Deck 10: Mindfulness, Flow, and Spirituality: in Search of Optimal Experiences

Question 1

How does the mindless pursuit of less than meaningful or unchallenging goals leave people feeling?

A) happy and fulfilled
B) satisfied but tired
C) bored and empty
D) content but cynical

Answer 1

bored and empty

Question 2

What is the hallmark of Langer's conceptualization of mindfulness?

A) reducing our ability to make necessary judgments
B) increasing our tendency to make evaluations of internal events
C) increasing our ability to actively search for novelty
D) reducing our tendency to make evaluations of external events

Answer 2

reducing our tendency to make evaluations of external events

Question 3

Which of the following best fits the idea of mindfulness?

A) actively searching for novelty
B) passively zoning out to everyday life
C) readily accepting new people and ideas
D) steadily focusing on an object or idea

Answer 3

actively searching for novelty

Question 4

What is the implication of Langer and Rodin's study of adults in a residential facility?

A) Adults enjoy making choices but are held back by the perceived consequences.
B) Being allowed to continue to make choices later in life can lead to increased alertness and happiness.
C) Novelty is looked down upon as someone ages.
D) Older adults are apathetic toward engaging in new behaviors, unless they are health related.

Question 5

Drawing novel distinctions requires us to do which of the following?

A) engage in automatic, repetitious behavior
B) engage in frequent evaluation of self, others, and situations
C) overcome the desire to reduce uncertainty in daily life
D) attempt to reduce uncertainty by controlling our surroundings

Question 6

What was the surprising result of Langer's follow-up with the residential facility 18 months later?

A) Individuals who received the package of personal hygiene products were much more active than they had been prior to the intervention.
B) Only half as many people in the group who returned the mail-in survey, versus the group who did not, reported decreased satisfaction with the facility.
C) None of the individuals who received a pass for an outing with one of the staff took advantage of the opportunity to take a break from the residential facility.
D) Only half as many people in the group encouraged to make choices had died, as opposed to the group encouraged to take advantage of the support staff.

Question 7

Which two famous individuals defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?"

A) Albert Einstein and Benjamin Franklin
B) Benedict Arnold and George Washington
C) John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon
D) Bill Clinton and George Bush

Question 8

The more a child attempts to hold a feisty pet still, the more it tries to wriggle away. This analogy is a good example of what point?

A) Our desire to find the good in others is often met with resistance.
B) Our desire to reduce uncertainty often leads to more uncertainty.
C) Our desire to connect with others is often unsuccessful.
D) Our desire to hold on to the past often leads to increased anxiety.

Question 9

How does mindfulness battle people's evaluative nature?

A) It leads people to make fewer unnecessary judgments, particularly negative ones.
B) It leads people to make fewer unnecessary judgments, even positive ones.
C) It encourages people to make quick necessary judgments, particularly negative ones.
D) It encourages people to make quick necessary judgments, particularly positive ones.

Question 10

According to Langer, a flexible state of mind and openness to novelty are characteristics of what positive psychological construct?

A) optimism
B) hope
C) resilience
D) mindfulness

Question 11

Amy Wrzesniewski found that a third of the hospital cleaners in a metropolitan medical center considered their work as a "calling" and therefore were quite vigilant in their attempts to keep the hospital sanitary. This behavior is an example of which positive psychological construct?

A) mindfulness
B) hope
C) resilience
D) optimism

Question 12

Mindfulness is often compared to what age-old process?

A) cultivating awareness in Buddhist traditions
B) the Taoist technique of meditation
C) the Zen technique of contemplation
D) cultivating health and well-being in the Jewish tradition

Question 13

In what way would a Buddhist be expected to use mindfulness?

A) through external means
B) through introspection
C) through the views of others
D) through their tangible actions

Question 14

The psychology of deeper living is concerned with the depths of enjoyment, contentment, and meaningfulness. How is it achieved?

A) by recognizing "peak experiences" when they occur
B) through engagement with everyday life
C) through successful resolution of life's conflicts
D) by most people, but not everyone

Question 15

Automaticity of behavior relies on what assumption?

A) Awareness of all that is happening in the present creates more uncertainty.
B) Mindfulness will occur when we become less automatic in our daily behavior.
C) Events do not come with evaluations, we impose them on our experiences.
D) Quick, well-rehearsed behavior is the easiest behavior in which to engage.

