week five post one - midterms

Practice Question 1: Multiple Choice

0 points possible (ungraded)

According to research conducted by Tom Gilovich, which of the following is most likely to lead to lasting happiness?

Spending money to see your favorite band perform. correct

Spending money on a new car.

Vigilantly saving money by not spending any on anything.

Spending only a small amount of money at a time.

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Practice Question 2: Multiple Choice

0 points possible (ungraded)

The endogenous neuropeptide that has been implicated in nurturance behaviors, pair-bonding, trust, affection, recovery from stress and pleasure in social contexts is:

adrenaline

hypothalamus

alcohol

oxytocin correct

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Correct

Practice Question 3: Multiple Choice

0 points possible (ungraded)

According to research conducted by Sonja Lyubomirsky and colleagues, which of the following is true of happy people?

They think about the past and future more than the present.

They tend not to be spiritual or religious.

They are comfortable expressing gratitude. correct

They tend not to be goal-oriented.

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Correct

Practice Question 4: Multiple Choice

0 points possible (ungraded)

According to Phil Zimbardo’s research and educational initiatives, which of the following is NOT a likely reason why someone ends up behaving heroically?

He/she is an exceptional person. correct

He/she is in the right circumstance.

He/she has a “heroic imagination.”

He/she has formed a network to bring heroism to life.

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Practice Question 5: Checkboxes

0 points possible (ungraded)

Which of the following describe accurate scientific findings related to apology?

People who receive an apology report better psychological health.

People who apologize report better psychological health.

People who receive an apology are less likely to forgive the person who committed the offense.

Leaders who apologize in the workplace experience greater levels of authentic pride.

correct

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Open Ended Study Questions

Here are some open-ended study questions to help you think about the course material more deeply. Please note that the Midterm Exam will NOT include open-ended questions.

WEEK 1

• How have scientists defined happiness, and what have researchers discovered about the role happiness plays in physical health, relationships, and psychological well-being?
• a range of positive emotions, including joy, pride, contentment, and gratitude; happiness extends life, brings ppl into happier relationships, and gives u a greater well being. 
• How do positive emotions and one’s sense of meaning relate to happiness?
• While happiness is focused on the present, meaningfulness involves thinking about the past, present, future, and the connection between the three. In addition, meaningfulness is derived from giving to to other people, happiness is what they give to you. Meaningful lives involve stress and challenges, but also the importance of self-expression. Unlike meaningfulness, happiness involves satisfaction of wants and needs. In order to have a good, balanced life, people should aim to be both happy and live in a meaningful way. 

• What are some of the challenges and misconceptions people face in pursuing happiness?
• they get obsessed w/ the idea of it and work to hard trying to achieve it, therefore causing them to become unhappy.

WEEK 2

• What evidence suggests that connections with others are key to happiness? Relevant here is the evidence indicating the perils of disconnection or isolation.
• vagus nerve activity is strongly related to feelings of connection and care toward others
•  biologically endowed with tools that help us connect to others, and that these tools of connection are intimately tied to our general health and well-being
• What are the main biological systems that support connecting with others via social affiliation, the formation of long-term trusting relationship bonds, caregiving, and nurturance behaviors?
• researchers found oxytocin playing a role in all kinds of happy occasions
• What is empathy and what has science discovered about its biological underpinnings?
• It’s the ability to step into the shoes of another person, aiming to understand their feelings and perspectives, and to use that understanding to guide our actions

WEEK 3

• What are some of the challenges to being compassionate, and why might it be good for people to be more compassionate?
• Sometimes its hard to connect to people
• less loneliness, stronger immune system, better overall health --- its good for you!
• How have scientists shown that kindness relates to happiness?
• happiness-kindness loop -- volunteerism enhances well-being and life expectancy
• What makes the inclination towards kindness, both across people and within a person, stronger and more widespread?
• kindness gathers its own momentum
• its impact goes well beyond our personal happiness or the well-being of the person we help

