Synthetic Happiness and the Psychological Immune System

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What is synthetic happiness?

The happiness that arises from feeling content with what we have

The happiness derived from natural sources only

The happiness we get when we achieve what we want

The happiness we create when we fail to achieve what we want (correct)

How does the psychological immune system function according to the text?

It operates best when individuals are trapped in difficult situations (correct)

It prevents people from changing their views of the world

It helps in increasing natural happiness

It hinders the synthesis of happiness

Why is freedom considered the enemy of synthetic happiness?

Freedom prevents the synthesis of happiness when individuals are unable to change their minds (correct)

Freedom enables individuals to make choices that lead to natural happiness

Freedom allows individuals to find genuine happiness

Freedom restricts individuals from experiencing different future possibilities

What is natural happiness according to the text?

Happiness achieved when individuals get what they want Signup and view all the answers

How does impact bias affect affective forecasting?

It leads to an overestimation of future emotional responses Signup and view all the answers

What role does planning fallacy play in affective forecasting?

It causes individuals to underestimate the time and resources required for future endeavors Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to the phenomenon where individuals tend to overestimate the impact that certain life events will have on their happiness?

Affective forecasting Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the emotional recovery and resilience mechanism that enables individuals to bounce back from negative experiences?

Psychological immune system Signup and view all the answers

In Wilson, Gilbert, and colleagues' early work on affective forecasting, what did participants generally predict correctly in a simulated dating game?

Their future emotions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way that affective forecasting tends to impact our happiness according to the text?

Overestimation of happiness from significant life events Signup and view all the answers

Which bias refers to errors in predicting specific emotions or whether an individual will feel general happiness or sadness about a future event?

Impact bias Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the problems associated with the self-esteem movement in schools according to the text?

Making kids feel bad about themselves Signup and view all the answers

What is the planning fallacy?

Tendency to underestimate how long it will take to complete a task Signup and view all the answers

What is affective forecasting?

Predicting the emotional impact of an event Signup and view all the answers

What is the psychological immune system?

A system that helps individuals adapt to negative events Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes impact bias?

Overestimating the impact of an event on one's emotions Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes synthetic happiness?

"Manufactured" happiness that can result from changing one's perspective Signup and view all the answers

In affective forecasting, what does the term 'simulator' refer to?

The cognitive mechanism that predicts how one will feel in hypothetical situations Signup and view all the answers