Question 16

Langer, Blank, and Chanowitz explored the automaticity of behavior by sending an interdepartmental memo to university offices. What were they attempting to examine?

A) the effect of novelty on behavior
B) which people would disobey orders for the thrill
C) who would notify bosses about the difference in the memos
D) how people would react to receiving personal messages at work

Question 17

Which statement about a culture-specific concept of mindfulness is correct?

A) In Taoist teachings, mindfulness focuses more on external awareness than on introspection.
B) In Westernized ideas of mindfulness, the construct cannot be studied independently of other constructs.
C) In Buddhist teaching, mindfulness is only one component on the road to true enlightenment.
D) In Western society, mindfulness is a natural outcome of industriousness.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the term "analysis paralysis?"

A) the activation of the autonomic nervous system
B) becoming incapacitated because of mindfulness
C) the distracting effect of having other people around
D) deciding what task to attend to

Question 19

In their study of mindfulness among cleaning hospital workers, Wrzesniewski and colleagues found that mindfulness on the part of the hospital cleaning teams was associated with ______.

A) lower rates of employee turnover
B) reduced sick days
C) improvement of the hospital environment
D) more positive relations with administrators

Question 20

What did the study by Langer and colleagues indicate about the automaticity of behavior?

A) People have little control over the automaticity of their behavior.
B) Automaticity of behavior typically changes when there is danger.
C) Mindfulness can occur when people are less automatic in their behaviors and seek novelty.
D) Uncertainty about a situation can increase the automaticity of behavior.

Question 21

Based on research by Biegel, Brown, Shapiro, and Schubert, which symptom of a psychological disorder would be decreased by practicing mindfulness meditation?

A) delusions
B) mania
C) anxiety
D) inattentiveness

Question 22

In consideration of cognitive appraisal, how is mindfulness approached by novice and experienced users?

A) Newer users of mindfulness tend to use a bottom-up approach, while longer-term users tend to use a top-down approach.
B) Newer users of mindfulness tend to use a top-down approach, while longer-term users tend to use a bottom-up approach.
C) A bottom-down approach tends to be used by both new users and longer-term users of mindfulness strategies.
D) A top-down approach tends to be used by both new users and longer-term users of mindfulness strategies.

Question 23

What is insinuated about being less judgmental through practicing mindfulness meditation?

A) Someone can learn to let go of certain emotional states or keep from intensifying them.
B) Making less judgments can lead to making more uncertain decisions.
C) People can learn to value their own intense emotional states.
D) An individual's state of relaxation can lead to transcendence.

Question 24

Which of these people who face a high-pressure situation would see the most benefit from utilizing mindfulness mediation?

A) a baker
B) a bus driver
C) a cashier
D) a police officer

Question 25

What hindered past research of mindfulness meditation?

A) too little research on the practical aspects of mindfulness meditation
B) a lack of rigor in studying the practice of mindfulness meditation
C) an inability to agree on defining the concept
D) a lack of enthusiasm for funding research in this area

Question 26

In Bishop and colleagues' two-component system of mindfulness, what does emotional openness facilitate?

A) acceptance and appreciation of all external experiences
B) a reduction in our tendency to make evaluations of external events
C) acceptance and appreciation of all internal experiences
D) a reduction in our tendency to make evaluations of internal events

Question 27

Which of the following has been shown to be a benefit of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in the treatment of psychiatric disturbances?

A) a reduction in the frequency of relapse in depression
B) less inattentiveness associated with ADHD
C) lower anxiety levels stemming from social phobia
D) reduction in negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Question 28

Under what circumstances might it be counterproductive to incorporate some aspects of mindfulness into one's daily life?

A) for an individual who is in a threatening environment
B) for an individual who is handling a physical illness
C) for an individual with a mental illness
D) for an individual who is facing stigma

Question 29

What habit is mentioned by the Women's Heart Foundation as one that can be regulated using mindfulness mediation?

A) alcohol consumption
B) smoking
C) eating
D) technology usage

Question 30

Which of the following best describes the concept of mindfulness meditation?

A) engaging in Eastern-style meditation practices to reach a higher spiritual plane
B) combining meditation with intense outward focus
C) integrating meditation into a physical exercise paradigm
D) making the mind more receptive to one's current situation and internal states

Question 31

Research on responding to Stroop tasks and memory tasks has demonstrated that mindfulness meditation interventions can decrease ______.

