Personal Psychology 2: Living In A Complex World

UNIT 3

Critical Thinking Questions

Please complete the following questions. Use a word processor to complete your work. Remember to use complete sentences and include both the questions and answers when you submit your work.

Submit your work as a file attachment using the dropbox.

The answers to the Critical Thinking Questions are worth 10 points.

1. Describe a decision that you’ve had to make. Psychologists argue that we often factor in utility (see Unit 3 lesson 3) and the probability of the options happening. Did you use these factors in your decision?
2. Artificial intelligence or AI is becoming a more common idea in society (as well as in films and television). Do you think that computers will be able to think like humans in the next ten years? Why or why not? Do you think that AI is beneficial for society?

1. Psychologists have used a number of different definitions and approaches for intelligence. What do you think intelligence is? Is there an approach to understanding intelligence that you feel best explains intelligence?
2. Intelligence tests are often seen as a predictor of future success. Do you think that this is accurate? Should intelligence scores be used to place children into different school programs?
3. Some psychologists argue that emotional intelligence (or intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence) is one part of overall intelligence. Do you agree or disagree with this stance? Why or why not?
4. The role of heredity and environment has been a controversial one in the study of intelligence. Do you think that heredity or environment plays a greater role in the development of intelligence? Why?
5. Scholars have argued that intelligence is multifaceted or made up of many different aspects. Given this, do you think that IQ tests really measure intelligence? Why do you think IQ tests are used in so many situations?

6.Stress affects everyone’s life. What are some of the stressors in your life and what coping mechanisms do you use to manage the stress?

7.The General Adaptation Syndrome describes what individuals experience during stressful times. Describe a time where you encountered these three stages. Do you think you were at a greater risk for illness during particular stages?

8.Choose one of the types of conflicts and describe a situation where you faced this conflict. Explain why the situation fits the type of conflict.

9.Why do you think the way that a person deals with stress is so important? What can happen if someone doesn’t cope with stress?

10.Do you agree or disagree that adolescence is the age group that experiences stress most frequently? Why do you think this is or why do you think another group experiences more?

11.Stress affects everyone’s life. What are some of the stressors in your life and what coping mechanisms do you use to manage the stress?

12.The General Adaptation Syndrome describes what individuals experience during stressful times. Describe a time where you encountered these three stages. Do you think you were at a greater risk for illness during particular stages?

13.why the situation fits the type of conflict.Choose one of the types of conflicts and describe a situation where you faced this conflict. Explain

14.Why do you think the way that a person deals with stress is so important? What can happen if someone doesn’t cope with stress?

15.Why do you think this is or why do you think another group experiences more?

16.Psychologists have examined whether personality remains consistent throughout our lives. Do you think that your personality is consistent, dependent on the situation, or inconsistent? Why? Do you think that the pattern in your personality is the same for other people?

18.Describe the three parts of Freud’s structural model. Use an example from your own life to illustrate how these three parts work. Do you think that Freud is right that we have these three parts of our personality in conflict with each other?

19.Do you think that personality is a result of genetics, learning, culture, or another factor? Why?

20.Do you think that personality tests like the Rorschach or the Myers-Briggs tests are accurate in predicting or capturing personality? Why or why not? Have you taken a personality test? Do you think that the results were accurate?

21.How would you describe your personality? How would you rate yourself on the Big Five Factors from the Five Factor Model?