Free Printable Positive Psychology Exam

1.

What is the main focus of positive psychology?

a)

(A) Diagnosing mental illnesses

b)

(B) Understanding human strengths and well-being

c)

(C) Studying the unconscious mind

d)

(D) Analyzing dysfunctional behaviors

2.

Who is one of the founding figures of positive psychology and a leading researcher in the field?

a)

(A) John Watson

b)

(B) Sigmund Freud

c)

(C) Carl Rogers

d)

(D) Martin Seligman

3.

According to positive psychology research, what is the general relationship between a person's income and their level of happiness?

a)

(A) Happiness increases significantly with each rise in income, without any upper limit

b)

(B) There is no correlation between income and happiness at any level.

c)

(C) Additional income increases happiness up to a threshold where basic needs are met, after which its impact is minimal

d)

(D) As income increases, happiness levels tend to decrease due to added stress and responsibility

4.

How does positive psychology view the relationship between success and happiness?

a)

(A) Success is the most important factor and is a direct cause of lasting happiness.

b)

(B) Success and happiness are unrelated and do not influence one another.

c)

(C) Happiness often precedes success, as a positive mindset can improve performance and resilience.

d)

(D) Pursuing success is the same as pursuing pleasure, which is the key to happiness.

5.

Positive psychology research challenges the idea that happiness is the absence of negative emotions. Why?

a)

(A) Because negative emotions can be used to motivate positive action and change

b)

(B) Because it is impossible for humans to ever stop feeling negative emotions.

c)

(C) Because people have a psychological 'set point' they always return to.

d)

(D) Because seeking pleasure and avoiding discomfort leads to lasting happiness.

6.

According to Positive Psychology research which factor has the largest influence on a person's level of happiness?

a)

(A) Your actions

b)

(B) Income and material possessions

c)

(C) Genetics

d)

(D) Life circumstances.

7.

What concept captures the positive mental state of being completely absorbed and engaged in an activity?

a)

(A) Consciousness

b)

(B) Mindfulness

c)

(C) Flow

d)

(D) Contentment

8.

What is the primary benefit of achieving the Flow state?

a)

(A) Increased stress levels

b)

(B) Reduced performance

c)

(C) Enhanced performance and engagement

d)

(D) Lowered motivation

9.

What does practicing mindfulness involve?

a)

(A) Overthinking and analyzing the past

b)

(B) Non-judgmental acknowledgment of thoughts and feelings

c)

(C) Ignoring one's thoughts and emotions

d)

(D) Focusing solely on the destination, not the journey

10.

How does savoring relate to well-being?

a)

(A) It diminishes positive emotions

b)

(B) It has no impact on well-being

c)

(C) It leads to boredom

d)

(D) It intensifies and prolongs positive emotions

11.

What does the practice of gratitude involve?

a)

(A) Focusing on what one lacks

b)

(B) Recognizing and appreciating what one has received

c)

(C) Suppressing positive emotions

d)

(D) Criticizing oneself for being ungrateful

12.

What is the relationship between kindness and happiness?

a)

(A) Unhappy people are more likely to engage in kind acts

b)

(B) Happier people are more motivated to perform kind acts

c)

(C) There is no relationship between kindness and happiness

d)

(D) Kindness only benefits the recipients, not the doers

13.

How does social connection influence physical health and well-being?

a)

(A) It strengthens the immune system and improves overall well-being

b)

(B) It leads to obesity

c)

(C) It has no effect on health

d)

(D) It is detrimental to health

14.

What is the primary focus of resilience in psychology?

a)

(A) Avoiding challenges and adversity

b)

(B) Remaining overwhelmed by difficult experiences

c)

(C) Bouncing back from negative emotional experiences and adapting to stress

d)

(D) Maintaining a state of constant happiness and joy

15.

The 'Resilience 101' article suggests using a 'behavioral break' to stop negative thought cycles. Which action best exemplifies this technique?

a)

(A) Dropping everything to go for a five-minute run or practice deep breathing

b)

(B) Analyzing the negative thoughts until you understand their origin

c)

(C) Telling yourself to strop thinking negatively and focus on positive aspects

d)

(D) Writing down all your negative feelings in a journal to process them.

16.

According to class, the 'helper's high' phenomenon is primarily caused by:

a)

(A) A decrease in aches and pains from volunteering

b)

(B) The production of oxytocin, the 'love hormone'.

c)

(C) The stimulation of serotonin, a feel-good chemical

d)

(D) Activation of the brain's pleasure and reward centers.

17.

Which activity is most likely to trigger the Flow state?

a)

(A) Engaging in a task that is too easy

b)

(B) Pursuing a challenging activity that aligns with your skills

c)

(C) Focusing on external distractions

d)

(D) Avoiding tasks you love

18.

What is the term for the practice of stepping outside an experience to review and appreciate it?

a)

(A) Mindfulness

b)

(B) Savoring

c)

(C) Gratitude

d)

(D) Altruism

19.

What practice stops mind-wandering and is associated with increased happiness?

a)

(A) Daydreaming

b)

(B) Meditation

c)

(C) Excessive self-criticism

d)

(D) Avoiding self-reflection

20.

Why is knowing and using one's signature strengths important in positive psychology?

a)

(A) It helps you conform to societal expectations

b)

(B) It increases personal weaknesses

c)

(C) It encourages self-doubt and self-criticism

d)

(D) It leads to higher self-confidence and productivity

21.

Which of the following is a recommended strategy for building resilience according to positive psychology?

a)

(C) Ignoring negative emotions

b)

(A) Avoiding all stressful situations

c)

(D) Focusing only on personal weaknesses

d)

(B) Seeking social support and learning from setbacks

22.

What is a key characteristic of the Flow state?

a)

(A) Feeling bored and distracted

b)

(D) Focusing on multiple tasks at once

c)

(C) Experiencing constant anxiety

d)

(B) Losing track of time due to deep engagement

23.

Which practice is most closely associated with increasing gratitude and well-being?

a)

(C) Comparing oneself to others

b)

(B) Criticizing oneself for mistakes

c)

(A) Keeping a daily gratitude journal

d)

(D) Ignoring positive experiences

24.

Which of the following best describes the impact of practicing kindness on well-being?

a)

(C) It leads to increased stress

b)

(D) It has no measurable effect

c)

(B) It increases both happiness and social connection

d)

(A) It only benefits others, not oneself

25.

What is a recommended way to cultivate mindfulness in daily life?

a)

(D) Focusing only on future goals

b)

(B) Paying close attention to the present moment without judgment

c)

(C) Ignoring your thoughts and feelings

d)

(A) Multitasking while distracted

26.

Which strategy is most effective for enhancing resilience according to positive psychology?

a)

(D) Avoiding all challenges

b)

(C) Dwelling on negative experiences

c)

(B) Practicing gratitude and seeking support from others

d)

(A) Isolating oneself during difficult times

27.

Which of the following is a common outcome of regularly practicing gratitude?

a)

(D) Reduced motivation to achieve goals

b)

(B) Greater overall life satisfaction

c)

(A) Increased feelings of envy

d)

(C) Decreased social connections

28.

According to positive psychology, which activity is most effective for boosting happiness in the long term?

a)

(D) Focusing only on personal weaknesses

b)

(C) Avoiding all challenges

c)

(B) Practicing acts of kindness regularly

d)

(A) Accumulating material possessions

Positive Psychology Exam

Total questions: 28

Worksheet time: 14mins

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