Exam 1. Chapters 1-3

Question 1

Three examples of the Paradox of Progress

Answer 1

1) modern technology has provided us with countless saving devices
2) range in life choices available to people in modern society has increased
3) modern technology has provided us with unprecedented control over the world around us

Question 2

What to look for in quality of self-help books

Answer 2

• clarity in communication
• not promising too much
• check credentials
• mention their research basis
• detailed directions
• books that focus on one specific problem

Question 3

Explain the concept of adjustment

Answer 3

Adjustment refers to the psychological process through which people manage or cope with the challenges of everyday life

Question 4

Explain the nature of empiricism

Answer 4

Empiricism is the premies that knowledge should be acquired through observation

Question 5

Two advances of the scientific approach

Answer 5

1) clarity and precision

2) relative intolerances of error

Question 6

Describe the experimental method

Answer 6

Research method in which the investigator manipulates one independent variable under controlled conditions and observes changes in a second dependent variable as a result

Question 7

Independent variable:

Answer 7

Condition or event that an experimenter varies in order to see its impact on another variable

Question 8

Dependent variable :

Answer 8

Variable that is thought to be affected by the manipulations of the independent variable

Question 9

Experimental group:

Answer 9

Consists of the subjects who receive special treatment

Question 10

Control group:

Answer 10

Similar subjects who don’t receive special treatment

Question 11

Correlation advantages:

Answer 11

Allows scientists to draw conclusions about cause and effect relationships between variables

Question 12

Correlation disadvantages

Answer 12

Variables cannot be manipulated because of ethical concerns or practical realities

Question 13

Conclusions drawn about the determents of happiness

Answer 13

1) objective realities are not as important as subjective feelings
2) when it comes to happiness, everything is subjective
3) people are bad at predicting what will make them happy
4) people adapt to their circumstances

Question 14

Three steps for developing good study habits

Answer 14

1) set up a schedule for studying
2) find a place to study where you can concentrate
3) reward your studying

Question 15

Strategies for improving reading comprehension

Answer 15

• preview reading assignments section by section
• work hard to process the meaning of the information
• strive to identify the key ideas of each paragraph
• carefully review key ideas after. Each section

Question 16

How to get the most out of lectures

Answer 16

• active listening procedures
• read ahead
• write down lecture’s thoughts in your own words
• listen for subtle and non-subtle clues
• ask questions

Question 17

Mnemonic devices

Answer 17

1) acrostics and acronyms (Roy G Biv)
2) rhymes
3) link method (mental image of item to help remember)
4) method of loci (imaginary walk)

Question 18

Personality trait

Answer 18

Durable disposition to behave in a particular way in a variety of situations

Question 19

How “the big 5” are related to important life outcomes

Answer 19

• higher grades are associated with higher conscientious
• two are relative to health and mortality
• positive predictors

Question 20

ID

Answer 20

Pleasure principal/primitive

Question 21

Ego

Answer 21

Decision making/ reality principal

Question 22

Superego

Answer 22

Right and wrong

Question 23

3 types of internal conflict

Answer 23

1) Approach-Approach (two attractive goals)
2) Avoidance-Avoidance (two unattractive goals)
3) Approach-Avoidance (single goal, both attractive and unattractive goal)

Question 24

How optimism is related to stress tolerance

Answer 24

Optimism is associated with better mental and physical health