Motivation, Emotion, and Stress — HS Psychology practice questions

A student reads novels for fun, with no grade involved. This is:

1. extrinsic motivation
2. drive reduction
3. the overjustification effect
4. intrinsic motivation

Answer: D — intrinsic motivation

D) Correct — The activity is rewarding in itself. A) Comes from outside rewards like grades or pay. B) Is about satisfying biological needs. C) Is losing interest after being rewarded for something you already enjoyed.

Paul Ekman found that people in many cultures recognize the same facial expressions for:

1. happiness only
2. no emotions, since all expressions are learned
3. basic emotions like fear and joy
4. complex emotions like guilt

Answer: C — basic emotions like fear and joy

C) Correct — Expressions of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise and disgust are recognized widely. A) Several basic emotions were recognized. B) Reverses his finding. D) Recognition was strongest for basic emotions.

Competitive, hostile Type A personalities are at higher risk of:

1. coronary heart disease
2. low blood pressure
3. skin cancer
4. Alzheimer's disease

Answer: A — coronary heart disease

A) Correct — Hostility in particular is linked to heart disease. B) Reverses the finding; hostility goes with higher blood pressure. C) Isn't linked to Type A behavior. D) Isn't the documented link.

Coping with stress by changing the stressful situation itself is called:

1. emotion-focused coping
2. problem-focused coping
3. defensive coping
4. learned helplessness

Answer: B — problem-focused coping

B) Correct — It targets the source of stress, like making a study plan before an exam. A) Manages feelings rather than the situation. C) Distorts or avoids the problem. D) Is giving up after repeated failure.

In Maslow's hierarchy, which need generally must be met before belonging and love?

1. esteem
2. self-actualization
3. safety
4. achievement

Answer: C — safety

C) Correct — The order is physiological, safety, belonging, esteem, self-actualization. A) Comes after belonging. B) Is at the top. D) Is part of esteem.

According to the Yerkes–Dodson law, performance on a difficult task is best with:

1. a very high level of arousal
2. no arousal at all
3. a relatively low level of arousal
4. the same arousal as an easy task

Answer: C — a relatively low level of arousal

C) Correct — Hard tasks peak at lower arousal; easy tasks peak at higher arousal. A) Helps simple tasks but hurts hard ones. B) Too little arousal hurts performance too. D) Hard tasks peak at lower arousal than easy ones.

The James-Lange theory says that:

1. body changes and emotion happen at the same time
2. we feel afraid because we notice our body react
3. emotion depends on arousal plus a cognitive label
4. emotions come before any body reaction

Answer: B — we feel afraid because we notice our body react

B) Correct — The body reacts first (racing heart), and awareness of that reaction is the emotion. A) Is the Cannon-Bard theory. C) Is the Schachter-Singer two-factor theory. D) Reverses James-Lange, which puts the body first.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Physiological → safety → love/belonging → esteem → self-actualization.

Schachter-Singer theory?

Two-factor: physiological arousal + cognitive label = emotion.

Type A vs Type B personality?

Type A: competitive, hard-driving, impatient, easily angered; hostility is linked to heart disease. Type B: more relaxed and easygoing.

Drive reduction theory?

Behavior reduces biological drives (hunger, thirst). Homeostasis.