Psychology Chapter on Motivated Cognition

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Questions and Answers

What did psychotic symptoms at age 11 predict by age 38?

Improved mental health outcomes

Higher rates of schizophrenia, PTSD, and suicide attempts (correct)

Decrease in childhood psychopathology

Increased social skills

Which symptoms were found to be non-predictive of psychotic symptoms at age 11?

Bipolar disorder

Recurrent anxiety and depression (correct)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Personality disorders

What emphasizes the importance of early prevention and support programs?

The link between early adversity and long-term health impacts (correct)

The decrease in mental health disorders over time

The ineffectiveness of early interventions

The rise in social skills among children

What was the outcome for children with psychotic symptoms at age 11 by age 38?

None were free from mental health disorders Signup and view all the answers

What type of early interventions are suggested to produce lifelong benefits?

Targeted interventions that focus on soft skills Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the motivated cognition approach?

How motives shape perception and thought processes Signup and view all the answers

According to self-discrepancy theory, what emotions are primarily associated with the actual vs. ideal discrepancy?

Dejection-related emotions such as sadness Signup and view all the answers

What does Bandura's concept of self-efficacy refer to?

The belief in one's ability to succeed Signup and view all the answers

Defensive pessimism is a strategy that involves expecting the worst outcome primarily for which reason?

To prepare emotionally for potential failure Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best defines the 'ideal self' in Higgins' Self-Discrepancy Theory?

The person you wish to become based on hopes and aspirations Signup and view all the answers

What type of emotions are associated with the actual vs. ought discrepancy in self-discrepancy theory?

Agitation-related emotions such as anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'entity view' in Dweck's Implicit Theories of Intelligence refer to?

The perspective that intelligence is a fixed trait Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the 'own' standpoint in Higgins' Self-Discrepancy Theory?

Your personal beliefs about your capabilities and qualities Signup and view all the answers

What is reappraisal associated with?

Decreased psychopathology Signup and view all the answers

What is a downside of using suppression as an emotion regulation strategy?

Reduced reward responsivity Signup and view all the answers

How does neurofeedback training aim to help PTSD patients?

By teaching self-regulation of brain activity Signup and view all the answers

At age 3, which group tends to show externalizing problems in early development?

Undercontrolled Signup and view all the answers

What factor is linked to higher BMI at age 26 according to the Dunedin study?

Lower childhood SES Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable outcome of the Perry Preschool Program?

Increased educational attainment Signup and view all the answers

Childhood adversity is linked with what aspect of brain development?

Smaller cortical surface areas Signup and view all the answers

What form of coping is positive reinterpretation considered?

Emotion-focused coping Signup and view all the answers

What trait is NOT associated with a well-adjusted personality group?

Impulsivity Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive area is targeted by neurofeedback for PTSD treatment?

Amygdala Signup and view all the answers

Which personality group is most likely to develop antisocial personality disorder?

Undercontrolled Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of childhood social isolation on mid-life health?

Increased inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What does higher childhood conscientiousness predict?

Greater longevity Signup and view all the answers

What type of discrepancy is linked to dejection-related emotions like disappointment and dissatisfaction?

Ideal Discrepancy: Actual/Own vs. Ideal/Own Signup and view all the answers

What emotion is typically associated with the Actual/Own vs. Ought/Other discrepancy?

Fear Signup and view all the answers

Which factor may increase sensitivity to negative emotions such as fear and anxiety?

Low Positive Emotionality (PEM) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies involves reinterpreting emotional events to lessen their impact?

Cognitive Reappraisal Signup and view all the answers

What role does self-efficacy play in the emotion regulation process?

It enhances the likelihood of using adaptive strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of low self-efficacy in emotional contexts?

Doubt in personal capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What negative consequence is often associated with habitual emotional suppression?

Faster cancer progression Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of self-efficacy refers to the belief in one's ability to achieve results across different life domains?

Context-Specific Signup and view all the answers

What kind of emotions are associated with the Ideal/Own vs. Ideal/Other discrepancy?

Shame and embarrassment Signup and view all the answers

What does verbal persuasion in the context of self-efficacy refer to?