A) the tendency to automatically respond to stimuli
B) attention toward work tasks
C) the experience of negative emotions
D) errors on assessments of memory

Question 32

Which of the following statements about mindfulness is true?

A) Therapists have not yet integrated the concept of mindfulness into their practices.
B) Children do not prefer mindful adults.
C) Being mindful in one's daily life might increase the ability to multitask.
D) The functionality of some components of mindfulness depends on the situation.

Question 33

Improving mindfulness is related to better spatial abilities, increased ability for awareness, and ______.

A) faster neurotransmission
B) better linguistic skills
C) increased neuroplasticity
D) enhanced coordination

Question 34

What does research indicate about children who interact with mindful adults who use compassionate approaches?

A) They become more passive-aggressive.
B) They demonstrate less self-devaluation.
C) They are kinder to their peers.
D) They are less likely to need to use mindfulness.

Question 35

Duncan, Coatsworth, and Greenberg proposed a model of mindful parenting that emphasizes building the parent-child relationship through interacting with more ______.

A) happiness
B) determination
C) compassion
D) honesty

Question 36

Which group do the authors state describes mindfulness as attending nonjudgmentally to all stimuli in the internal and external environments?

A) researchers
B) practitioners
C) teachers
D) graduate students

Question 37

Kabat-Zinn and Skillings examined the effects of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program on stress hardiness and sense of coherence in hospital patients. What were the results of their study?

A) Hardiness was unchanged by the intervention, but coherence improved.
B) Hardiness improved but coherence remained unchanged.
C) Neither hardiness nor coherence improved over the course of the intervention.
D) Both hardiness and coherence improved over the course of the intervention.

Question 38

In Bishop and colleagues' two-component system, self-regulated attention concentrates on ______.

A) current personal experience
B) internal locus of control
C) the acceptance and appreciation of internal experiences
D) problem-focused coping

Question 39

Greason and Cashwell found that higher degrees of mindfulness in counseling psychology trainees predicted higher levels of ______.

A) congruence and kindness
B) self-regulation and sociability
C) self-reliance and confidence
D) self-efficacy and empathy

Question 40

Which of the following has been shown to see a significant increase by using mindfulness meditation?

A) spiritual experience
B) wisdom
C) courage
D) hope

Question 41

John feels like the challenges and opportunities at his new job are "too easy" relative to his skills. According to Csikszentmihalyi, what subjective state is John likely to experience?

A) flow
B) boredom
C) anxiety
D) frustration

Question 42

What is flow or "full-capacity" living thought to be directly linked to?

A) optimal development and functioning
B) a problem-free family life
C) enhanced self-esteem
D) higher educational attainment

Question 43

What do some researchers believe are the true benefits of spirituality in our lives?

A) love and transcendence
B) purpose and meaning
C) joy and fulfillment
D) meaning and intimacy

Question 44

Which of the following is a characteristic of flow?

A) intense concentration on the future
B) heightened awareness of those around you
C) inability to move or speak
D) distortion of temporal experience

Question 45

Researchers have recently started to conduct research about the benefits of spirituality and religion for ______.

A) children
B) Christians
C) privileged groups
D) Muslim individuals

Question 46

What are the characteristics of someone who has an autotelic personality?

A) They do things to achieve an extrinsically motivated goal.
B) They are high in self-efficacy and self-esteem.
C) They are motivated by environmental and cultural considerations.
D) They have intrinsic motivation to engage in high-challenge, high-skill situations.

Question 47

What should be inferred from studies on the relationship between spirituality and positive life outcomes?

A) Spirituality is linked to positive outcomes that are altruistic in nature.
B) Positive life outcomes are not enhanced by spirituality.
C) Positive outcomes are subjective, making it difficult to understand the influence of spirituality.
D) The relationship is nuanced, indicating that spirituality might be bidirectional.

Question 48

Which of the following is a widely accepted description of spirituality?

A) the "search for the sacred"
B) the "search for the holy grail"
C) the "drive for knowledge and understanding"
D) the "force of life within"

Question 49

Which brain chemical has been shown to be integral to the flow process?

A) gaba
B) dopamine
C) adrenaline
D) epinephrine

Question 50

Research on factors that prevent the experience of flow indicates that women can experience this phenomenon due to ______.

A) income disparity
B) relationship quality
C) sexual objectification
D) poor work relationships

Question 51

What is implied by the effectiveness of spiritual interventions for LGBTQ individuals?

A) These individuals are still at odds with their identity as indicated by holding spiritual beliefs.
B) It is important not to give in to stereotypes in terms of who is thought of as being spiritual, religious, or neither.
C) Clinicians who are extreme about their spiritual beliefs should not treat LGBTQ individuals.
D) LGBTQ communities subscribe to nontraditional spiritual beliefs that should be examined more.

Question 52

What did researchers determine about the connection between spirituality and other positive states?

A) Positive emotions were predictive of spirituality and religiousness.
B) Spirituality and religiousness causes people to be happy.
C) Neutral emotions were predictive of spirituality and religiousness.
D) Spirituality and religiousness creates both mindfulness and flow.

Question 53

How would Csikszentmihalyi refer to someone who enjoys life and "generally does things for their own sake?"

A) as a free spirit
B) as an autotelic personality
C) as an independent personality
D) as an actualized personality

Question 54

What has been demonstrated by studies on flow and culture?

A) Chinese students in Hong Kong preferred skill level to be higher than challenge level.
B) Students in Western cultures preferred an equal skill and challenge level.
C) Japanese students were more like students from the United States in skill and challenge level preferences.
D) Eastern students did not show a preference toward the amount of skill or challenge involved.

Question 55

In which of the following situations would an individual most likely experience flow?

A) playing chess with a typical 6-year old
B) doing yoga with an inexperienced instructor
C) playing basketball with someone who has more skill
D) studying for a test while watching television

Question 56

Perceived challenges or opportunities for action that stretch existing personal skills are conditions of what positive psychological construct?

A) mindfulness
B) love
C) flow
D) engagement

Question 57

According to the flow model, experiencing absorption provides intrinsic rewards that encourage which of the following behaviors?

A) mindfulness
B) self-actualization
C) engagement
D) persistence

Question 58

Which of the following groups would see the most benefit from the application of spirituality in therapeutic settings?

A) people with high socioeconomic status
B) White Americans
C) Latinos
D) people with poor physical health

Question 59

As flow emerges, there is a loss of ______.

A) self-consciousness
B) self-control
C) self-efficacy
D) self-awareness

Question 60

What do Peterson and Seligman assert about spirituality?

A) Spirituality is a cultural fact.
B) Spirituality is an important but nonessential part of human life.
C) Spirituality is a universal strength of transcendence.
D) Spirituality is a vital part of American society.

Question 61

Spirituality is a vital part of society, and especially within the United States.

Question 62

Describe an experience you have had with the phenomenon of flow. Choose an experience that matches the characteristics of the two conditions of flow.

Question 63

Mindfulness requires that someone is more engaged with evaluations of self, others, and situations.

Question 64

The three regions of momentary experiences are flow, boredom, and anxiety.

Question 65

Mindfulness is better served for use by those who can avoid facing adverse circumstances.

Question 66

Japanese individuals experience more flow in comparison to U.S. and German individuals.

Question 67

Mindfulness can be manifested through people's everyday behaviors.

Question 68

It is unclear whether spirituality assists American Indian youth with acculturation.

Question 69

Cultural intelligence, the ability to interact effectively with others from different cultures, is based on the use of mindfulness.

Question 70

Explain how mindfulness could be beneficial as an intervention in an unhealthy relationship between parents and their child.

Question 71

Research on religiousness in the United States tends to come from a secular perspective.

Question 72

Someone with the characteristics of an autotelic personality prefers medium-skill, high-challenge situations to help stimulate growth.

Question 73

Use of the experience sampling method can help determine which activities and environments could use an increase in optimal experiences.

Question 74

Identify the benefits of using flow in the workplace and how it can be fostered.

Question 75

Studies show that the flow state can be achieved in individuals who are shopping online.

Question 76

Describe how spirituality has been proven to be useful for African Americans.

Question 77

Mindfulness is useful in treating chronic pain and anxiety.

Question 78

The connection between spirituality and well-being can also be mediated by a sense of community.

Question 79

Identify the three components of mindfulness, as described by Langer.

Question 80

Research indicates that the links between religiosity and happiness that are observed with Christians have failed to be seen for Muslim individuals.