Question 1

When Cathy blamed herself for her boyfriend's unfaithfulness,she was engaged in what Ellis calls
A) aggression
B) self-indulgence
C) defensive coping
D) catastrophic thinking

Accepted Answer

Ellis coined the term "catastrophic thinking" to describe when individuals blame themselves for negative events and magnify their mistakes, shortcomings, or potential consequences. In this scenario, Cathy is blaming herself for her boyfriend's unfaithfulness, which is an example of catastrophic thinking.

Question 2

_____ studied human and non-human animals who reacted to aversive events with learned helplessness.
A) Skinner
B) Seligman
C) Pavlov
D) Bushman

Accepted Answer

Martin Seligman studied learned helplessness in both humans and non-human animals. Skinner is known for his work in operant conditioning, Pavlov is known for his study of classical conditioning, and Bushman is not known for his work in learned helplessness.

Question 3

Road rage is an example of reacting to stress with
A) learned helplessness.
B) aggression.
C) behavioral disengagement.
D) catharsis.

Accepted Answer

Road rage involves responding to stress with aggression or anger towards other drivers, often leading to dangerous or violent behavior. This type of reaction is a common example of stress-induced aggression.

Question 4

Experiment research on the catharsis hypothesis has found
A) moderate support for the theory.
B) the opposite effect.
C) behaving in an aggressive manner has no affect on anger.
D) aggressive catharses is prevalent in continuing relationships.

Accepted Answer

Research on the catharsis hypothesis has generally found that acting aggressively does not reduce anger but can instead increase it, leading to more aggression.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT true about the use of coping tactics?
A) People choose coping tacks from a variety of options.
B) Coping with life's difficulties can be incredibly complex.
C) The most adaptive approach is to use a variety of coping strategies.
D) Coping tactics are chosen because they are always the healthy choice.

Accepted Answer

Coping tactics are not always the healthy choice. Some coping strategies, such as substance abuse or avoidance, can be maladaptive and harmful in the long term.

Question 6

Valerie is insecure.She joins a celebrity fan club because she says it makes her feel good about herself.She is most likely using the defense mechanism of
A) regression.
B) displacement.
C) reaction formation.
D) identification.

Accepted Answer

Valerie is using identification as a defense mechanism, as she is trying to bolster her self-esteem by associating herself with a group that includes successful and admired individuals.

Question 7

Efforts to master,reduce,or tolerate the demands caused by stress in one's life are collectively known as
A) catharsis.
B) defense mechanisms.
C) procrastination.
D) coping.

Accepted Answer

Coping refers to the strategies and techniques individuals use to manage or reduce the negative effects of stress in their lives. This can include problem-solving, seeking social support, engaging in relaxation techniques, and reframing negative thoughts. Catharsis refers to the release of emotional tension through talking or expressing feelings, while defense mechanisms are unconscious processes that protect individuals from anxiety or psychological distress. Procrastination is the act of delaying or putting off tasks or responsibilities.

Question 8

Whether someone develops learned helplessness under conditions of unavoidable aversive events most likely depends on
A) the intensity of the aversive events.
B) prior experience in similar circumstances.
C) conditioning experiences in childhood.
D) cognitive interpretation.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive interpretation plays a crucial role in learned helplessness, where individuals believe they have no control over their environment and outcomes, leading to passive behavior in the face of stressors. The other options, such as intensity of aversive events, prior experience, and childhood conditioning, may play a role but are not as central as cognitive interpretation.

Question 9

Learned helplessness can result when humans are subjected to aversive events that
A) are unavoidable.
B) negatively reinforce aggressiveness.
C) positively reinforce aggressiveness.
D) are high in control but low in predictability.

Accepted Answer

Learned helplessness occurs when humans are subjected to aversive events that are unavoidable. This means that no matter what actions they take, they cannot escape or avoid the negative outcome. This can lead to a feeling of helplessness and ultimately result in a lack of effort to change the situation.

Question 10

Dropping a class because it is evident that one needs to take one of the recommended prerequisites is an example of coping with
A) learned helplessness.
B) aggression.
C) behavioral disengagement.
D) catharsis.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral disengagement refers to disengaging from goals or activities that are no longer attainable or feasible. It is a coping mechanism that involves withdrawing from a situation in which one feels inadequate or unprepared, such as dropping a class because it is clear that one needs to take a prerequisite in order to succeed in the course. Learned helplessness refers to a belief that one is unable to control or influence events, while aggression refers to behavior that is intended to harm others. Catharsis refers to the release of emotional tension through expression, such as venting frustration or anger. None of these concepts apply to dropping a class due to a lack of preparation or qualifications.

Question 11

Baumeister proposes that the self-deception of defense mechanisms is
A) adaptive,but lead to unrealistic depression.
B) maladaptive,but small illusions may often be beneficial.
C) adaptive,but only when used frequently.
D) maladaptive,but cannot really do any harm.

Accepted Answer

Baumeister proposes that the self-deception of defense mechanisms is maladaptive in the long-term, as it can lead to avoidance of needed change and growth, but small illusions may often be beneficial in the short-term as a coping mechanism.

Question 12

Coping with stress by rewarding oneself is an example of
A) self-blame.
B) catharsis.
C) self-indulgence.
D) defensive coping.

Accepted Answer

Coping with stress by rewarding oneself is an example of self-indulgence, which may provide temporary relief but does not address the source of stress and can potentially lead to negative consequences.

