Emotions
A feeling of emotional withdrawal that comes from being overwhelmed rather than disinterest.
A. Apathy
B. Burnout
C. Dissociation
D. Avoidance
👉 Answer: B — Burnout
Explanation: Withdrawal due to exhaustion, not lack of care.
A student says, “I don’t care,” after getting a low grade, but they slam their notebook shut and stop participating.
What is most likely happening?
A. They truly don’t care
B. They are practicing mindfulness
C. They are masking disappointment or embarrassment
D. They are showing confidence
C. They are masking disappointment or embarrassment
Two kids whisper and laugh while glancing at another student across the room. The student notices and becomes quiet.
This is most likely an example of:
A. Healthy joking
B. Social exclusion / subtle bullying
C. Conflict resolution
D. Assertive communication
B. Social exclusion / subtle bullying
A student apologizes by saying, “I’m sorry I hurt you,” and acknowledges what they did.
This is best described as:
A. Deflection
B. Accountability
C. Minimization
D. Sympathy
👉 Answer: B — Accountability
Explanation: They are taking responsibility, not shifting blame or minimizing.
A student feels very close to a friend but becomes suspicious or worried when the friend gets closer to others.
A. Secure attachment
B. Anxious attachment
C. Avoidant attachment
D. Fearful-avoidant attachment
👉 Answer: B — Anxious attachment
Explanation: Sensitivity to perceived rejection or competitio
A feeling of discomfort when receiving positive attention or praise, often due to self-doubt.
A. Embarrassment
B. Shame
C. Imposter feelings
D. Anxiety
👉 Answer: C — Imposter feelings
Explanation: Discomfort tied to not feeling deserving.
After a Sarah told Lianne that they didn't like how they didn't share their toy with them the other day, Lianne responds with, “I guess I’m just a bad friend then,” after getting feedback. Which of the following is true?
A. Lianne is taking full responsibility
B. Lianne is trying to understand the feedback
C. Lianne is shifting the focus onto themselves instead of the issue
D. Lianne is calmly reflecting on their behavior
👉 Answer: C
Explanation: This pulls attention away from the feedback and can make the other person feel like they need to comfort them.
Your friend keeps interrupting you while you’re talking. Instead of snapping, you say, “Hey, I feel frustrated when I get cut off.”
This is an example of:
A. Passive communication
B. Aggressive communication
C. Assertive communication
D. Avoidance
C. Assertive communication
A student notices they are starting to feel irritated during a conversation and recognizes it before reacting.
This is best described as:
A. Self-control
B. Self-awareness
C. Emotional expression
D. Social awareness
👉 Answer: B — Self-awareness
Explanation: The key is recognizing the feeling. Self-control would be what they do next with it.
A 17-year-old was involved in a serious car accident three months ago. Since then, they report having vivid nightmares about the crash and sometimes feel like it is “happening again” when they hear screeching tires. They avoid riding in cars and refuse to talk about the event. Their family notes they are more irritable, easily startled, and have trouble sleeping.
👉 What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute stress disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Post-traumatic stress disorder
D. Panic disorder
👉 Answer: C — Post-traumatic stress disorder
Explanation:
Trauma exposure ✔️
Intrusive symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks) ✔️
Avoidance ✔️
Hyperarousal (irritability, startle) ✔️
Duration > 1 month = PTSD (not acute stress)
A feeling of being emotionally stuck in the past, often replaying events or wishing things had been different.
A. Nostalgia
B. Regret
C. Rumination
D. Grief
👉 Answer: C — Rumination
Explanation: Repetitive, unproductive mental looping.
During a group project, one student says, “It’s fine, we can do it your way,” but later makes small comments like “I mean, I had a different idea…” and seems disengaged.
A. They are agreeing but still thinking through their ideas
B. They are uncomfortable but not expressing it directly
C. They are trying to stay flexible for the group
D. They no longer care about the outcome
👉 Answer: B
Explanation: The indirect comments suggest unresolved feelings—they agreed outwardly but didn’t actually feel heard.