WEEK 4

• What scientific evidence from behavioral, biological, and observational studies supports the claim that cooperation and reconciliation of conflict are as important to our survival as competition (i.e., "survival of the fittest")?
• our primate relatives, instead of dispersing and hiding from conflict, peace-make -- its in our DNA to forgive
• Cooperation is connected biologically to happiness because it looks for activation in systems that represent pleasure and reward 
• How do apology and forgiveness relate to happiness, relationship satisfaction, and physiological metrics of stress and well-being?
• Letting go of grudges is associated w lower stress levels
• Couples who forgive are happier nine weeks later
• What inspires trust between people, and what kinds of social experiences or behaviors foster interpersonal trust?
• Touch is a gateway to trust
• Trustworthiness is the most desirable quality in a romantic partner
• most trusting couples are attuned to their partners

Question 1: Checkboxes

1.0/1.0 point (graded)

Which of the following statements about social connections are accurate?

Please CHECK ALL that apply, and do not check options that do not apply. If you select the correct answer(s), you will see a single green check appear to the left of the top-most answer.

Social capital is a measure of the extent to which one is engaged in a supportive social community.

According to Robert Putnam, excessive social capital is the main contributor to many serious struggles in society.

Research suggests that parent-child connections early in life predict happiness in adulthood.

Being socially excluded and physically hurt both activate ‘pain signaling’ regions of the brain.

correct

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Question 2: Multiple Choice

1.0/1.0 point (graded)

Which of the following is likely to trigger trust, forgiveness and cooperative sentiments from others?

Telling people how much money you have donated to charity this year.

Telling people a story about yourself that describes an experience where you were embarrassed. correct

Talking a lot about your strengths and achievements.

Remaining silent and expressionless.

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Question 3: Multiple Choice

1.0/1.0 point (graded)

The “helper’s high” and “warm glow” are popular phrases that describe how people feel after giving to or helping others.

Scientific evidence suggests that which of the following may contribute to these feelings?

Reward signaling systems in the brain

Oxytocin

Empathy with the joy and relief expressed by person who was helped

All of the above correct

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Question 4: Multiple Choice

0.0/1.0 point (graded)

Understanding the meaning of other people’s expressions and considering the reasons behind their thoughts and feelings--that is, being able to “put yourself in another person’s shoes”--is an example of which type of empathy?

Cognitive

Affective

Compassionate

Sympatheticincorrect

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Question 5: Checkboxes

0.0/1.0 point (graded)

Steve Porges’ Polyvagal theory posits that the key role of the mammalian vagus nerve is to support human affiliation.

Which of the statements below are consistent with scientific findings that Dacher discussed about the vagus nerve?

Please CHECK ALL that apply, and do not check options that do not apply. If you select the correct answer(s), you will see a single green check appear to the left of the top-most answer.

People with stronger vagus nerve influence on their heart rate are more socially impulsive.

People with stronger vagus nerve influence on their heart rate tend to experience higher levels of positive emotions.

The vagus nerve is involved in recovering from stress and mobilizing caregiving responses.

The vagus nerve supports aspects of social communication like head and neck movements and vocal intonation.

incorrect

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Question 6: Multiple Choice

1.0/1.0 point (graded)

Which of the following is NOT a scientific finding related to apology?

People who receive apologies report better psychological health.

People who apologize to others report better psychological health.

People who receive apologies are less forgiving. correct

People who apologize to others report more positive emotion.

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Question 7: Multiple Choice

0/1 point (graded)

Which of the following is most consistent with findings from research on how becoming a parent relates to happiness?

There is an increase in parents' happiness levels just around the time of childbirth that gets larger for each successive child.

There is no systematic relationship between becoming a parent and happiness. incorrect

Becoming a parent is associated with an initial increase in happiness followed by a decrease in happiness back to, or sometimes dipping below, pre-parenthood happiness levels.

Later in life, adults who never became parents are slightly happier on average than adults who have children.

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Question 8: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

Which of the following is a barrier to helping?

