Question 1

Freud's notion that most people have a "death drive" that impels them to pursue their own downfall and death ____.
A)has received a good deal of recent empirical support
B)is consistent with research showing that many people have a "fear of success"
C)is consistent with cognitive dissonance theory
D)is apparently wrong

Accepted Answer

Freud's concept of a "death drive" (Thanatos), suggesting an instinct towards destruction and a desire for death, has not been widely supported by empirical research or accepted in contemporary psychology. The idea that people are driven towards their own demise is not supported by current psychological understanding or evidence, making this notion largely considered incorrect in the context of modern psychological theories and research.

Question 2

Gisele has applied to an extremely competitive graduate program. She knows that a faculty committee meets for several days to make decisions about whom to admit into the program. Based on research, the members of the faculty committee will MOST likely be making their best decisions ____.
A)after a relaxing lunch break on the first day
B)toward the end of the first day, when they have gotten used to the decision criteria
C)toward the end of the second day, when they have only a few decisions left
D)throughout both days, since they are professionals

Accepted Answer

Research in decision-making and cognitive function suggests that breaks, especially those involving relaxation or nourishment, can rejuvenate cognitive resources, leading to better decision-making. This is often related to the concept of decision fatigue, where the quality of decisions may deteriorate after long sessions of decision-making without breaks.

Question 3

The so-called fear-of-success theory-the idea that many people fear being too successful at work lest they turn off potential romantic partners-
A)has generally been discredited
B)has been proposed as an explanation for self-handicapping
C)has been supported by research with younger women (those born after 1970)but not with older women (those born before 1970)
D)has been supported by research with older women (those born before 1970)but not with younger women (those born after 1970)

Accepted Answer

The fear-of-success theory has generally been discredited as it lacks substantial empirical support and is considered outdated.

Question 4

Realizing that the due dates for several rather substantial research papers are approaching, Rob decides that he ought to get to work. However, somehow, whenever he sits down to work, he finds himself playing games, surfing the web, checking his Facebook, or doing just about anything other than working. In terms of the TOTE approach, Rob is having trouble with the ____ phase.
A)initial test
B)operate
C)retest
D)exit

Accepted Answer

Rob is having trouble with the "operate" phase, which involves taking action towards achieving a goal. His distractions prevent him from effectively engaging in the work necessary to complete his research papers.

Question 5

The ability to make immediate sacrifices for later rewards is known as ____.
A)goal shielding
B)incremental awareness
C)the capacity to delay gratification
D)learned helplessness

Accepted Answer

The capacity to delay gratification refers to the ability to resist the temptation for an immediate reward and wait for a later reward. This concept is often used in psychology to illustrate self-control and future-oriented behavior.

Question 6

According to MOST theories in social psychology, self-defeating behavior is ____.
A) paradoxical
B)genetically wired
C)rational
D)a clear sign of a mental disorder

Accepted Answer

Self-defeating behavior is considered paradoxical in most theories within social psychology because it involves actions that hinder rather than help the individual achieve their goals, which seems counterintuitive to self-interest and survival instincts.

Question 7

One key reason that people engage in self-defeating behaviors is because ____.
A)of the "death drive"
B)of a "fear of success"
C)they have faulty knowledge
D)of self-enhancement motivation

Accepted Answer

People engage in self-defeating behaviors often because they have faulty knowledge or misconceptions about what will lead to positive outcomes, leading them to make choices that are ultimately harmful.

Question 8

Suicide is commonly thought to involve a tradeoff between death, which people think will bring ____, and their future, which ____.
A)peace from suffering; people look forward to
B)peace from suffering; could turn out to be good
C)pain and suffering; people expect to be terrible
D)pain and suffering; could turn out to be good

Accepted Answer

Suicide is often considered by those suffering as a way to find peace from their pain, with the hope or uncertainty that their future might improve, making this a complex and tragic decision point.

Question 9

Suicide typically starts with some discrepancy between ____.
A)one's expectations (or other standards)and reality
B)one's past experiences and one's current circumstances
C)one's current circumstances and the circumstances of those close to them
D)one's emotional intelligence and the quality of one's relationships

Accepted Answer

Suicide often begins with a discrepancy between one's expectations (or other standards) and reality, where the individual perceives an insurmountable gap between what they hoped or expected and what actually is their situation. This perceived gap can lead to feelings of despair and hopelessness, contributing factors to suicidal ideation.

Question 10

Two main reasons that people engage in self-defeating behaviors are because of ____ and ____.
A)tradeoffs (good and bad outcomes are sometimes linked); faulty knowledge or strategies
B)tradeoffs (good and bad outcomes are sometimes linked); a "fear of success"
C)a "fear of success"; faulty knowledge or strategies
D)a "fear of success"; a lack of self-awareness

Accepted Answer

Tradeoffs and faulty knowledge or strategies are two main reasons people engage in self-defeating behaviors. Tradeoffs refer to situations where good and bad outcomes are linked, leading individuals to make choices that can be self-defeating to obtain some perceived benefit. Faulty knowledge or strategies involve incorrect beliefs or approaches to situations that result in self-defeating outcomes.

Question 11

Dr. Mischel is conducting an experiment with young children. He tells each child that they have a choice to make: They can have a cookie right now, OR they can wait ten minutes and get two cookies. Dr. Mischel appears to be measuring ____.
A)the children's planning fallacy
B)the children's levels of abstract decision making
C)whether the children are incremental theorists or entity theorists
D)the children's capacity to delay gratification

Accepted Answer

Dr. Mischel's experiment, famously known as the Marshmallow Test, is designed to measure the children's capacity to delay gratification. This involves assessing their ability to wait for a better reward rather than opting for immediate satisfaction.

