The final exam my class is taking right now. . .

A guest post by TikunOlam

So I figure, if DB can post silly quizzes for the bored folks out there, I can post the final exam that my students are taking right this very minute in my classroom. Who knows, maybe someone (in addition to Yoni) might find it interesting. Most, if not all of the answers can be found with a little online googling, others I give a start to below.

This course was modeled after a one being given by Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D. - an Israeli born Harvard professor currently teaching the most popular course in Harvard history. To learn more about him, his class and his work, see http://www.talbenshahar.com/.

And here is the final:

1. “Change is hard.”
Describe two research studies that we discussed in class that demonstrate this. What is meant by the “error of the average” and how does that relate to some of the premises of Positive Psychology that we have discussed throughout the semester?

2. What is a “Peak Experience?” Provide a real or fictitious example of a peak experience. According to Abraham Maslow, what are some of the consequences of having a “peak experience?”

3. What is the Ekman Facial Feature Hypothesis? What does this prove about the power of behavior over affect? What other research was discussed in class that also proves that behavior influences affect and/or cognition?

4. Name 4 types of “cognitive distortions” and provide their definitions. Please also provide examples of each of the four cognitive distortions.

5. What role has Journal Writing played in bettering people’s ability to cope? What were some of the recommendations made in class regarding guidelines for journal writing? How can journal writing result in increased insight?

For DB readers:

For #1 see: Twin research (Lykken & Tellegan, 1996) and The Cambridge-Somerville study
For #4 you can use this list of Cognitive Distortions

Best reading assignment for this class IMO:
Permission to be Human by Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D.