Chap 9, 10 LA

Question 1

1. Describe an event schema that you would notice at a sporting event

Answer 1

An event schema at a sporting event includes standing for the national anthem, cheering when your team scores, and remaining seated during gameplay. This set of expectations dictates behavior at sporting events

Question 2

2. Explain why event schemata have so much power over human behavior

Answer 2

Event schemata have power because they operate automatically, shaping how we behave in familiar situations without conscious thought. Deviating from these expectations often feels uncomfortable, reinforcing conformity

Question 3

3. How do words not only represent our thoughts but also represent our values?

Answer 3

Words are symbols that convey the ideas and beliefs important to a culture. For example, how we use terms like “freedom” or “community” reflects not only our individual thinking but the collective values of our society

Question 4

4. How could grammatical errors actually be indicative of language acquisition in children?

Answer 4

Grammatical errors, such as overgeneralization (e.g., “goed” instead of “went”), show that children are learning language rules and applying them even in incorrect contexts, a sign of cognitive development

Question 5

5. What is functional fixedness and how can overcoming it help you solve problems?

Answer 5

Functional fixedness is the inability to see objects beyond their typical use. Overcoming it allows for creative solutions, such as using a shoe to hammer a nail when a hammer isn’t available

Question 6

6. How does an algorithm save you time and energy when solving a problem?

Answer 6

An algorithm provides a step-by-step formula that guarantees a solution, avoiding trial and error or guesswork, thereby saving time and mental effort.

Question 7

7. Describe a situation in which you would need to use practical intelligence

Answer 7

Practical intelligence might be needed when organizing a fundraising event, where you have to solve real-world problems like managing budgets, delegating tasks, and handling unexpected setbacks

Question 8

8. Describe a situation in which cultural intelligence would help you communicate better

Answer 8

Cultural intelligence is useful when working with an international team. Understanding and respecting differences in communication styles, such as indirect speech or gestures, fosters collaboration

Question 9

9. Why do you think different theorists have defined intelligence in different ways?

Answer 9

Theorists define intelligence differently based on their focus: some prioritize measurable cognitive abilities, others emphasize creativity, social skills, or cultural adaptability, reflecting the complexity of human intelligence

Question 10

10. Compare and contrast the benefits of the Stanford-Binet IQ test and Wechsler’s IQ tests

Answer 10

The Stanford-Binet test focuses on assessing a wide age range but leans heavily on verbal abilities, whereas Wechsler’s tests, such as the WAIS, include both verbal and non-verbal components, offering a more comprehensive measure of intelligence

Question 11

11. What evidence exists for a genetic component to an individual’s IQ?

Answer 11

Twin studies, like the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart, show that identical twins raised apart still have highly correlated IQs, suggesting a strong genetic influence

Question 12

12. Describe the relationship between learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities to intelligence

Answer 12

Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, affect specific academic abilities but not overall intelligence, whereas intellectual disabilities involve global cognitive impairments and lower IQ scores. Both conditions require tailored educational approaches

Question 13

1. How might someone espousing an arousal theory of motivation explain visiting an amusement park?

Answer 13

• A person visiting an amusement park might be driven by the need for excitement and arousal, seeking experiences that increase their physiological excitement levels. This behavior could be explained by the desire to experience heightened arousal through thrilling rides, stimulating environments, and social interaction

Question 14

2. Schools often use concrete rewards to increase adaptive behaviors. How might this be a disadvantage for students intrinsically motivated to learn? What are educational implications of the potential for concrete rewards to diminish intrinsic motivation for a given task

Answer 14

• When concrete rewards (e.g., money, prizes) are used excessively, students might shift from intrinsic motivation to extrinsic motivation, focusing more on the rewards than the learning process itself. This could reduce their internal drive to learn for personal satisfaction, leading to a decrease in long-term academic interest and growth. Educational implications suggest that reliance on external rewards may harm intrinsic motivation over time

Question 15

3. Why might Caucasian women from industrialized, Western cultures tend to be at the highest risk for eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia nervosa?

Answer 15

• One reason could be the intense pressure from cultural ideals and media portrayals of thinness, which might affect self-esteem and body image. In Western, industrialized societies, these ideals are often associated with beauty, success, and desirability, leading individuals to develop disordered eating behaviors in an attempt to conform to societal standards

Question 16

4. While much research has been conducted on how an individual develops a given sexual orientation, many people question the validity of this research citing that the participants used may not be representative. Why do you think this might be a legitimate concern

Answer 16

• This concern may arise because research often involves participants from specific geographic, cultural, or demographic groups, which may not reflect the broader population. This lack of diversity in participant selection could limit the generalizability of findings and lead to biased conclusions about sexual orientation development

Question 17

5. There is no reliable scientific evidence that gay conversion therapy actually works. What kinds of evidence would you need to see in order to be convinced by someone arguing that she had successfully converted her sexual orientation

Answer 17

• Reliable evidence would include rigorous, peer-reviewed studies with long-term follow-up data showing actual, lasting changes in sexual orientation, not just temporary changes or subjective reports from individuals. Moreover, the studies should account for factors like mental health, social acceptance, and the individual’s autonomy in their decisions

Question 18

6. Imagine you find a venomous snake crawling up your leg just after taking a drug that prevented sympathetic nervous system activation. What would the James-Lange theory predict about your experience

Answer 18

• According to the James-Lange theory, the physiological arousal (such as increased heart rate or sweating) caused by the snake would lead to the experience of fear. However, if the sympathetic nervous system activation were blocked, this physiological response would not occur, and therefore, the individual might not feel fear or might experience a less intense emotional reaction

Question 19

7. Why can we not make causal claims regarding the relationship between the volume of the hippocampus and PTSD

Answer 19

• Causal claims cannot be made because the research on hippocampal volume and PTSD is correlational in nature. This means that while there is an association between reduced hippocampal volume and PTSD, it does not prove that one causes the other. Other factors, such as trauma exposure and individual differences, may contribute to both.

Question 20

1. Can you think of recent examples of how Maslow’s hierarchy of needs might have affected your behavior in some way

Answer 20

• For example, if someone was feeling unsafe (e.g., due to a natural disaster or personal conflict), their behavior would likely be focused on satisfying lower-level needs for safety and security, as per Maslow’s hierarchy. Once these needs are addressed, they could move toward fulfilling higher needs such as social connections or personal growth

Question 21

2. Think about popular television programs on the air right now. What do the people in these programs look like? What kinds of messages do you think the media is sending about the people in our society

Answer 21

• In many popular TV programs, characters are often depicted with idealized, often unrealistic body types and lifestyles. These portrayals can perpetuate societal pressures around physical appearance, beauty standards, and material success, which may influence viewers’ perceptions of themselves and others

Question 22

3. Think about times in your life when you have been absolutely elated (e.g., perhaps your school’s basketball team just won a closely contested ballgame for the national championship) and very fearful (e.g., you are about to give a speech in your public speaking class to a roomful of 100 strangers). How would you describe how your arousal manifested itself physically? Were there marked differences in physiological arousal associated with each emotional state?

Answer 22

• During times of elation, the physical manifestations of arousal may include increased energy, a racing heart, or a sense of excitement, while in fearful situations, the body might experience increased heart rate, sweating, or muscle tension as part of the fight-or-flight response. These physiological changes reflect the differing emotional states of joy and fear, demonstrating how emotional arousal varies with context