Question 1

Which of the following statements about the relationship between money and happiness is true?

Accepted Answer

Option A is true, as studies have shown that after a certain income level, more money doesn't necessarily make people happier. However, people still tend to believe that more money will bring them happiness.
Option B is also true, as multiple studies have shown that spending money on someone else, or giving it away, leads to greater happiness and satisfaction than spending it on oneself.
Therefore, both A and B are true, making option D the correct answer. Option C is false, as experiences have been shown to bring more happiness than material possessions.

Question 2

Individuals high in optimism tend to adjust better to life challenges, have better moods, and report lower stress compared to people low in optimism. What is one ""dark side"" of optimism, according to Sieber et al. (1992)?

Accepted Answer

According to Sieber et al. (1992), one potential "dark side" of optimism is that it can set people up for disappointment when their high expectations for the future are not met. This can lead to feelings of failure and a decrease in well-being.

Question 3

Why is defensive pessimism a good strategy for some people?

Accepted Answer

Defensive pessimism is a strategy where anticipating potential negative outcomes motivates individuals to prepare more thoroughly, thus improving their performance and helping to manage their anxiety about possible failures. This approach does not inherently involve lowering time investment due to a lack of innate ability (A) or preventing overinvestment in success for the sake of happiness (B), but rather focuses on leveraging worry constructively to enhance preparation and performance.

Question 4

Aknin, Hamlin, and Dunn (2012) looked at giving behavior in children. What did they find?

Accepted Answer

Aknin, Hamlin, and Dunn (2012) found that toddlers exhibit greater happiness when they give a toy to others, especially if the recipient shows interest in the toy, compared to when they play with the toy themselves. This study highlights the intrinsic joy derived from acts of giving, even at a very young age.

Question 5

Most psychological definitions of ""happiness"" are based on how a person evaluates their own life. Happiness is therefore often referred to as what?

Accepted Answer

Psychological definitions of happiness are typically based on subjective well-being, which refers to a person's own evaluation of their life satisfaction and positive emotional experiences. This means that happiness is specific to each individual's perception and cannot be objectively measured or compared across people.

Question 6

What is the definition of psychological well-being?

Accepted Answer

Psychological well-being refers to a person's perception of being engaged with and able to manage the challenges of life. This includes having a sense of purpose, feeling in control, having positive relationships, and experiencing personal growth. It is not limited to the absence of mental illness or the ability to overcome mood disorders, and goes beyond simply experiencing pleasure in daily life or being able to identify and express emotions.

Question 7

What ancient Greek concept is most closely related to psychologists' conceptualization of psychological well-being?

Accepted Answer

Eudaimonia refers to a state of flourishing characterized by true happiness, virtue, and excellence. This concept aligns closely with the modern-day psychological concept of psychological well-being, which involves positive functioning in multiple aspects of life such as emotional, social, and existential domains.

Question 8

Kahneman divides the concept of happiness into which two ideas connected to different aspects of the self?

Accepted Answer

Kahneman differentiates happiness into "experienced happiness," which refers to the feelings of joy, stress, anger, and other emotions that one has at different moments, and "remembered happiness," which pertains to the way people recall and interpret their past experiences when reflecting on their overall happiness. This distinction highlights the difference between the actual experience of happiness and the way it is remembered or conceptualized after the fact.

Question 9

Tammy is a new mother and is sleep deprived, stressed, and overwhelmed. Yet she believes having a child is the most meaningful thing that has ever happened to her. Kahneman would describe Tammy as low in ____ happiness and high in ____ happiness.

Accepted Answer

Kahneman distinguishes between "experienced" happiness (which is based on moment-to-moment feelings) and "remembered" happiness (which takes into account overall satisfaction with one's life). In this scenario, Tammy is experiencing temporary negative emotions due to sleep deprivation and stress, but she finds overall meaning and value in being a new mother. This suggests that while her moment-to-moment happiness may be low (experienced happiness), her overall satisfaction and sense of meaning in life is high (remembered happiness).

Question 10

Which of the following is a true statement about gratitude and its effects on happiness?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that regularly practicing gratitude, such as by listing things to be grateful for, can lead to physical benefits such as fewer physical complaints like headaches and congestion. Option B is incorrect because studies have found that even just a few minutes of expressing gratitude can have a positive impact on happiness. Option C is incorrect because people can experience benefits from gratitude regardless of whether or not they believe in a higher power. Option D is incorrect because insincere gratitude exercises may not lead to as much improvement as genuine gratitude, but it is unlikely to decrease happiness.

Quiz 7: Happiness