Deck 8: Identity

Question 1

Which of the following is a reason that "identity development" is an adolescent issue?

A) An identity crisis occurs during adolescence.
B) A sense of identity emerges for the first time during adolescence.
C) Identity development is one of the inevitable changes of puberty.
D) Changes take place during adolescence that cause young people to change how they view and feel about themselves.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Researchers are particularly interested in the identity changes that occur in adolescence for all of the following reasons, except:

A) this is the first substantial reorganization and restructuring of the sense of self at a time when an individual can fully appreciate the significance of the changes.
B) the physical changes of puberty may prompt fluctuations in self-image.
C) adolescents are capable of thinking in systematic ways about hypothetical and future events.
D) adolescents are now capable of thinking in concrete terms about who they are and where they are going.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following is one of the characteristics that distinguish between the adolescent's and the child's self-concept?

A) Adolescents tend to view the self as involving more dimensions than do children.
B) Adolescents distinguish among actual, ideal, and feared selves.
C) The adolescent's self varies over time and across situations.
D) All of these are correct.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

When the author of the textbook, Laurence Steinberg, says that "Some researchers have argued that the question of whether self-esteem is stable during adolescence is a poor one," what does he mean?

A) Researchers have argued that asking whether self-esteem is stable is a poor question because it is impossible to measure self-esteem, let alone measure whether it changes during adolescence.
B) Researchers have argued that asking whether self-esteem is stable is a poor question because self-esteem does not change across development; self-esteem is one of the most stable traits.
C) Researchers have argued that asking whether self-esteem is stable is a poor question because group averages often hide substantial differences between people.
D) Researchers have argued that asking whether self-esteem is stable is poor because the answer is incredibly obvious
And, as a result, it does not deserve any more scientific research.

Question 5

Which of the following adolescents is least likely to engage in false-self behavior?

A) Kassim, who has low self-esteem
B) Emily, who has high support from her parents and peers
C) Joy, who has problems with depression
D) Eddie, who has a sense of hopelessness

Question 6

Maria describes herself as an only child, as a person who likes art and music, who is shy, and who likes to read. Maria's description fits best with the idea of:

A) self-conception.
B) self-esteem.
C) self-attribution.
D) self-control.

Question 7

As adolescents develop, their self-conceptions become more:

A) negative.
B) optimistic.
C) disorganized.
D) differentiated.

Question 8

Adolescents are most likely to behave __________ in romantic situations and with a classmate, and they are least likely to engage in ___________ behavior with close friends.

A) authentically; inauthentic
B) authentically; authentic
C) inauthentically; false-self
D) inauthentically; true-self

Question 9

Kikko strongly dislikes country music but told Keith, who is a big Garth Brooks fan and her latest love interest, that country music is her favorite and that she would love to go with him to see Garth in concert. This type of behavior is called:

A) the negative identity.
B) code switching.
C) identity confusion.
D) the false-self.

Question 10

Identity formation is best seen as a:

A) series of interrelated developments.
B) single developmental issue.
C) discrete quantitative switch.
D) movement into a new and different person.

Question 11

An important aspect of having a healthy self-concept and more socially appropriate behavior is to be able to balance one's ______ self with one's ______ self.

A) actual; ideal
B) actual; feared
C) ideal; feared
D) ideal; other

Question 12

Someone who is more likely to engage in excessive false-self behavior is most likely:

A) to report less emotional support from parents and peers.
B) to have lower self-esteem.
C) to report depressive symptoms.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 13

Adolescents who have more complex self-conceptions are less likely:

A) to be depressed.
B) to achieve more in school.
C) to have lots of friends.
D) to be foreclosed.

Question 14

When asked to describe himself, Aaron stated, "Most of my friends think I don't care about school, but I really study a lot at night because school is important to me." This is an example of how adolescent self-conceptions become more:

A) detailed.
B) logical.
C) differentiated.
D) intensified.

Question 15

Amy, a 16-year-old girl, is shy around boys though she would really like to be more outgoing. This reflects:

A) the drive toward positive self-esteem.
B) the discrepancy between her ideal and actual selves.
C) a false sense of self-concept.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about self-conception is most likely to be made by a child rather than by an adolescent?

A) "I am a complicated person."
B) "Most people think I'm very secure, but really I'm pretty shy."
C) "I am a girl; I have two brothers; I like to read."
D) "I am honest; I am helpful; I am friendly."

Question 17

Researchers have identified all of the following factors as critical components of the development of identity during adolescence, except:

A) self-esteem.
B) sense of identity.
C) self-conception.
D) self-regulation.

Question 18

Adolescents are most likely to exhibit false-self behavior with their:

A) friends.
B) parents.
C) dates.
D) siblings.

Question 19

Adolescents improve their ability and tendency to consider the long-term consequences of their decisions, which is one aspect of:

A) imagining their possible selves.
B) future orientation.
C) self-concept.
D) identity formation.

Question 20

Gwen has recently been preoccupied with trying to understand what kind of person she is. As an exercise, she writes out a list of 20 traits that she thinks best describe her. According to the text, Gwen is focusing on her:

A) identity.
B) self-conception.
C) self-esteem.
D) socialization.

Question 21

Based on findings from research studies, compared to older adolescents (15 years and older) and preadolescents (8- to 11-year-olds), which of the following statements about young adolescents' self-esteem, self-consciousness, and self-image is false?

A) Early adolescents experience a sharp increase in self-esteem.
B) Early adolescents have lower self-esteem.
C) Early adolescents are more self-conscious.
D) Early adolescents have a more unstable self-image.

Question 22

Which of the following is not a reason that early adolescents might experience fluctuations in self-image?

A) egocentrism
B) they are learning that it is not always possible to tell what people are thinking on the basis of how they act or what they say
C) because of the increased importance of peers in early adolescence
D) because early adolescents spend most of their time engaging in false-self behavior

Question 23

According to the textbook, young adolescents with __________ also report high levels of anxiety, tension, and adjustment problems.

A) a volatile self-image
B) an aggressive parent
C) extremely low self-esteem
D) very few close peers

Question 24

During childhood, Cathy had relatively high self-esteem. As she enters adolescence, Cathy's self-esteem is most likely to:

A) increase.
B) be relatively the same.
C) remain the same or decrease.
D) decrease.

Question 25

Alice has high academic self-esteem, whereas Loriann has high physical appearance self-esteem. According to the textbook, who will probably have higher overall self-esteem?

A) Loriann
B) Alice
C) Loriann and Alice will most likely have equally high self-esteem.
D) There is not enough information to answer this question.

Question 26

According to personality research presented in the textbook, there is evidence that, between adolescence and young adulthood, individuals become:

A) more extraverted and less conscientious.
B) less extraverted and more agreeable.
C) more emotionally stable and more extraverted.
D) less agreeable and more emotionally stable.

Question 27

According to the textbook, which of the following might make individuals especially vulnerable to the effects of stress?

A) volatile self-image
B) low sense of self-worth
C) egocentrism
D) impression management

Question 28

Which of the following factors is the most important predictor of overall self-esteem?

A) athletic ability
B) academic ability
C) physical appearance self-esteem
D) moral conduct

Question 29

Mei was an impulsive preschooler. It is likely that, as an adolescent, she will be:

A) impulsive.
B) shy.
C) anxious.
D) well-adjusted.

Question 30

Findings from research studies have found that the most marked fluctuations in self-image occur:

A) during the transition into adolescence.
B) during middle adolescence.
C) over the course of adolescence.
D) during the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Question 31

How positively or negatively people feel about themselves defines:

A) self-regulation.
B) self-esteem.
C) self-attribution.
D) self-idealization.

Question 32

Rose is transitioning from elementary into junior high school and Sally will be starting her senior year of high school in the fall. According to research presented in the textbook, who is more likely to experience disruptions in self-esteem?

A) Rose
B) Sally
C) Rose and Sally are equally likely to experience disruptions in self-esteem.
D) Neither Sally nor Rose is likely to experience disruptions in self-esteem.

Question 33

Sean is an adolescent who frequently engages in false-self behavior and also has low self-esteem. One explanation for these two characteristics is that:

A) Sean might be low in self-esteem because he knowingly puts on a false front.
B) Sean might engage in false-self behavior because he is low in self-esteem.
C) There is no relation between false-self behavior and low self-esteem.
D) Sean might be low in self-esteem because he knowingly puts on a false front or he might engage in false-self behavior because he is low in self-esteem.

Question 34

Which of the following is not one of the personality dimensions of the Five-Factor Model?

A) Neuroticism
B) Openness to Experience
C) Agreeableness
D) Gender Intensification

Question 35

Temperament and personality tend to become _________ as we __________.

A) stable; take more classes
B) unstable; get older
C) more stable; get older
D) unstable; take more classes

Question 36

How much do people's personalities differ before and after adolescence?

A) They are much different.
B) There are a few major changes.
C) They remain about the same.
D) It's different for everyone.

Question 37

Which dimension of the Five-Factor Model measures how organized someone is?

A) Extroversion
B) Agreeableness
C) Neuroticism
D) Conscientiousness

Question 38

Dewayne's parents are worried that as he enters adolescence, his self-esteem will greatly decrease. During what time should Dewayne's parents expect the most fluctuations in his self-image?

A) when he is 8-11 years old
B) when he is 12-14 years old
C) when he is 15-18 years old
D) when he is 19-21 years old

Question 39

What does the Five-Factor Model describe?

A) research methodology
B) personality dimensions
C) false-self behavior
D) self-esteem dimensions

Question 40

According to the chapter in the textbook, most researchers today believe that adolescents evaluate themselves:

A) globally.
B) along several distinct dimensions.
C) in constant comparison to their peers and their ideal self.
D) both globally and along several distinct dimensions.

Question 41

Which of the following adolescent's global self-esteem is most likely affected by his or her academic success?

A) John, a White adolescent
B) Mary, an Asian-American adolescent
C) Justin, a Mexican-American adolescent
D) Virginia, a Black adolescent

Question 42

According to Erikson, the major crisis of adolescence is called:

A) basic trust versus mistrust.
B) autonomy versus shame and doubt.
C) industry versus inferiority.
D) identity versus identity diffusion.

Question 43

According to the textbook, which of the following is not generally a predictor of self-esteem?

A) academic achievement
B) parental love
C) supportive friends
D) religious affiliation

Question 44

Susan, a White adolescent, is more likely to be vulnerable to disturbances in ________ than any other group of youngsters.

A) self-concept
B) self-image
C) false-self behavior
D) family relationships

Question 45

Which of the following is not one of the explanations researchers have presented to answer the question, "Given the prevalence of prejudice in American society and the generally disadvantaged position of Blacks, why do Black adolescents have high self-esteem?"

A) Black teenagers benefit from the support and positive feedback of adults in their communities.
B) Blacks have learned not to recognize the extent to which American society discriminates against them.
C) Adolescents protect their self-esteem by focusing on areas of strength instead of areas of weakness.
D) A strong sense of ethnic identity among Black adolescents enhances their self-esteem.

Question 46

Research has shown that ethnic socialization that results in having positive attitudes about one's ethnic group is associated with:

A) having negative attitudes about other ethnic groups.
B) faster identity development among adolescents.
C) problematic interracial relations.
D) positive attitudes about other ethnic groups.

Question 47

Which of the following statements about self-esteem in children is true?

A) Having high self-esteem boosts scholastic achievement.
B) High achievement in school boosts self-esteem.
C) High achievement in school and high self-esteem are spuriously related.
D) The direction of the effect between high achievement in school and high self-esteem is bidirectional.

Question 48

Racial socialization, the process by which parents teach children about their ethnic identity and the experiences they may encounter within society as a result of this identity, is thought to focus on three major themes. Which of the following is not one of these themes?

A) getting along in mainstream society
B) dealing with racism
C) intolerance of the majority culture
D) understanding one's own culture

Question 49

Erik Erikson believed that ________ is the primary psychosocial crisis of adolescence.

A) balancing a sense of trust with a sense of mistrust
B) developing a sense of autonomy and the ability to do things for oneself
C) establishing a coherent sense of identity
D) developing intimate personal relationships

Question 50

Among multiethnic adolescents asked to describe their own ethnic identity, those with one Black parent and one non-Black parent are more likely to:

A) identify themselves as a member of the non-Black parent's ethnic group.
B) identify themselves as Black.
C) refuse to answer questions about their own ethnic identity.
D) identify themselves as half-Black.

Question 51

According to the textbook, research indicates which of the following is not a correlate of high self-esteem?

A) approval of parents
B) approval of peers
C) succeeding in school
D) involvement in many extracurricular activities

Question 52

Involvement in delinquent activity may lead to ________ in self-esteem, perhaps because involvement in delinquency _____.

A) an increase; earns teenagers approval from certain peers
B) a decrease; leads to social isolation
C) stability; has no effect on an adolescent's self-image
D) sudden fluctuations; is dynamic and unpredictable

Question 53

Studies of ethnic identity development have shown that, relative to ethnic minorities, White adolescents are more likely to:

A) identify their specific heritage (e.g., German, Irish).
B) have a stronger sense of ethnic identity.
C) avoid using "panethnic" labels to describe themselves.
D) identify themselves as "American" rather than a specific heritage label.

Question 54

Adolescents whose parents are not both from the same ethnic or racial group are known as ________ adolescents.

A) multilingual
B) culture brokering
C) maternal-race
D) multiethnic

Question 55

Which adolescent is most vulnerable to disturbances in self-image?

A) Carol, a 13-year-old female
B) Catherine, an 18-year-old female
C) Carl, a 13-year-old male
D) Carlton, an 18-year-old male

Question 56

Overall, which group of adolescents feels least positive about themselves?

A) White females
B) White males
C) Black females
D) Black males

Question 57

According to the textbook, because _____ girls do not feel as _____ about their appearances as girls of other racial backgrounds, these individuals typically have _____ overall self-esteem.

A) White; negatively; higher
B) White; insecure; lower
C) Black; negatively; higher
D) Black; positively; lower

Question 58

Tony and Jeff, both Black adolescents, attend different schools. Tony attends a school where his ethnic group is in the majority and Jeff attends a predominately White school. What do studies predict about Tony and/or Jeff's self-perception?

A) Tony will have fewer self-image problems than Jeff.
B) Tony will have more self-image problems than Jeff.
C) Both Tony and Jeff will have high self-esteem.
D) Both Tony and Jeff will have low self-esteem.

Question 59

Although research presented in the textbook indicates that physical appearance self-esteem is the best predictor of adolescents' overall self-esteem:

A) adolescents, when asked, say that their physical appearance is one of the least important contributors to how they feel about themselves.
B) adolescents may be unaware of the degree to which their self-worth is based on their feelings about their appearance.
C) young girls appear to be more concerned than boys about physical attractiveness and physical appearance self-esteem is a more important influence on overall self-esteem among girls than among boys.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 60

Which of the following statements regarding sex differences in self-perceptions is accurate?

A) Early adolescent girls' self-esteem is higher than same-age boys.
B) Early adolescent girls have lower self-consciousness than same-age boys.
C) Early adolescent boys have a shakier self-image than same-age girls.
D) Early adolescent girls are more likely to say negative things about themselves than same-aged boys.

Question 61

Problems in identity development can result when:

A) earlier crises have not been resolved.
B) an adolescent's environment does not allow for a period of foreclosure.
C) the adolescent has to endure a period moratorium.
D) the adolescent has not yet experienced the crisis of generativity.

Question 62

The key to resolving the crisis of identity versus identity diffusion, according to Erikson, is:

A) identity achievement.
B) family relationships.
C) interactions with others.
D) peer relationships.

Question 63

Which adolescent would be expected to have the greatest difficulty establishing a sense of identity?

A) Michael, who has many alternatives available to him in many different arenas
B) Melvin, who has a moderate number of alternatives available to him in a few different arenas
C) Jay, who has few alternatives available to him and is expected to follow in his father's footsteps
D) All of these adolescents are likely to have difficulty establishing a sense of identity.

Question 64

Dr. Mullins argues that adolescence is such a demanding time that adolescents need several years with as few responsibilities as possible so they can sort out their identities. His argument focuses on the need for a period of:

A) individuation.
B) separation.
C) crystallization.
D) psychosocial moratorium.

