Chapter 6 Flashcards
What the Hell: How Feeling Bad Leads to Giving In
What is the relationship between real-world stress and cravings?
Real-world stress increases the risk of relapse among smokers, recovering alcoholics, drug addicts, and dieters by triggering cravings as the brain seeks quick relief and happiness.
Why does stress trigger cravings and reward-seeking behaviors?
Stress activates the brain’s rescue mission, prompting it to seek anything that might provide happiness or relief, leading to illogical behaviors like binge eating or procrastination.
How do negative emotions affect our decision-making?
Negative emotions, such as anger and anxiety, shift the brain into a reward-seeking state, making the desire to feel better override self-control goals.
What are common responses to stress for many people?
Common stress responses may include procrastination, binge eating, or engaging in indulgent activities like watching movies or playing video games.
What are effective stress-relief strategies according to the American Psychological Association?
Effective stress-relief strategies include exercising, spending time with friends or family, meditating, engaging in creative hobbies, and other activities that enhance mood without relying on dopamine.
What distinguishes effective stress-relief strategies from less effective ones?
Effective strategies boost mood-enhancing brain chemicals like serotonin and oxytocin, and reduce stress hormones, while less effective strategies often rely on dopamine and the promise of reward.
What should you consider when feeling stressed and tempted to seek immediate relief?
Consider trying a more effective stress reliever that enhances your mood rather than simply seeking the immediate promise of relief.
How can you remind your stressed-out self what truly makes you feel better?
Record your voice while engaging in stress-relief activities, describing how good they felt, to remind yourself later that healthy activities are more effective than watching TV or eating for stress relief.
What is the psychological phenomenon related to our awareness of mortality?
The phenomenon is called terror management, which shows that reminders of our mortality make us more susceptible to temptations as we seek hope and security in rewards.
How does thinking about death affect shopping behavior?
When reminded of death, shoppers tend to create longer shopping lists, spend more on comfort food, and increase purchases of items like chocolate and cookies.
What effect do death-related news reports have on consumer behavior?
Death-related news makes viewers more responsive to ads for status products, such as luxury cars and watches, as these items bolster self-image and provide a sense of power.
How do warnings about smoking impact smokers’ behaviors?
Death warnings trigger fear in smokers, but this anxiety often leads them to resort to smoking as a stress-relief strategy, countering the intended effect of the warning.
What should you be aware of that might trigger terror management and cravings for comfort?
Pay attention to personal stressors such as job security, financial issues, health concerns, or life changes that may trigger cravings for comfort items as a coping mechanism.
How can terror management lead to procrastination?
Procrastination can arise when tasks evoke thoughts of mortality, such as making medical appointments or planning for retirement, as we may avoid facing our vulnerability.
What can help address tasks you’ve been putting off due to fear?
Recognizing and acknowledging the underlying fear can help you make rational choices; understanding motivations makes it easier to change behaviors.
What is the “what-the-hell effect”?
The “what-the-hell effect” describes a cycle of indulgence, regret, and greater indulgence, where feelings of guilt drive individuals to indulge more.
How does guilt influence drinking and eating behaviors?
The more guilt someone feels about their drinking or eating habits, the more likely they are to indulge again, leading to a cycle of behavior where they justify further indulgence.
What thought often follows breaking a diet or resolution?
People may think, “What the hell, I’ve already broken my [diet, budget, sobriety], so I might as well really enjoy myself,” leading to further indulgence.
What role do feelings of guilt and shame play after a willpower failure?
Feelings of shame, guilt, and loss of control following a willpower failure contribute to continued relapse, making it seem as though there’s no way out except to keep indulging.
