Chapter 4
Emotions, Stress, and Human Relations
Test Bank
1. According to _________ psychology, our emotions are an important contribution to our
survival and growth as a species.
a. humanistic
b. evolutionary
c. behaviorist
d. clinical
2. Research on emotion has only recently evolved because
a. most Western European and American societies considered it bothersome.
b. scientists already understood how emotion influences behaviors.
c. most Western European and American societies considered it important.
d. research on emotion was considered unreliable.
3. Studies suggest the ____________ is the part of the brain linked to assessing danger in a
situation.
a. amygdala
b. left hemisphere
c. right hemisphere
d. visual cortex
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4. While hiking, Marston heard a noise in the woods. After evaluating the sound and its
closeness, he determined there was no danger. What part of Marston’s brain assisted him in
assessing danger in this situation?
a. Left hemisphere
b. Right hemisphere
c. Broca’s area
d. Amygdala
5. Many studies suggest the ___________ of the brain is related to positive emotions, such as
happiness.
a. left hemisphere
b. right hemisphere
c. Wernicke’s area
d. amygdala
6. Anxious people have more activity in their right hemisphere, suggesting this hemisphere is
related to the processing of
a. happiness.
b. negative emotions.
c. positive emotions excluding happiness.
d. visual information.
7. When it comes to interpreting situations, events that are meaningful to those experiencing
them are called __________ events.
a. important
b. activating
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c. anticipated
d. life-altering
8. Alex has been in many relationships. Her partner, David, has only been in a couple. After
their first fight, Alex is still very confident the couple is destined to be together, whereas
David is afraid they may break up. These differences in interpretations are probably a
function of differences in
a. activating events.
b. cognitive appraisal.
c. myth of causation.
d. myth of helplessness.
9. Having failed his first psychology exam, Tyler anxiously awaited his grade on the second
one. Again, he failed. Based on his previous performance and his interpretation of the
current grade, Tyler began thinking critically about the teacher’s methods, questioning
techniques, etc. These types of thoughts reinforcing our interpretation of the situation are
also known as
a. activating event.
b. needs.
c. cognitive appraisal.
d. self-talk.
10. Often when something negative happens in our lives, we exaggerate the effects this event
has on other aspects of our lives. This irrational belief is known as
a. catastrophizing.
b. overgeneralization.
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c. myth of causation.
d. need for approval.
11. Jessica left her homework on the bus and was forced to tell her teacher of her mistake.
Before she even talked to her teacher, she assumed the missing homework would make it
impossible for her to improve her grade. This is an example of which irrational belief that
can influence emotions?
a. Catastrophizing
b. Overgeneralization
c. Myth of causation
d. Need for approval
12. _______________ involves exaggerating the frequency of an event whereas
______________ involves exaggerating the importance of an event.
a. Myth of causation; myth of helplessness
b. Need for approval; tyranny of shoulds
c. Overgeneralization; catastrophizing
d. Catastrophizing; overgeneralization
13. Hannah estimates her neighbors keep her awake three to four nights a week with their
partying. In reality, it is only once or twice a month. Her overestimation of her neighbors’
partying is also known as
a. catastrophizing.
b. need for approval.
c. perfectionism.
d. overgeneralization.
14. One example of an irrational belief that can influence emotions is the belief that one
person’s emotions are the direct result of another person’s actions. This is known as
a. perfectionism.
b. the myth of causation.
c. the need for approval.
d. the myth of helplessness.
15. Ethan’s mom becomes angry at her son because, once again, he didn’t make his bed. She
yells, “You make me so angry!” This statement is most related to which irrational belief that
contributes to emotions?
a. Perfectionism
b. The need for approval
c. The myth of causation
d. Catastrophizing
16. According to Ellis (1958), one irrational belief that is a major cause of depression and
anxiety is
a. catastrophizing.
b. need for approval.
c. myth of causation.
d. perfectionism.
17. The belief that you are okay only if everyone else approves of you is an example of which
irrational belief?
a. Overgeneralization
b. Catastrophizing
c. Myth of helplessness
d. Need for approval
18. Marsten is not comfortable with herself unless everyone approves of her. Marsten is
experiencing which irrational belief?
a. Myth of helplessness
b. Overgeneralization
c. Need for approval
d. Perfectionism
19. Belief that other people, or the world in general, ought to think and act in a way that fits
your own belief system is also known as
a. myth of causation.
b. tyranny of shoulds.
c. tyranny of musts.
d. overgeneralization.