Question 65

What is the best way to conceptualize movement through the four identity states?

A) Progression proceeds through a preconceived, orderly sequence.
B) Individuals move from state to state, and not necessarily in an orderly fashion.
C) Conflicts in each state must be satisfied before moving to next state.
D) Each state has developmental tasks that need to be solved, and failure to successfully navigate a state will halt development.

Question 66

Generalizing from Marcia's research on identity, who is most likely to become an authoritarian parent and have the highest need for social approval?

A) Sanjay, identity achieved
B) Ann, identity diffusion
C) Michele, psychosocial moratorium
D) Tara, identity foreclosed

Question 67

Bruce, a second-year college student, has switched majors three times. He is still undecided about what he wants to do with his life. Bruce is in:

A) a state of psychological confusion.
B) a period of crystallization.
C) a state of deindividuation.
D) a state of psychosocial moratorium.

Question 68

According to Erikson, a necessary "time-out" for adolescents is called:

A) psychosocial moratorium.
B) a period of crystallization.
C) deindividuation.
D) a period of separation.

Question 69

Sixteen-year-old Geneva believes that the death penalty is wrong because her parents, friends, and church say so. She has never really thought about the issue, but has accepted this view as her own. This pattern of following what her parents and peers say and do is pervasive throughout most of her beliefs and behaviors. Which identity state do you think Geneva is in?

A) achievement
B) foreclosure
C) diffusion
D) moratorium

Question 70

James has flunked out of high school, has severed all of his ties with family and friends, and has no sense of where he is headed. He also seems to have significant disruptions in his sense of time (some things seem to happen much faster than they really do). According to Erikson, James is experiencing:

A) identity diffusion.
B) negative identity.
C) identity foreclosure.
D) psychosocial moratorium.

Question 71

Generally speaking, the parenting style that is associated with the healthiest identity development is:

A) warm but not excessively constraining.
B) the absence of parental warmth.
C) the absence of parental encouragement of individuality.
D) warm but discouraging of individuality.

Question 72

Edith, the adolescent daughter of the local district attorney, has recently been hanging out with a rowdy group of youth who have vandalized a number of public buildings. Edith has most likely adopted a:

A) false-self behavior.
B) negative peer culture.
C) negative identity.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 73

Jessica is 15 years old and spends most of her energy wondering who she is and what kind of person she will become. Erikson would describe her as facing the crisis called:

A) basic trust versus mistrust.
B) autonomy versus shame and doubt.
C) industry versus inferiority.
D) identity versus identity diffusion.

Question 74

Since Ignacio became an adolescent, he has experimented with different roles and personalities. Ignacio's parents are telling all their friends that this is just a "phase" that he's going through. According to Erikson, this "phase" is called:

A) identity foreclosure.
B) psychosocial moratorium.
C) identity confusion.
D) negative identity.

Question 75

According to the textbook, which identity status is associated with a coherent sense of identity?

A) achievement
B) foreclosure
C) moratorium
D) diffusion

Question 76

Identity that is incoherent, disjointed, and characterized by an incomplete sense of self is called:

A) false-self behavior.
B) moratorium.
C) identity diffusion.
D) marginal identity.

Question 77

Whose research supports Erikson's theory on identity development?

A) Phinney
B) Harter
C) Marcia
D) Gilligan

Question 78

Alex suffers from identity diffusion. In addition to problems with identity development, problems with identity diffusion are likely to be reflected in the area(s) of:

A) autonomy.
B) intimacy.
C) sexuality.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 79

Which of the following individuals would be considered to be in an identity achieved state?

A) Alexandra, who has not made firm commitments and is not currently trying to make them
B) Denise, who has made identity commitments without needing a period of exploration
C) Brandon, who is in the midst of a period of exploration
D) Francis, who has established a coherent sense of identity; she has made identity commitments after a period of exploration

Question 80

Across all of the identity development frameworks, what is a common factor related to healthy development?

A) having authoritative parents
B) having a high self-esteem and positive self-regard
C) a period of experimentation and exploration before finalizing choices
D) exploration in depth and exploration in breadth