Feeling overwhelmed by the cost of helping correct

Accurately identifying the cause(s) of suffering

Feeling compassion for the victim

Feeling like you have time to help

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Question 9: Multiple Choice

0/1 point (graded)

Which of the following statements about kindness among young children is NOT supported by research conducted by Felix Warneken, Michael Tomasello, Lara Aknin, and others?

Toddlers typically offer help only after seeing their parents offer help to the same person. correct

Toddlers tend to spontaneously offer help to adults who look like they need help. incorrect

Toddlers in a study appeared happier when they shared a toy than when they played with a toy themselves.

Toddlers in a study appeared happier when they gave one of their own snacks to a puppet than when they gave away someone else’s snack or kept the snack for themselves.

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Question 10: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

Barbara Fredrickson suggests that, based on the pace of cellular renewal in the body, it tends to take around ________ to change a habit or make a lifestyle change.

1 day

1 week

3 months correct

the same amount of time it takes to become an expert at something as it takes

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Question 11: Multiple Choice

0/1 point (graded)

According to research led by Sarina Saturn, which of the following is predicted by variations of a particular gene on the third chromosome, which influences oxytocin functioning?

How well a person reads others’ emotions.incorrect

How sensitive of a parent a person will be.

The extent to which a person will rely on others for social support.

All of the above.

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Question 12: Multiple Choice

0/1 point (graded)

Dacher and Emiliana suggest that compassion can be defined as a feeling of ________ coupled with a desire to ________ those who are suffering.

pity; avoid

pity; helpincorrect

personal distress; help

concern; help

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Question 13: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

Research suggests that higher levels of oxytocin are associated with lower levels of

cortisol correct

trust

cooperation

vagal tone

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Question 14: Checkboxes

1/1 point (graded)

Which of the following are associated with becoming more forgiving?

Please CHECK ALL that apply, and do not check options that do not apply. If you select the correct answer(s), you will see a single green check appear to the left of the top-most answer.

Decreased psychological distress

Increased relationship satisfaction

Decreased anger and bitterness

Increased willingness to be harmed by others

correct

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Question 15: Checkboxes

1/1 point (graded)

Many people assume that having more money will lead to greater happiness. Research suggests that the relationship between money and happiness is more complicated.

Based on this research, which of the following activities would likely NOT lead to greater happiness?

Please CHECK ALL that apply, and do not check options that do not apply. If you select the correct answer(s), you will see a single green check appear to the left of the top-most correct answer.

Commuting long hours for a high-paying job.

Always trying to buy nicer things than your friends have.

Choosing a job that is meaningful to you regardless of the salary level.

After a monetary windfall (e.g., winning the lottery), distancing yourself from people because they want what you have.

correct

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Question 16: Multiple Choice

0/1 point (graded)

Which of the following is a scientific finding indicating how physical touch relates to trust and cooperation?

Basketball teams that don't touch each other as often on the court win more games.

Students who are touched encouragingly on the arm by a teacher show increased voluntary classroom participation. correct

Players touch each other more if they play a game called the “Wall Street game."

Cultures that touch a lot tend to be less trusting than cultures that touch less.incorrect

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Question 17: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

One defining idea about empathy is that some aspect of it occurs automatically; people effortlessly mimic others' movements and actions, including facial expressions.

Evidence that this aspect of empathy may be biologically innate comes from the observation that children first show imitation of facial expressions

when they are explicitly instructed to do so.

in utero.

within the first few weeks of life. correct

when they start walking.

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Question 18: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

Which of these statements challenges the "Set Point" theory of happiness?

Happiness levels tend to be stable over a person's lifetime.

Happiness levels are determined by a person’s genetic inheritance.

People can significantly change their happiness levels through day-to-day exercises, practices and activities. correct

Though certain experiences can boost happiness, the effects are temporary because happiness levels tend to go back down (e.g., hedonic adaptation).

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Question 19: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

When humans feel embarrassed, they tend to avert their eye gaze, show their neck, grimace, and/or touch their face.

