Question

question 1 of 10
joanne had always had great birthday parties, so she was excited for her 18th birthday. however, when the day came, she was disappointed. this illustrates the:

a. hierarchy of needs.

b. esteem need theory.

c. relative deprivation theory.

d. adaptation - level principle.

Explanation:

The adaptation - level principle states that people's judgments of a situation (like how good a birthday party is) are relative to their past experiences or a certain adaptation level. Joanne had great past birthday parties, so her adaptation level for what a “good” birthday party is was high. When her 18th birthday party didn't meet that high adaptation level, she was disappointed.

• Option A: Hierarchy of needs (Maslow's) is about a pyramid of needs (physiological, safety, etc.) and doesn't relate to comparing current experiences to past ones in this way.
• Option B: Esteem need theory is about the need for self - esteem and respect from others, not about comparing experiences.
• Option C: Relative deprivation theory is about feeling deprived when compared to others, not to one's own past experiences.

Answer:

D. adaptation - level principle