Skill: Application
130. Jordan’s lover of four years just left him. He is hurt, angry, and confused, and says to himself, “He never did understand my need for independence.” This explanation for the break-up best reflects which human motive?
a. protecting one’s self-esteem
b. sacrificing happiness in the interest of accuracy
c. deserting reality under stress
d. justifying our suffering
Answer: A
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 13
Topic: Where Construals Come From: Basic Human Motives
Skill: Application
131. Rashim is viewed by most people he knows as rude, brusque, and completely unconcerned with other people’s feelings. He, in contrast, describes himself as efficient and task-oriented. Rahim’s self-description best reflects the motive to
a. justify our failed efforts.
b. justify our past behavior.
c. perceive the world accurately.
d. succeed at any cost.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 13
Topic: Where Construals Come From: Basic Human Motives
Skill: Application
132. Which of the following is not a likely consequence of the human tendency to prefer self-justifying information to accurate information?
a. People maintain their level of self-esteem.
b. People become less likely to learn from their experiences.
c. People may make faulty decisions about future behavior.
d. People gain feedback that makes for better decisions.
Answer: D
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 13
Topic: Where Construals Come From: Basic Human Motives
Skill: Application
133. What is one likely, undesirable consequence of foregoing accuracy in favor of justifying our past behaviors? Justifying past behavior can
a. decrease the probability of learning from past experiences.
b. cause us to totally distort reality.
c. decrease our self-esteem.
d. decrease our self-confidence in social situations.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 13