (C) or focusing on rewards and accolades (D) can be motivating, but may not be as effective for carrying out your goals as visualizing the process of achieving those goals. Imagining failure (A) can also be helpful in some cases, but it is not the most effective use of mental rehearsal for achieving your goals.

Question 8

The Enhancing Well-Being With Psychology feature in your text describes the approach psychologist Peter Gollwitzer developed to help people achieve their goals. What are the two key strategies of Gollwitzer's approach?
A) forming goal intentions and creating implementation intentions
B) creating mastery experiences and developing self-efficacy
C) meeting basic needs and achieving self-actualization
D) developing competence and achieving autonomy

Accepted Answer

Gollwitzer's approach involves forming goal intentions (deciding on a specific goal) and creating implementation intentions (planning specific actions to achieve the goal). Therefore, choice A is the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are not directly related to Gollwitzer's approach.

Question 9

When you form a _____, you translate a vague, general intention into a concrete, specific, and binding goal.
A) goal intention
B) display rule
C) self-efficacy goal
D) self-determination intention

Accepted Answer

Forming a goal involves translating a vague, general intention into a concrete, specific, and binding objective. This entails specifying the desired outcome, breaking it down into steps, and setting a deadline for completion. Goal setting has been shown to increase motivation and performance in a variety of settings, from academic to occupational to personal. The other options listed are related to other aspects of motivation and behavior, but do not specifically address the act of turning an intention into a measurable goal.

Question 10

Many people form resolutions to achieve certain goals, yet never act on them. According to the ideas of psychologist Peter Gollwitzer described in the Enhancing Well-Being With Psychology feature in your text, what is the first step that a person should take in order to translate his or her intentions into actual behavior?
A) Strive to become a more optimistic, confident, and goal-oriented person.
B) Create a very specific, concrete goal intention.
C) Create a five-year plan, listing 10 goals that you hope to achieve.
D) Use Maslow's hierarchy of needs and make sure that needs that are lower in the hierarchy are fulfilled before trying to set new goals.

Accepted Answer

According to Peter Gollwitzer's idea, the first step to translating intentions into actual behavior is to create a very specific and concrete goal intention. This means that general intentions or vague goals are less likely to result in successful behavior change. Specific intentions help to provide clarity, focus, and direction, which are essential for achieving measurable progress.

Quiz 8: Motivation and Emotion

Specifying exactly when, where, and how you will carry out an intended behavior, linking specific situational cues to the intended behavior, is called a(n) :

Anthony decides to start running every morning before his first college class. He buys running clothes and some expensive athletic shoes, yet never quite makes it to the running path. What strategies could help Anthony achieve his goal?

The Enhancing Well-Being With Psychology feature in your text suggests several strategies to increase feelings of self-efficacy. Which of the following is NOT one of the strategies the feature suggests?

The Enhancing Well-Being With Psychology feature in your text describes a specific strategy for turning your good intentions into reality. What is the name of that strategy?

Mental rehearsal can help you carry out your goals effectively if you:

The Enhancing Well-Being With Psychology feature in your text describes the approach psychologist Peter Gollwitzer developed to help people achieve their goals. What are the two key strategies of Gollwitzer's approach?

When you form a _____, you translate a vague, general intention into a concrete, specific, and binding goal.