Self Test for Social Psychology &the Sustainable Future

Note: These questions are part of a larger data base of questions on Chapter 16. The Questions 
are selected to represent the type of question you should expect on unit exam one. You can, in fact, 
expect to see many of these very same questions on that exam. Exam questions, however, 
may deal with topics not covered in the self tests or in lectures but are discussed in your textbook. You 
are responsible for the content of your text book plus the content of lectures, interactive activities, 
& material on the web site.

Use these sample questions to test yourself & to get ready for the unit test.  

1. In affluent countries, the correlation between increased individual income & personal 
happiness is

• about .4.
 • surprisingly weak.
  • moderately strong.
   • surprisingly strong.

2. In a study of college alumni, those who value ________ were twice as likely as their classmates 
to be “fairly” or “very” unhappy. 

 marriage 
  close friendships 
   high income & vocational success 
    none of these 

3. The tendency to adapt to a given level of stimulation, & then notice and react to changes from 
that level defines 

 social comparison. 
  relative deprivation. 
   Parkinson’s second law. 
   the adaptation-level phenomenon. 

4. People feel less depressed and more satisfied if they 

 make lots of money. 
  compare themselves to others who are equally well off. 
   compare themselves to others who are less well off than themselves. 
    compare themselves to others who are slightly better off than themselves. 

5. Social psychology can contribute to a sustainable future by 

 its insights regarding social comparison. 
  its insights into the adaptation-level phenomenon. 
   its explorations into what really contributes to subjective well-being. 
    all of these! 

6. Csikszentmihalyi refers to the state wherein we are unself-consciously absorbed in a mindful challenge as 

 flow. 
  drift. 
   dynamic introspection. 
    unconditional positive regard. 

7. Which of the following does not make for the genuine good life? 

 engaging activity 
  increased income 
   close relationships 
    a hope-filled faith community 

8. Which of the following does not characterize Americans over the last 40 years? 

 increased consumption 
  increased personal income 
   increased rates of depression 
    increased subjective well-being  

9. A source of hope for a sustainable future is

•  increasing technological & agricultural efficiency. 
 •  decreasing the rate at which technology advances. 
  •  educating the masses in 3rd world countries to consume less. 
   •  low birth rates in technologically advanced countries.

10.  The vision of sustainable human society resides in creation of 

•  healthy economic growth & equity. 
 •  healthy ecosystems & conservation of natural resources. 
  •  worldwide social development. 
   •  the simultaneous creation of all of these.

11.  The social dimension of sustainability encompasses the political, the cultural & all people-centered issues, except the economic. It entails 
ensuring that the basic conditions for human life to flourish exist within society. These include: 

•  Social interaction, sense of belonging & spiritual enrichment. 
 •  Food, shelter & clothing. 
  •  Education. 
   •  Health care. 
    •  All of these.

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                             Social Psychology
                               Robert C. Gates