The Social Psychology Of Sustainability
Note: These questions are part of a larger data base of questions on module 31. The questions
are selected to represent the type of question you should expect on unit exam three. 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 practice for the 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.
Parkinsons 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. The text suggests that todays American dream is
one nation, indivisible.
freedom & justice for all.
life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness.
life, liberty, & the purchase of happiness.
10. 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.
11. The "triple bottom line" is a business principle that measures corporate performance along three lines.
The "triple bottom line" can be expressed as
profit, profit & profit.
people, planet & payoffs.
population, plants & proliferation.
profits, environmental sustainability, & social responsibility.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. When Thoreau said "It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from
living freely and nobly." he was referring to
sustainability.
the concept of "Flow".
materialism.
the adaptation-level phenomenon.
social comparison.
the triple bottom line.
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Social Psychology
Robert C. Gates