Emotional Intelligence (Happiness) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which psychological concept describes the tendency for major life events to have only a temporary effect on overall happiness levels?
- Hedonic adaptation (Correct answer)
- Positive reinforcement
- Emotional contagion
- Cognitive dissonance
Correct answer: Hedonic adaptation
Hedonic adaptation (also called the hedonic treadmill) describes how people quickly return to a baseline level of happiness after positive or negative events.
Question 2: A person volunteers regularly at a food bank despite a busy schedule. According to research on happiness, this behavior most likely:
- Depletes emotional resources over time
- Increases the volunteer's own sense of well-being (Correct answer)
- Has no measurable effect on personal happiness
- Only benefits the recipients of help
Correct answer: Increases the volunteer's own sense of well-being
Research consistently shows that prosocial behavior and acts of giving increase the giver's own happiness and well-being.
Question 3: Which component of happiness refers to an overall cognitive evaluation of one's life as going well?
- Positive affect
- Life satisfaction (Correct answer)
- Flow state
- Eudaimonia
Correct answer: Life satisfaction
Life satisfaction is the cognitive appraisal component of subjective well-being, distinct from emotional (affective) components.
Question 4: Marcus feels deeply fulfilled when using his artistic talents to create meaningful work, even when it's challenging. This type of happiness is best described as:
- Hedonic happiness
- Eudaimonic happiness (Correct answer)
- Transient pleasure
- Emotional suppression
Correct answer: Eudaimonic happiness
Eudaimonic happiness comes from living a life of meaning, purpose, and virtue — often through using one's strengths — rather than simply seeking pleasure.
Question 5: Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'flow' as related to happiness?
- Feeling relaxed while watching television
- Being completely absorbed in a challenging task that matches one's skill level (Correct answer)
- Daydreaming about future goals
- Experiencing a sudden rush of excitement
Correct answer: Being completely absorbed in a challenging task that matches one's skill level
Flow, coined by Csikszentmihalyi, is a state of complete absorption in a moderately challenging activity that matches one's skill level.
Question 6: Research suggests that social relationships contribute to happiness primarily because they:
- Reduce the need for self-reflection
- Provide financial security and stability
- Fulfill basic psychological needs for belonging and connection (Correct answer)
- Distract people from negative emotions
Correct answer: Fulfill basic psychological needs for belonging and connection
Strong social relationships fulfill fundamental psychological needs for belonging, connection, and support, which are core drivers of happiness.
Question 7: A therapist helps a client identify and challenge the belief that 'I can only be happy when everything in my life is perfect.' This intervention targets which barrier to happiness?
- Low emotional intelligence
- All-or-nothing thinking (Correct answer)
- Avoidance coping
- Emotional suppression
Correct answer: All-or-nothing thinking
All-or-nothing (black-and-white) thinking is a cognitive distortion that prevents happiness by setting impossible perfectionistic standards.
