Isaac Recently Experienced a Terrible Flood Which Destroyed His Home

question 164

Multiple Choice

Isaac recently experienced a terrible flood which destroyed his home. Isaac believes he would have died in the flood if his neighbour had not rescued him. According to terror management theory, how is Isaac likely to feel after this traumatic experience?

• A) He is likely to become quite depressed due to the terrifying event.
• B) He may feel very guilty if he knows he survived while others did not.
• C) He will experience higher than average self-esteem if he engages in meaningful activities.
• D) He will experience lower than average self-esteem because he had to be rescued by someone.

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Definitions:

Learned Helplessness

A condition in which a person suffers from a sense of powerlessness, arising from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed.

Behavioral Disengagement

A coping strategy involving reduction of effort or withdrawal from a task or situation.

Catharsis

The method of discharging and therefore delivering relief from powerful or stifled emotions.

Endocrine System

A network of glands in the body that produces and releases hormones into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions.