Psychology Final Exam

When I haven't gotten enough sleep, I act grouchy and might yell at my kids. But normally, I treat them kindly.

this is NOT fundamental attribution error

Julia parents tell people she rescued the drowning beetle because she's so tender-hearted

this is fundamental attribution error

The person who broke into my car must have been pure evil.

this is fundamental attribution error

If the food available to us is packaged in larger portions or served on larger plates, we may inadvertently consume more. Whereas, if we're offered smaller portion options or eat using smaller plates, we'll consume less. What is this phenomenon called?

unit bias

Gwen practices the piano for hours each day because she feels motivated to reach mastery and a high level of performance. What do we call the force that's energizing and directing Gwen's commitment to practice?

achievement motivation

Because of the atrocities she saw during the civil war in her homeland as a child, Ora has a low baseline for what she expects from life and humanity. She's experienced severe deprivation, and so feels grateful for each small blessing that's come to her life since. Things like clean water and a chance for education feel like luxuries; and whenever difficulties have arisen in her later years, she's had enough context to say, "things could be much much worse." Which phenomenon explains why Ora is so easily satisfied with basic things?

adaptation-level phenomenon

Which of the "Big Five" traits includes being more likely to fill another person's needs before your own?

agreeableness

What do we call the theory that we explain someone's behavior by crediting either the situation or the person's disposition?

attribution theory

Kim has just moved into town and is hoping to find a good yoga studio. She noticed the man living across the hall has a man-bun, and a full beard--surely he would know a lot about yoga!

stereotype

Lemar owns a construction business and is reviewing applications for a job opening that requires heavy lifting. He throws out the two applications he received from women, because he believes men are stronger and better at construction.

discrimination

Lily owns a daycare business and is looking to care for more children in the coming school year. She interviews a family interested in her services. They speak with an accent, and the mother wears a hijab (head covering). Lily doesn't feel safe taking care of Muslim children. and so tells the family she is no longer accepting new customers.

discrimination

Hoover the dog leads a pretty simple life. When he needs water, his body creates an uncomfortable tension that signals to his brain he's thirsty--so he drinks. The same thing happens when he's hungry--he finds food and eats. When the neighbor dog Pixie comes around, Hoover's body sends signals to procreate. Like Hoover, humans are also motivated to maintain homeostasis by responding to bodily needs. Hoover's actions most closely match which theory of motivation?

drive-reduction theory

I work an intense high-pressured job, and am not interested in quitting, but I do need a way to stay sane, so on my lunch hour, I like to swim 30 laps. This resets my brain so I can handle the rest of my work day.

emotion-focused coping

Today is the birthday of my wife who died of cancer last year, so I'm going to make her favorite cake to celebrate.

emotion-focused coping

Morgan has a day off work--a perfect chance to relax and spend time at the lake. However, his dad will be coming in the afternoon to help him build some cabinets, and Morgan should clean up the workshop before his dad sees what a disaster it is. He already thinks Morgan is a screw-up. Which motivation in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs might explain if Morgan decides to stay home and clean his workshop?

esteem needs

I hope the girls at my new school want to be friends with me.

external locus of control

I wish my parents had forced me to stick with piano lessons.

external locus of control

The traffic is so bad--it's hard to get anywhere on time.

external locus of control

If we force ourselves to smile by biting a pen between our teeth (or taping our cheeks up to use "smile" muscles), it might signal to our brains to actually feel happy. What do we call this phenomenon?

facial feedback effect

Which hormone is secreted by your empty stomach signaling to your brain that you're hungry? It's the hormone your body produces more of when you don't get enough sleep, which may lead to weight gain.

ghrelin

Cameron is in his third year of law school and is running into some obstacles. The workload is feeling tough and he doesn't know if he can cope emotionally with the schedule required. In addition, Cameron is feeling lonely and isolated because his program leaves very little time for dating and friends. He is so close to his goal but Cameron doesn't know if he can stick with it. Which personal characteristic must Cameron have in order to persist through obstacles in order to reach his long-term goal of becoming a lawyer?

grit

Consider Freud's theory of "The Self," as it applies to the following scenario: While walking downtown, you see your dream car parked on the street. You love this car. You want it. The [ Select ] ["super-ego", "id", "ego"] part of your "self" wants to break into the car, hotwire it, and drive it away. But your ego reminds you there are socially appropriate ways to meet your needs. You must work hard to earn the money and then buy it legally. Meanwhile your [ Select ] ["ego", "super-ego", "id"] chimes in and says that buying that car would be an irresponsible waste of money, and you'd probably never earn enough anyway because you're not smart enough to get a high-paying job.

id, ego, super-ego

After the final, Lucy and her friends talked about how they answered each question. On the question about the Monroe Doctrine, she put something completely different. "Oops!" she thinks, "I guess I got that one wrong."

informational social influence

Manny planned to vote for the Republican congressman, but everyone he talked to was voting for the Democrat. He ended up voting for the Democrat because if everyone else liked him, then maybe he wasn't such a bad guy after all.

informational social influence

Which hormone, secreted by the pancreas, controls blood glucose levels? (Hint: people with diabetes have difficulty regulating it.)

insulin

I got hired because I was the best qualified applicant.

internal locus of control

If I'd studied harder for that test, I might have gotten a better score.

internal locus of control

My relationship ended because I wasn't willing to put in the hard work needed to get past differences that arose.

internal locus of control

Colton grew up in a home where his dad never seemed happy with him. If he got bad grades, his dad told him he was stupid; if he got good grades, his dad still told him he was stupid. His dad would verbally abuse him when he acted responsible and helpful, and when he didn't. So Colton just accepted the abuse because there was nothing he did that seemed to make it stop. Later in life, when Colton's boss criticized his work, Colton made no attempts to improve, because experience had taught him that trying to win a person's approval is futile. Colton's response exhibits which phenomenon?

learned helplessness

While Cora was growing up, her family was part of a loving and supportive religious community. She has lots of happy memories of church camp, and family activities. Now Cora is married with children of her own. As an adult, she's found she no longer believes important teachings of her church group. However, Cora wants her kids to grow up in the same environment with the same experiences she had, and she values the closeness with her parents, siblings, and friends; so decides to stay and worship within the same religious community. When Cora chose which religion to raise her kids, she was most strongly motivated by which level in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

love and belonging needs

Bella is at a party with all her third grade friends. They're talking about how yucky cherry ice cream is, but Bella really likes it--it's actually her favorite flavor. When it's her turn to tell the group what kind of ice cream she likes best, she says "chocolate."

normative social influence

During the town hall meeting, Randy wanted to vote against the mill levy, but when he saw he was the only one against it, he changed his vote so he didn't get anyone upset.

normative social influence

Which of the "Big Five" traits includes being curious, adventurous, and progressive?

openness

Levi is a pretty funny guy and always makes his friends laugh. He wants to try stand-up comedy because he thinks the added energy and pressure of the situation might take his performance to the next level. When his friends come to his first show, they're amazed how much funnier and more energized Levi becomes when performing for a big audience. The next month, Levi has another show. He hears that a scout from a local comedy troupe is in the audience looking for new talent. Levi doesn't feel quite experienced enough to impress a scout. Additionally, Levi starts to get a terrible headache just before the show. Not surprisingly, this second performance isn't as good as his first. Levi's experience can be best explained through which theory?

optimum arousal

Melody is driving on the highway trying to get to a party for which she is already late. Unfortunately she has to go to the bathroom urgently, and so pulls off at the exit to find the nearest gas station. When Melody decided to pull over, she was most strongly motivated by which level in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

physiological needs

Emily lives next door to a gay couple. She feels nervous about this because she worries they might somehow make her sons become gay.

prejudice

Gareth teaches art at a local college and feels really annoyed by some of his overtly religious students, who he feels aren't capable of making "real art." He'd feel fine if they just dropped his class.

prejudice

Because our finances are so tight and things feel stressful, I'm going to have to stop buying purses for awhile.

problem-focused coping

When my mom visits, I feel stressed because she always mentions something about my daughter's weight. This time, when she visits, I tell her that when she calls my daughter "fat" right in front of her, it makes her feel shame and is emotionally abusive. I tell my mom I can't allow her to abuse my daughter, and if she can't say constructive things, she will no longer be allowed around her.

problem-focused coping

Dexter has some extra money he's looking to invest in the stock market. There are a few publicly traded local companies he admires for their commitment to socially responsible practices. He's tempted to invest all his money in these few companies, but is afraid he might end up losing it. Instead he chooses a safer index fund. It's true, some of the companies in the fund aren't aligned with his values, but he appreciates the low financial risk. When Dexter chose to invest in the index fund, he was most strongly motivated by which level in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

safety needs

What do we call the theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame.

scapegoat theory

Nothing makes Elissa happier than playing the trumpet. When she plays the trumpet, she feels like all her problems disappear, and the world seems right and whole. Her parents would like her to go to law school after graduation, but an opening was just posted for her favorite jazz ensemble, and Elissa is thinking of auditioning. Playing with them would be a dream come true! Which level from Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs seems to be motivating Elissa to audition for the jazz ensemble?

self-actualization needs

Naomi is a talented investment banker and has spent the last two decades making herself and others rich. She felt happy in that line of work, doing something in which she felt talented and capable. But for the last year or two, Naomi has felt a tug on her heart. She feels compelled to use her time and money in the service of others less fortunate, and plans to move to the Solomon Islands to be a teacher and help them build a school and a hospital. Which level from Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs seems to be motivating Naomi to move to the Solomon Islands?

self-transcendence needs

Burt enjoys interacting with senior citizens, but uses an extra-loud voice when speaking to them, because he imagines many of them are hard-of-hearing.

stereotype