20. Isabella believes her daughter Amy should quit her job and take care of her daughter at
home the same way she did when Amy was born. As a result, she constantly suggests that
now is the time for Amy to be at home. Isabella’s irrational expectation that Amy should act
in the same way she did is known as
a. myth of causation.
b. rationalization.
c. overgeneralization.
d. tyranny of shoulds.
21. Nicholas believes that if he works hard and makes a good impression during the interview,
he will get the job he wants. Later, he found out that the interviewer’s nephew “earned” the
job instead. Nicholas’ belief that life should turn out the way he wants is an example of
a. myth of causation.
b. rationalization.
c. overgeneralization.
d. tyranny of shoulds.
22. Expecting yourself to be the best in tasks, relationships, communications, or other goals is
also known as
a. tyranny of shoulds.
b. overgeneralization.
c. perfectionism.
d. myth of helplessness.
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23. Christopher is so concerned about the quality of his writing he finds it difficult to complete a
paragraph. Which irrational belief is interfering with his ability to write?
a. Tyranny of shoulds
b. Perfectionism
c. Overgeneralization
d. Catastrophizing
24. One way to avoid the trap of perfectionism when you struggle with a task involves
a. taking action.
b. complaining.
c. thinking about what you are bad at and focus more attention on that.
d. overlooking the problem.
25. When we assume we are stuck in a bad situation and cannot do anything about it, we are
falling for
a. the tyranny of shoulds.
b. overgeneralization.
c. catastrophizing.
d. the myth of helplessness.
26. Justin is very frustrated he is scheduled to work on a day he usually has off. Rather than ask
someone to trade shifts with him, he complains about his boss and the unfairness of the
situation. Justin’s assumption that he is stuck in also known as
a. the myth of causality.
b. the myth of helplessness.
c. overgeneralization.
d. perfectionism.
27. The tyranny of shoulds leads to which two related irrational beliefs?
a. Catastrophizing; Overgeneralization
b. Need for approval; Overgeneralization
c. Overgeneralization; Tyranny of shoulds
d. Perfectionism; The myth of helplessness
28. One of the major ways to distinguish between “sadness” and “depression” involves
a. why people are upset.
b. the support system available.
c. whether people talk about their emotions.
d. the length of time one experiences the emotion.
29. ___________ is the most widespread psychological disorder in our society.
a. Schizophrenia
b. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
c. Catatonia
d. Depression
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30. Although it can be hard to distinguish between depression and sadness, doctors often use
__________ and
a. gender; expectations.
b. irrational beliefs; hallucinations.
c. duration; intensity.
d. delusions; well-being.
31. Compared to a normal person, a depressed person is
a. able to see him- or herself get better.
b. unable to see him- or herself get better.
c. more energetic.
d. clearly able to solve problems.
32. Depression has been linked to
a. only physiological causes.
b. only cognitive causes.
c. both physiological and cognitive causes.
d. neither physiological or cognitive causes.
33. ___________ therapies work to treat depression by helping the depressed understand how
their thinking affects their emotions and learn to adjust their thinking and emotions.
a. Humanistic
b. Behavioral
c. Medical
d. Cognitive
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34. Gabriel has a hard time recognizing his strengths and feels like a failure regardless of what
he does. His therapist is helping Gabriel to identify his pessimistic beliefs as well as his
successes. This therapy, usually associated with Beck and Ellis, is also known as _________
therapy.
a. humanistic
b. cognitive
c. medical
d. behavioral
35. An intervention for fifth and sixth graders at risk for depression taught students to identify
their pessimistic beliefs, examine the evidence for and against the beliefs, and generate more
realistic alternatives. Which of the following statements best describes the outcome?
a. Children in the training reported greater levels of depression at the end of the trials.
b. Children in the training reported lower levels of depression at the end of the trial and
two years later.
c. Children in the training reported lower levels of depression at the end of the trial, but
greater levels of depression two years later.
d. There were no differences in levels of depression across conditions.
36. One of the most common recommendations by behavioral therapy to reduce low-level
depression is
a. sleeping.
b. cognitive reframing.
c. socializing.
d. fasting.
37. Carrie’s therapist recommended she treat her low-level depression by going out with friends,
visiting a museum, or renting a movie. This recommendation is also known as
a. socializing.
b. sleeping.
c. cognitive reframing.
d. construction.
38. __________ is a normal human emotion that provides a signal that something is wrong.
a. Anger
b. Envy
c. Joy
d. Aggression
39. ___________ is an emotion; _________ is a behavior.
a. Aggression; anger
b. Sadness; depression
c. Sadness; happiness
d. Anger; aggression