7. Wealth, Health & Happiness

Question 1

overall, is income a good predictor of life satisfaction? (Boyce et al., 2010)

Answer 1

income is a small but very robust predictor of life satisfaction

Question 2

what is a problem with prospect theory?

Answer 2

assumes loss aversion is universal

Question 3

describe results of Boyce, Wood & Ferguson (2015) study into conscientiousness, loss aversion and happiness?

Answer 3

• losses loom larger and more so for those high in C
• lower C = insensitivity to losses, greater risk of gambling

Question 4

how is extraversion associated with marriage and satisfaction in women?

Answer 4

introversion associated with increased satisfaction across marriage

Question 5

how is extraversion associated with marriage and satisfaction in men?

Answer 5

extraversion associated with increased satisfaction across marriage

Question 6

in general, what personality trait largely affects mortality?

Answer 6

conscientiousness:

• individuals with low C die sooner, perhaps due to being associated with greater risk taking
• C protective against mortality

Question 7

how does personality trait affect antibody responses? (Marsland et al., 2001)

Answer 7

• high neuroticism = lower antibody response
• similar findings observed elsewhere (Phillips et al., 2005)

Question 8

describe results of participants high in N in Feldman et al (1999) viral challenge study?

Answer 8

high in N = report more symptoms and more severe symptoms, irrespective of whether they are ill - greater anxiety about illness?

Question 9

describe results of participants high in O in Feldman et al (1999) viral challenge study?

Answer 9

high in O = report more symptoms, only when objective colds are present

correlated with cog function, increased awareness for these sensations

Question 10

why is IQ associated with better health outcomes directly?

Answer 10

• longevity
• risk of various diseases
• widespread pain

Question 11

describe results of James & Ferguson (2019) study into how pain changes with chronic illness?

Answer 11

• IQ protects against pain at diagnosis
• depression risk factor for pain
• depression and pain affect future IQ

Question 12

describe results of Connor-Smith & Flachsbart (2007) study into personality and coping?

Answer 12

• extraversion, conscientousness, and openness linked to engagement in coping strategies, beneficial to health
• neuroticism associated with disengagement strategies (substance abuse) not beneficial to health

Question 13

how can extraversion positively affect health behaviours and risk?

Answer 13

exercise, but risky sexual behaviours

Question 14

how can agreeableness affect health behaviours and risk?

Answer 14

accident control, peer pressure = negative outcomes

Question 15

what risky behaviours is openness linked to?

Answer 15

drug taking but not dependence

Question 16

describe the UPPS model of impulsiveness (Whiteside & Lynam, 2001)

Answer 16

• urgency
• premeditation
• perseverance
• sensation seeking