Dacher suggests that these expressive behaviors primarily communicate

sadness.

compassion.

contempt.

apology and regret. correct

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Question 20: Multiple Choice

0/1 point (graded)

According to Sonja Lyubomirsky's research, which of these factors plays the smallest role in explaining why your happiness level may be different than someone elses?

Genetic make-up

Life circumstances

Daily experiences/activities

None of the above: Genetic make-up, life circumstances, and daily experiences/activities equally explain differences in happiness levels between people.incorrect

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Question 21: Checkboxes

1/1 point (graded)

Philip Zimbardo, an emeritus professor at Stanford University known for the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment, now runs the Heroic Imagination Project to “promote the social habit of heroism.”

What are some of the circumstances and characteristics associated with heroic actions?

Please CHECK ALL that apply, and do not check options that do not apply. If you select the correct answer(s), you will see a single green check appear to the left of the top-most answer.

Heroic actions are more likely to occur if there are actual opportunities to help.

People who volunteer more are more likely to do something heroic.

People who have survived tragedies themselves are more likely to do something heroic.

People who have more money and free time are more likely to do something heroic.

correct

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Question 22: Checkboxes

0/1 point (graded)

According to Dacher, the scientific study of happiness is important and timely to counter cultural trends towards:

Please CHECK ALL that apply, and do not check options that do not apply. If you select the correct answer(s), you will see a single green check appear to the left of the top-most answer.

narcissim and entitlement

increasing spirituality.

social inequality.

materialism.

incorrect

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Question 23: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

According to Dacher’s synthesis of research on the vagus nerve, which of the following is true?

Greater feelings of pride predict stronger vagus nerve responses.

Children with stronger vagal profiles are more likely to intervene when they witness bullying. correct

The vagus nerve is not involved in digestive processes.

Hearing sad or inspiring stories deactivates the vagus nerve.

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Question 24: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

Which of the following is a scientific finding related to forgiveness?

People who are instructed to forgive another person show increased fight or flight physiology.

Forgiving others is a sign of weakness and submission.

People who are instructed to hold a grudge against another person report more positive emotion.

Romantic partners who forgive one another generally report greater relationship satisfaction. correct

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Question 25: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

According to Fred Luskin, which of the following is NOT a dimension or potential benefit of forgiveness?

A decrease in the urge to punish or seek revenge against the person you are forgiving.

Condoning the action of the person you are forgiving and absolving them of any responsibility. correct

A softening of anger towards the person you are forgiving.

An increase in feelings of compassion toward the person you are forgiving.

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Question 26: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

Studies suggest that spending more time volunteering--that is, serving the welfare of others-- enhances __________ and __________life expectancy.

well being; extends correct

burnout; shortens

physical well-being; has little effect on

depressive symptoms; shortens

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Question 27: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

Two studies of happiness covered so far in the course asked people what they were doing at various times in their day and how they felt at those moments.

Both studies found that people reported some of their highest levels of positive emotion when they were ___________.

eating dessert alone

socializing correct

taking care of their children

shopping

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Question 28: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

Which of the following outcomes is positively associated with happiness?

Lower likelihood of divorce.

Better performance of the immune system.

More satisfying social relationships.

All of the above. correct

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Question 29: Multiple Choice

1/1 point (graded)

When people participate in cooperative exchanges with someone else, brain scans have found increased activity in regions sensitive to dopamine, including the nucleus accumbens, ventral caudate, and orbitofrontal cortex. These results suggest that cooperation…

is more difficult than competition.

is biologically pleasurable. correct

is less logical than competition.

correlates with intelligence.

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Question 30: Multiple Choice

0/1 point (graded)

Harvard professor Daniel Gilbert's studies of "affective forecasting" suggest that people tend to _________ the effect of positive events and __________ the effect of negative events on their general happiness levels.

overestimate; overestimate

underestimate; underestimate

overestimate; underestimateincorrect

underestimate; overestimate

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