Psychology Exam Questions and
Answers
Loss Aversion - ANSWER-In situations involving possible risk, people prefer avoiding
losses to obtaining gains.
Process Consultation - ANSWER-This is a helping relationship in which the consultant
works with, not for, the client. The consultant addresses communication, decision-
making, interpersonal relations, and takes performance. Consultant does not give
expert advice or solve problems. Instead, she assists client with solving their problem.
Acquired Needs Theory - ANSWER-Researched by David McClelland. Three factors
motivate managers and workers, Need for Achievement, or nAch; Need for Power, and
Need for Affiliation.
Key Elements of Motivation - ANSWER-1. Valence - Are the possible outcomes of any
value to me? 2. Instrumentality - The belief that efforts will matter. When instrumentality
decreases, so does job performance. 3. Expectancy - Used to determine whether
increased effort will result in successful performance / expected outcomes.
Goal-Setting Theory - ANSWER-Researched by Locke. Setting specific goals motivates
people and enhances performance. Acceptance of the goals by the employee is key.
They are more likely to accept goals if they participate in the goal-setting process.
Feedback enhances the effectiveness of goal setting, true or false? - ANSWER-True.
Type-A Personality - ANSWER-Hostility, aggression, cynicism, competitiveness,
defensiveness, cheating behaviors. Increased arousal for this type of individual, when
deprived of work. Social support is a source of mental stress.
Type-B Personality - ANSWER-Relaxed, easy-going
Time-Based Work-family Conflict - ANSWER-Role pressures from two different domains
compete for individual's time.
Strain-Based Work-family Conflict - ANSWER-When strain from one role affects
performance of another.
Behaviorally-based Work-family Conflict - ANSWER-Conflict due to incompatible
behaviors between two competing roles.