Encouragement from credible individuals Signup and view all the answers

Which emotion regulation strategy focuses on suppressing outward emotional behavior without addressing the emotional experience?

Expressive Suppression Signup and view all the answers

What influence does high self-efficacy have on stressful situations?

Transforms stress into manageable challenges Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following emotions is likely to arise from feeling inadequate in meeting one's own goals?

Guilt Signup and view all the answers

What emotional response is typically caused by pressure from societal obligations one cannot fulfill?

Resentment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Motivated Cognition

Motivated cognition posits that motivations (wants and needs) influence how individuals perceive and process the world.
Motivations reveal aspects of personality, such as how people interpret situations and react to challenges.
Motivations shape preferences and biases, influencing beliefs, goal pursuit, and how failures are handled.
Implicit theories of intelligence (Dweck, 1999) illustrate this:
- Entity view: Intelligence is fixed; individuals may give up after failure.
- Incremental view: Intelligence grows with effort; individuals are more likely to persist after failure.

Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to succeed.
High self-efficacy fosters persistence, resilience, and problem-solving, converting stressful situations into controllable ones.
Low self-efficacy leads to focusing on risks, anxiety, and doubts about competence.
Sources of self-efficacy:
- Mastery experiences: Success builds self-efficacy; failure reduces it.
- Vicarious experiences: Observing others' successes inspires belief in one's own ability.
- Verbal persuasion: Encouragement from credible sources boosts confidence.
- Emotional arousal: Calmness and energy strengthen belief; anxiety weakens it.
Example: Iron Nun, Madonna Buder, a 94-year-old triathlete, exemplifies high self-efficacy.

Self-Discrepancy Theory

Higgins' Self-Discrepancy Theory (1987) focuses on comparisons between self-perceptions and standards (ideals and ought selves).
Domains of the Self:
- Ideal self: Desired self-image (hopes, aspirations).
- Ought self: Obligatory self-image (duties, responsibilities).
Standpoints on the Self:
- Own: Individuals' self-perception.
- Other: Others' perceived self-image or individual's perception of others' views.
Types of Self-Discrepancies:
- Actual vs. Ideal: Discrepancy leads to dejection-related emotions (sadness, discouragement).
- Actual vs. Ought: Discrepancy leads to agitation-related emotions (anxiety, fear, guilt).
Construct Availability/Accessibility: Relevant constructs influence thought and decision-making.
Types of self-discrepancies:
- Ideal discrepancies lead to dejection, linked to low positive emotionality.
- Ought discrepancies lead to agitation, linked to high negative emotionality.

Emotion Regulation and Self-Efficacy

Emotion regulation involves managing emotional experiences (Gross, 1998).
Emotion regulation difficulties are linked to psychological disorders (depression, anxiety).
Self-efficacy influences emotion regulation by shaping how individuals perceive and respond to emotional challenges.
Emotion regulation strategies:
- Cognitive reappraisal: Reinterpreting events to reduce emotional impact.
- Expressive suppression: Inhibiting emotional expression.
Adaptive strategies (reappraisal) are linked to lower neuroticism, higher extraversion/openness, and better health outcomes.
Maladaptive strategies (suppression, rumination) are linked to poorer mental and physical outcomes.
Neurofeedback training, targeting amygdala activity, can improve emotional regulation and PTSD symptoms according to Zweerings et al. (2020).

Developmental Trajectories

Dunedin Longitudinal Study (Caspi et al., 1995): Examined three personality groups (undercontrolled, inhibited, well-adjusted) at age 3 and followed their developmental paths.
Undercontrolled group predicted externalizing problems, impulsivity, low conscientiousness, and increased risk for antisocial behaviors.
Inhibited group predicted internalizing problems, depression, and lower social potency.
Well-adjusted group experienced higher conscientiousness, better social outcomes, and stronger social support.
Early interventions (e.g., Head Start, Perry Preschool programs) yielded positive long-term outcomes impacting educational attainment, economic stability, and social well-being.
Childhood adversity and social isolation can have long-lasting effects on brain development and mental health.

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Description

Explore the concepts of motivated cognition and self-efficacy in this quiz. Understand how motivations influence perception and personality while examining the role of self-efficacy in personal success and resilience. Test your knowledge on these essential psychological theories.