Question 13

Homer is having difficulty working in the nuclear power station.The stresses of the job requirements are overwhelming for him.Homer's best coping strategy of the choices given is most likely
A) quitting the job.
B) continuing passive behavior.
C) yelling at his boss.
D) releasing emotional tension through catharsis.

Accepted Answer

If the stresses of the job are overwhelming for Homer, quitting the job may be the best choice for his mental and emotional health. Continuing to work in a job that causes high levels of stress may lead to burnout and other negative outcomes. While yelling at his boss or releasing emotional tension through catharsis may provide temporary relief, it is not a sustainable coping strategy for long-term success in the job.

Question 14

Seligman proposes that learned helplessness is most likely to develop in someone with
A) a difficult childhood.
B) high openness personality trait.
C) a pessimistic explanatory style.
D) behavioral engagement style.

Accepted Answer

Seligman's theory of learned helplessness suggests that people develop a sense of helplessness when they are exposed to uncontrollable negative events and they come to believe that they have no control over the outcomes. This belief can develop into a pessimistic explanatory style, where the individual attributes negative events to internal, stable, and global factors. Therefore, choice C, a pessimistic explanatory style, is the most likely factor that contributes to the development of learned helplessness.

Question 15

Catharsis is Freud's term for
A) release of emotional tension.
B) behaving in an aggressive manner.
C) behavior intended to hurt someone emotionally.
D) increased feelings of hostility.

Accepted Answer

Catharsis refers to the release of emotional tension or a purging of emotions. It is a concept originally introduced by Aristotle and later adopted by Freud in his psychoanalytic theory. Freud believed that the expression of repressed emotions through talking and other forms of therapy could lead to catharsis and ultimately to healing.

Question 16

_____ is a passive behavior produced by exposure to unavoidable aversive events.
A) Learned helplessness
B) Aggression
C) Pessimistic explanatory style
D) Coping

Accepted Answer

Learned helplessness is a state in which an individual is exposed to a series of inescapable and uncontrollable aversive events, leading them to become passive and helpless in response to further negative experiences. They learn that their behavior has no effect on their environment, leading to the belief that any effort to improve their situation is futile.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a defense mechanism?
A) Rationalization
B) Displacement
C) Catharsis
D) Reaction formation

Accepted Answer

Catharsis is not a defense mechanism. It is a psychological concept related to the release of emotional tension or the process of emotional purification/ cleansing. It is often used in therapy to help individuals express and understand their emotions in a safe space. Rationalization, displacement, and reaction formation, on the other hand, are all common defense mechanisms that people use to cope with anxiety, stress, and other uncomfortable emotions.

Question 18

Learned helplessness was originally viewed as a product of _____.Current theory proposes that it is _____ that determines helplessness.
A) cognitive interpretation;conditioning
B) pessimistic explanatory style;behavior disengagement
C) conditioning;cognitive interpretation
D) behavior disengagement;pessimistic explanatory style

Accepted Answer

Originally, learned helplessness was viewed as a product of conditioning, where individuals learn to expect unpleasant outcomes regardless of their actions. Current theory, however, emphasizes the role of cognitive interpretation, suggesting that how individuals perceive and interpret their lack of control is what actually determines the onset of helplessness.

Question 19

Defense mechanisms
A) work primarily through self-deception.
B) are largely unconscious reactions.
C) shield the individual from emotional discomfort.
D) do all of these.

Accepted Answer

Defense mechanisms are primarily unconscious reactions that shield the individual from emotional discomfort. They often involve self-deception, such as denying or rationalizing unpleasant thoughts or feelings. Therefore, the best choice is D, as it encompasses all of these aspects.

Question 20

Marquita yells at the people around her when something doesn't go her way.Her behavior is most like the defense mechanism of
A) regression.
B) repression.
C) identification.
D) rationalization.

Accepted Answer

Marquita's behavior is most like the defense mechanism of regression because she is reverting back to childlike behavior by throwing tantrums when things don't go her way. Regression is a defense mechanism in which an individual retreats to an earlier stage of development when faced with stressful or challenging situations.

Quiz 4: Coping Processes

When Cathy blamed herself for her boyfriend's unfaithfulness,she was engaged in what Ellis calls

_____ studied human and non-human animals who reacted to aversive events with learned helplessness.

Road rage is an example of reacting to stress with

Experiment research on the catharsis hypothesis has found

Which of the following is NOT true about the use of coping tactics?

Valerie is insecure.She joins a celebrity fan club because she says it makes her feel good about herself.She is most likely using the defense mechanism of

Efforts to master,reduce,or tolerate the demands caused by stress in one's life are collectively known as

Whether someone develops learned helplessness under conditions of unavoidable aversive events most likely depends on

Learned helplessness can result when humans are subjected to aversive events that

Dropping a class because it is evident that one needs to take one of the recommended prerequisites is an example of coping with

Baumeister proposes that the self-deception of defense mechanisms is

Coping with stress by rewarding oneself is an example of

Homer is having difficulty working in the nuclear power station.The stresses of the job requirements are overwhelming for him.Homer's best coping strategy of the choices given is most likely

Seligman proposes that learned helplessness is most likely to develop in someone with

Catharsis is Freud's term for

_____ is a passive behavior produced by exposure to unavoidable aversive events.

Which of the following is NOT a defense mechanism?

Learned helplessness was originally viewed as a product of _.Current theory proposes that it is _ that determines helplessness.

Defense mechanisms

Marquita yells at the people around her when something doesn't go her way.Her behavior is most like the defense mechanism of