Question 1

One way for people to improve their own subjective well-being is to

Accepted Answer

Participating in regular aerobic exercise has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health and subjective well-being. It can increase levels of endorphins and other mood-enhancing chemicals, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve self-confidence and self-esteem. Focusing more attention on oneself or overestimating how much one can accomplish may lead to increased stress and pressure, ultimately decreasing subjective well-being.

Question 2

Which of the following best explains why,for those who are not poor,more money buys little more than a temporary surge of happiness?

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to the tendency for people to adapt to new circumstances and return to their baseline level of happiness. Therefore, despite an initial temporary surge of happiness, more money will eventually become the new baseline and no longer provide lasting satisfaction.

Question 3

Rannilt was euphoric after learning that she had been accepted by the medical school of her choice.After a few weeks,however,she is only mildly happy when she thinks about her admission to medical school.This change in her feelings can best be explained in terms of

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon suggests that people adapt to a new situation and their initial feelings of pleasure gradually diminish over time. This is most applicable to Rannilt's situation as she was initially euphoric about being accepted into medical school but has now adapted to this new situation and is only mildly happy about it.

Question 4

Work activities are most likely to foster happiness when they promote

Accepted Answer

The experience of flow refers to a state of complete absorption in an activity, where one's skills and challenges are in balance. This immersive state has been found to lead to happiness and a sense of accomplishment, making option C the most likely choice. Option A (the adaptation-level phenomenon) refers to the tendency to adjust to a certain level of stimulation, which may not necessarily promote happiness. Option B (an external locus of control) refers to the belief that external factors determine one's outcomes, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and lack of control - not conducive to happiness. Option D (relative deprivation) refers to the feeling of being worse off than others, which can lead to feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction - also not conducive to happiness.

Question 5

Research suggests that subjective well-being is fostered by keeping a ________ journal.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that keeping a gratitude journal, where individuals write down things they are thankful for or grateful for, can improve their subjective well-being and increase positive emotions. It can also enhance one's optimism and lead to a more positive outlook on life.

Question 6

During World War II,promotion rates in the U.S.Air Corps were so rapid for the group as a whole that many individual soldiers in this military branch were unhappy about the somewhat slower speed at which they were promoted.Their unhappiness is best explained in terms of

Accepted Answer

The soldiers in the U.S. Air Corps were experiencing relative deprivation, which refers to the feeling of being deprived of something compared to others who have it. In this case, they were comparing their promotion rates to the promotion rates of the group as a whole and feeling discontent with their own slower rate.

Question 7

Self-esteem is especially likely to be a predictor of happiness in cultures that value

Accepted Answer

Individualistic cultures place a high value on personal achievement, autonomy, and independence. Self-esteem, which refers to one's overall sense of self-worth and personal value, is closely tied to these values and is therefore more strongly linked to happiness in individualistic cultures. Conversely, collectivistic cultures place greater emphasis on group harmony and interdependence, so self-esteem may not be as important a predictor of happiness in these cultures.

Question 8

After receiving very bad news,people ________ the duration of their negative emotions.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that people tend to overestimate the duration of their negative emotions, believing that they will last longer than they actually do.

Question 9

Winston has a very negative academic self-concept because most of his classmates are more academically advanced than he is.Winston's experience best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Relative deprivation is the feeling that arises when individuals compare themselves to others who are more advantaged and perceive a disadvantage. In this case, Winston's negative academic self-concept is a result of comparing himself to his more academically advanced classmates and feeling deprived in comparison. The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to the tendency for individuals to adapt to and become accustomed to their current level of stimulation, leading them to seek out greater stimulation in order to experience satisfaction. The concept of flow refers to a state of intense concentration and enjoyment while engaged in a challenging activity. An internal locus of control refers to the belief that one's actions and outcomes are determined by one's own abilities and effort, rather than external factors such as luck or chance.

Question 10

Based on research on the predictors of happiness,which of the following individuals is most likely to experience high levels of subjective well-being?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently found that individuals with an active religious faith are more likely to experience higher levels of subjective well-being. The other factors listed - physical attractiveness, impulsivity, and an external locus of control - are not consistently related to happiness.

Question 11

The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to the

Accepted Answer

The adaptation-level phenomenon refers to the tendency for one's judgment to be shaped by their previous experiences. This means that an individual's perception of a particular stimulus or situation is heavily influenced by their prior experiences with similar stimuli or situations.

Question 12

People with an agreeable personality who become blind usually ________ recover near-normal levels of day-to-day happiness.Those who become paralyzed usually ________ recover near-normal levels of day-to-day happiness.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that people with agreeable personalities tend to adapt well to life changes, including becoming blind or paralyzed, and often recover near-normal levels of happiness over time.

Question 13

Haley's parents bought her a used bicycle for her birthday.She was thrilled until she learned that her best friend received a brand-new bicycle for her birthday.Haley's declining satisfaction illustrates

Accepted Answer

Haley's declining satisfaction is a result of relative deprivation, which is the perception of being worse off compared to others in terms of possessions, abilities or achievement. In this case, Haley compares her used bicycle to her friend's brand new one and feels that she has been deprived of something better.

Question 14

A wage increase of $3000 per year is most likely to increase the subjective well-being of people who currently earn ________ per year.

Accepted Answer

A wage increase of $3000 per year is more significant relative to the total income for someone earning $12,000 per year compared to those earning more. This larger proportional increase is likely to have a more substantial impact on their subjective well-being due to the diminishing marginal utility of money.

Question 15

Relative deprivation refers to the tendency for our personal happiness to be heavily influenced by

Accepted Answer

Relative deprivation refers to the feeling of being worse off than others to whom one compares oneself. Therefore, it is heavily influenced by others' success and accomplishments.

Question 16

The frequency of positive and negative emotion words used by U.S.Facebook users indicates that their most positive moods were expressed on

Accepted Answer

According to the study, the frequency of positive emotion words used by U.S. Facebook users was highest on Fridays, suggesting that they expressed their most positive moods on that day.

Question 17

During the last four decades,the buying power of Americans has ________ and their self-reported personal happiness has ________.

Accepted Answer

Over the last forty years, Americans' buying power has increased due to economic growth, but self-reported personal happiness has remained almost unchanged, indicating that higher income does not necessarily correlate with increased happiness.

Question 18

Studies of identical and fraternal twins indicate that heredity accounts for about ________ percent of the difference among people's happiness ratings.

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that heredity accounts for about 50% of the difference among people's happiness ratings. The other 50% is attributed to factors such as life circumstances and intentional activities.

Question 19

Logan is an unsuccessful businessman who feels little satisfaction with life.To increase his subjective well-being,Logan should

Accepted Answer

Thinking about worse scenarios, such as suffering from a fatal disease, can make one's current situation seem better by comparison, potentially increasing subjective well-being through a process known as downward social comparison. This can help individuals appreciate their current circumstances more and foster a sense of gratitude for what they have, rather than focusing on what they lack.

Question 20

In considering the impact of public policies such as tax rates or divorce laws,many psychologists believe that assessments of ________ would be the most useful for guiding nations toward policies that foster human flourishing.

Accepted Answer

Many psychologists believe that assessments of subjective well-being (the overall evaluation of one's own life) would be the most useful for guiding nations toward policies that foster human flourishing. By measuring people's levels of subjective well-being, policymakers can better understand which policies will be most effective in improving the lives of individuals within a society. This approach recognizes that human flourishing is not just about material wealth or GDP, but also about the quality of life and overall happiness of citizens.

Quiz 10: Stress, Health, and Human Flourishing