Question 12

Children's capacity to delay gratification is increased when ____.
A)they do not have to look at the desired object
B)they are with other children who easily give in to temptation
C)they spend more time looking at the desired object
D)they have already given in to temptation once

Accepted Answer

Children's ability to delay gratification is improved when they are not directly looking at or focusing on the desired object, as this reduces the temptation and makes it easier for them to wait.

Question 13

Carefully controlled research testing the idea that many people have a "fear of success," and therefore sabotage their careers, has shown that ____.
A)this is somewhat common among women, but uncommon among men
B)this is somewhat common among men, but uncommon among women
C)many people do this, though they typically do it unconsciously
D)in reality, almost no one seems to do this

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the concept of a "fear of success" leading to self-sabotage is not widely supported, and very few people actually exhibit this behavior.

Question 14

Suicide rates tend to be higher in places that generally have ____ climates. In general, suicide rates also tend to be higher during the ____.
A)good; spring and summer months
B)good; fall and winter months
C)bad; spring and summer months
D)bad; fall and winter months

Accepted Answer

Suicide rates tend to be higher in places with generally good climates and also tend to increase during the spring and summer months. This is contrary to what some might expect, as colder, gloomier weather might intuitively seem more depressing. However, research suggests that the increase in social activity and expectations during warmer months can exacerbate feelings of isolation and despair in vulnerable individuals.

Question 15

Research on suicide among humans and non-human animals has shown that ____.
A)humans are apparently the only animals who commit suicide
B)aside from humans, chimpanzees are the only other animals who occasionally commit suicide
C)suicide occurs in all known primate species, but not in any other animals
D)suicide is known to occur in a number of different animal species, but it is more common among humans than among any other species

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research on suicide among humans and non-human...

Question 16

Because attending college requires the ability to make immediate sacrifices for later rewards, it is sometimes thought of as a very long exercise in ____.
A)goal shielding
B)incremental awareness
C)the capacity to delay gratification
D)learned helplessness

Accepted Answer

Attending college involves making sacrifices now (time, effort, money) for future benefits (education, career opportunities), which is a classic example of the capacity to delay gratification.

Question 17

Closing one's eyes, so one does not need to look at a desired (but forbidden)object, is a good way to increase one's ____.
A)self-awareness
B)tendency to engage in self-defeating behavior
C)capacity to delay gratification
D)learned helplessness

Accepted Answer

Closing one's eyes to avoid looking at a desired but forbidden object is a method of self-control, which directly relates to an individual's capacity to delay gratification. This involves resisting the immediate temptation of an object or activity in order to achieve a long-term goal or benefit.

Question 18

Deirdre smokes a pack of cigarettes every day despite knowing the health risks associated with smoking. Which of the following concepts would social psychologists use to describe Deirdre's behavior?
A)Self-regulation
B)Self-evaluation
C)Temporal discounting
D)Self-defeating

Accepted Answer

Deirdre's behavior can be described as self-defeating because she continues to smoke despite knowing the negative health consequences, which suggests a behavior that undermines her own well-being.

Question 19

Suicide rates tend to be higher ____.
A)among poor people (in general)than among rich people (in general)
B)among rich people (in general)than among poor people (in general)
C)among rich people who have recently become poor than among poor people who have recently become rich
D)among poor people who have recently become rich than among rich people who have recently become poor

Accepted Answer

Suicide rates are often higher among individuals who experience a sudden loss of wealth or status, as the psychological impact of such a change can be severe.

Question 20

Suicide often ____.
A)involves an automatic-versus-deliberate conflict
B)fits the now-versus-future trade-off pattern
C)involves the goals-versus-intention dilemma
D)fits a temporal-versus-certainty cycle

Accepted Answer

Suicide often involves a now-versus-future trade-off pattern, where individuals may prioritize immediate relief from distress over the potential for future improvement or well-being.

Quiz 4: Choices and Actions: The Self in Control

Freud's notion that most people have a "death drive" that impels them to pursue their own downfall and death ____.

Gisele has applied to an extremely competitive graduate program. She knows that a faculty committee meets for several days to make decisions about whom to admit into the program. Based on research, the members of the faculty committee will MOST likely be making their best decisions ____.

The so-called fear-of-success theory-the idea that many people fear being too successful at work lest they turn off potential romantic partners-

The ability to make immediate sacrifices for later rewards is known as ____.

According to MOST theories in social psychology, self-defeating behavior is ____.

One key reason that people engage in self-defeating behaviors is because ____.

Suicide is commonly thought to involve a tradeoff between death, which people think will bring , and their future, which .

Suicide typically starts with some discrepancy between ____.

Two main reasons that people engage in self-defeating behaviors are because of and .

Dr. Mischel is conducting an experiment with young children. He tells each child that they have a choice to make: They can have a cookie right now, OR they can wait ten minutes and get two cookies. Dr. Mischel appears to be measuring ____.

Children's capacity to delay gratification is increased when ____.

Carefully controlled research testing the idea that many people have a "fear of success," and therefore sabotage their careers, has shown that ____.

Suicide rates tend to be higher in places that generally have climates. In general, suicide rates also tend to be higher during the .

Research on suicide among humans and non-human animals has shown that ____.

Because attending college requires the ability to make immediate sacrifices for later rewards, it is sometimes thought of as a very long exercise in ____.

Closing one's eyes, so one does not need to look at a desired (but forbidden) object, is a good way to increase one's ____.

Deirdre smokes a pack of cigarettes every day despite knowing the health risks associated with smoking. Which of the following concepts would social psychologists use to describe Deirdre's behavior?

Suicide rates tend to be higher ____.

Suicide often ____.