Exam 4: Choices and Actions: The Self in Control

Even though Tyra knows that most people take much longer than they anticipate in completing their dissertations (sometimes even years longer), she is certain that she will be able to conduct her dissertation research, write her dissertation, and defend it to the members of the dissertation committee, all within nine months. She is sure that if she works hard, she will be able to successfully finish per schedule. Tyra appears to be ____.

Some experts believe that the central purpose of self-awareness is to promote ________________.

Suppose that you are out on a date. Although your date is somewhat entertaining, you keep having intrusive thoughts about the paper that you need to finish writing when you get home. These thoughts are evidence of the ____.

Michael has to choose an online course to improve his skills. After much deliberation, he chooses a course on marketing. After a few weeks, Michael feels that he does not enjoy the course and wishes he had picked another course. Although he still has the option to select another course, Michael decides to stick to the marketing course. This scenario is an example of ____.

Reactance theory and self-determination theory both suggest that a sense of freedom and autonomy is important to people.

Research indicates that people who believe that they are acting autonomously, based on intrinsic motivations, are ____ compared to people who believe that their behavior is guided by external forces and extrinsic motivations.

The so-called fear-of-success theory-the idea that many people fear being too successful at work lest they turn off potential romantic partners-

Research findings suggest that people become less prosocial when induced to reject their belief in free will. These findings can best be interpreted as indicating that ____.

How do suicidal people tend to think about the future?

Do most psychologists today believe that people have free will?

Are all motivations equal? Why or why not? What is the connection between autonomy and motivations?

Research suggests that dieters are MOST successful in losing weight ____.

When entity theorists encounter failure, they are more likely than incremental theorists to experience learned helplessness.

When purchasing a car, people end up paying a bit more attention than intended to choices such as color and engine size, and a bit less attention than intended on information such as the chances of fatalities should there be an accident with the car. This pattern can be taken as evidence for ____.

According to MOST theories in social psychology, self-defeating behavior is ____.

Why is it usually a doomed idea for people to try to diet when under stress?

What is the connection between self-awareness and suicide? What is the typical mental state of suicidal people?

Suppose that Sergej has just asked Georgia whether she would like to study with him for an upcoming English exam. Georgia is struggling in the class, and she knows that Sergej is an excellent English student, and therefore she enthusiastically agrees. Meanwhile, Sergej interprets Georgia's enthusiasm as a sign that she might have a crush on him. He suggests that the two of them grab a bite to eat together before studying. Georgia is very attractive," he says to himself, "so why not?" Georgia, on the other hand, is completely clueless about Sergej's thoughts and says to herself, "Well, that is so nice of him to think that I might be hungry; what a thoughtful study partner!" The fact that Sergej and Georgia interpret things so differently in this scenario is MOST consistent with ____.

Does having goals actually help people achieve things? Does it matter if the goals are broad (e.g., "getting a good education")rather than narrow (e.g., "getting a good grade on a specific assignment")?

Mr. Lee has been drinking a lot of whiskey lately and wants to cut back. Research suggests that he is more likely to be successful if he keeps a record of exactly how much whiskey he consumes every week. In other words, ____.