A student shares that they failed a test and feel really discouraged. Their friend immediately responds, “You just need to study more and manage your time better.”
A. The friend is giving helpful advice at the wrong time
B. The friend is ignoring the problem
C. The friend is being honest and direct
D. The friend is trying to change the subject
👉 Answer: A
Explanation: The advice may be useful, but skipping emotional validation can make the response feel unsupportive.
A student says, “That sounds really frustrating,” before offering advice.
This is best described as:
A. Validation
B. Agreement
C. Problem-solving
D. Conflict avoidance
👉 Answer: A — Validation
Explanation: They are acknowledging the emotion without necessarily agreeing or fixing it yet.
Someone says, “You’re overreacting, it’s not that serious,” after hurting someone’s feelings.
A. Emotional validation
B. Minimization
C. Empathy
D. Assertiveness
👉 Answer: B — Minimization
Explanation: Downplaying another person’s feelings.
A sudden, intense feeling of joy or excitement that may feel overwhelming or almost unreal.
A. Contentment
B. Euphoria
C. Relief
D. Satisfaction
👉 Answer: B — Euphoria
Explanation: More intense and elevated than typical happiness.
A student tells their friend, “It really bothered me when you didn’t show up to help with the project.”
The friend responds, “Well, you didn’t help me last month when I needed it, so I don’t see why you’re upset.”
A. Deflection
B. Projection
C. Minimization
D. Validation
👉 Answer: A — Deflection
Explanation: Instead of addressing the current issue (missing the project), the friend shifts attention to the other person’s past behavior. The focus moves away from their own actions.
A student notices they’re getting defensive during feedback but pauses and asks questions instead of reacting.
A. They are avoiding the situation
B. They are trying to stay in control of the conversation
C. They are managing their reaction and staying open
D. They are unsure how they feel
👉 Answer: C
Explanation: This shows awareness and self-control, which are key EI skills.
A student feels jealous that their friend got chosen for a team but says, “They’re probably jealous of me anyway—they just hide it better.”
A. Projection
B. Rationalization
C. Denial
D. Competition
👉 Answer: A — Projection
Explanation: The student is taking their own jealousy and assigning it to the friend.
A person gives someone excessive compliments or attention early in a relationship to quickly build trust and emotional dependence.
A. Love bombing
B. Validation
C. Secure attachment
D. Empathy
👉 Answer: A — Love bombing
Explanation: Intense affection used to gain influence.
A student gets a lower grade than expected on one test and immediately thinks, “I’m going to fail this class, I won’t get into college, and my future is basically ruined,” despite doing well overall.
A. Rumination
B. Catastrophizing
C. Minimization
D. Personalization
👉 Answer: B — Catastrophizing
Explanation: The student jumps from one setback to the worst possible chain of outcomes and treats it as likely.
A student is frustrated after failing a test but comes home and slams doors and argues with their parents about unrelated things.
A. Displacement
B. Denial
C. Projection
D. Avoidance
👉 Answer: A — Displacement
Explanation: Emotion about the test is redirected toward parents.
During feedback, a student feels defensive but pauses, takes a breath, and asks, “Can you give me an example so I can understand better?”
A. They are trying to stay polite
B. They are avoiding reacting emotionally
C. They are managing their reaction and staying open
D. They are unsure how to respond
👉 Answer: C
Explanation: They recognize their reaction and choose curiosity over defensiveness—strong self-regulation.
A teen feels guilty for lying but says, “Everyone lies—it’s not a big deal.”
A. Denial
B. Projection
C. Rationalization
D. Empathy
👉 Answer: C — Rationalization
Explanation: This is a trap—NOT projection. They are justifying their behavior, not assigning their feelings to others.
A person denies saying something hurtful even when others clearly remember it happening, making the other person question their memory.
A. Projection
B. Gaslighting
C. Deflection
D. Rationalization
👉 Answer: B — Gaslighting
Explanation: Causing someone to doubt their reality or memory.