Deck 4: Coping Processes

Question 1

Which of the following assertions is supported by research on the cathartic effects of media violence

A) Playing violent video games is related to increased aggression.
B) Playing violent video games releases pent-up hostility.
C) Playing violent video games is related to increased prosocial behavior.
D) Playing violent video games decreases physiological arousal

Answer 1

Playing aggressive video games does not release unexpressed hostility.
Hence, option "b" is not correct.
Playing violent video games does not increase prosocial behavior and also does not decrease physiological arousal.
Hence, options "c" and "d" are not correct.
Catharsis:
Catharsis is the process of discharging strong emotional stress.
Cathartic effects of media violence:
Brad Bushman and Craig Anderson in 1991 conducted a pioneering review on the research of aggressive video games and found that:
Watching violent video games was associated with,
• Elevated aggression
• Physiological arousal
• Aggressive thoughts
• Reduced prosocial behavior
Therefore, playing violent video games is linked with elevated aggression.
Hence, the correct answer is option
.

Question 2

Richard feels sure that he failed his calculus exam and that he will have to retake the course. He is very upset. When he gets home, he orders a jumbo-size pizza and drinks two six-packs of beer. Richard's behavior illustrates which of the following coping strategies

A) Catastrophic thinking
B) Defensive coping
C) Self-indulgence
D) Positive reinterpretation

Answer 2

Catastrophic thinking involves unrealistic assessments of stress that amplify the level of an individual's problem.
Hence, option "a" is not correct.
Defensive coping is another mechanism to reduce the stress, but Richard is not using defense coping mechanism.
Hence, option "b" is not correct.
Positive reinterpretation is the positive comparisons with others, which is a coping mechanism.
Hence, option "d" is not correct.
Self-indulgence:
Self-indulgence is the feature of being self-indulgent. Self-indulgent is permitting yourself to do anything that you enjoy.
• For example, after an extremely stressful day some people go for shopping, restaurant, and movies in chase of something sweet.
• Still others respond to stress by drinking, gambling, smoking, and drug use.
Therefore, Richards's behavior illustrates the strategy of self-indulgence.
Hence, the correct answer is option
.

Question 3

Defense mechanisms involve the use of _______ to guard against negative _______.

A) self-deception, behaviors
B) self-deception, emotions
C) self-denial, behaviors
D) self-denial, emotions

Answer 3

Defense mechanisms do not hold the use of self-deception to protect against negative behaviors.
Hence, option "a" is not correct.
Defense mechanisms do not comprise the use of self-denial to protect against negative behaviors.
Hence, option "c" is not correct.
Defense mechanisms do not comprise the use of self-denial to protect against negative emotions.
Hence, option "d" is not correct.
Defense mechanisms:
• They are unconscious responses, which guard a person from guilt and anxiety.
• They shield the person from emotional uneasiness caused by stress.
• The main purpose of defense mechanism is to reduce the intensity of stress and negative emotions.
• Defense mechanism mainly works through self-deception.
Self-deception:
• It is the process of refusing or rationalizing away the relevance, importance or significance of opposing logical argument or evidence.
• Defense mechanisms achieve their goals by altering reality.
Therefore, defense mechanisms involve the use of self-deception to protect against negative emotions.
Hence, the correct answer is option
.

Question 4

When studying defensive illusions, Taylor and Brown found that "normal" people's self-images tend to be _______; depressed people's tend to be _______.

A) accurate, inaccurate
B) less favorable, more favorable
C) overly favorable, more realistic
D) more realistic, overly favorable

Question 5

According to Albert Ellis, people's emotional reactions to life events result mainly from

A) their arousal level at the time.
B) their beliefs about events.
C) congruence between events and expectations.
D) the consequences following events.

Question 6

Brainstorming is associated with which of the following appraisal-focused coping strategies

A) Systematic problem solving
B) Catastrophic thinking
C) Positive reinterpretation
D) Self-enhancing humor

Question 7

Wanda works at a software firm. Today her boss unfairly blamed her for the fact that a new program is way behind schedule. The unjustified public criticism really had an impact on Wanda. Later that evening, she went for a long run to get her anger under control. Wanda is engaging in which category of coping

A) Self-focused coping
B) Appraisal-focused coping
C) Problem-focused coping
D) Emotion-focused coping

Question 8

Research by James Pennebaker and his colleagues suggests that wellness is promoted by

A) depending on more mature defense mechanisms.
B) strong self-criticism.
C) writing about one's traumatic experiences.
D) inhibiting the expression of anger.

Question 9

Which of the following is an emotion-focused coping strategy that provides an outlet for frustration, a distraction from the stressor, and benefits to physical and psychological health

A) Systematic problem solving
B) Defensive coping
C) Benefit finding
D) Exercise

Question 10

Which of the following is not listed in your text as a cause of wasted time

A) Inability to set priorities
B) Inability to work diligently
C) Inability to delegate responsibility
D) Inability to throw things away