Question 1

Because he is a math professor's son, Jack has developed a high standard for achievement in mathematics. However, he does not have a high mathematical aptitude and feels frustrated that he cannot meet that standard. Bandura would say that Jack is likely to experience a low sense of ________.

Accepted Answer

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to achieve a desired outcome. In this case, Jack's high standard for achievement in mathematics is not matched by his mathematical aptitude, leading to a sense of frustration and likely a low sense of self-efficacy. He may doubt his ability to succeed in the subject and feel less confident in his own abilities, leading to a low sense of self-esteem as well. However, self-realization and self-actualization refer to different aspects of self-awareness and personal growth, and are not directly related to Jack's struggles with mathematics.

Question 2

Cognitive-social theories have been particularly useful in treating ________.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-social theories, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, have been found to be effective in treating depression by focusing on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. These theories may also be used in treating other mental health conditions, but their effectiveness may vary.

Question 3

Many studies, conducted over more than 20 years, have found ________ between self-efficacy and performance in workplaces, schools, and clinical settings.

Accepted Answer

Many studies have found a positive correlation between self-efficacy and performance in various settings.

Question 4

Testing personality is much like testing intelligence, in that in both cases we are trying to measure something that is ________.

Accepted Answer

Both personality and intelligence are intangible traits that cannot be physically seen or measured. We can only infer their existence based on observable behavior and performance.

Question 5

According to Rotter, expectancy about whether reinforcement is under internal or external control is ________.

Accepted Answer

Rotter's concept of expectancy pertains to the degree to which individuals believe that certain behaviors will lead to certain outcomes. Locus of control is an important aspect of this concept, as it refers to an individual's belief about the degree of control they have over the reinforcement they receive. Therefore, the best choice is D, which directly relates to the concept of locus of control. A is incorrect because self-efficacy relates to beliefs about one's ability to perform certain tasks. B is incorrect because performance standards refer to the levels of achievement that individuals strive for, rather than beliefs about control over reinforcement. C is also incorrect because response set relates to an individual's tendency to respond a certain way in different situations.

Question 6

The best kind of personality test is one that is ________.

Accepted Answer

A personality test that is both valid and reliable is the best kind because it accurately measures what it is intended to measure and consistently produces consistent results. Validity refers to whether a test measures what it is supposed to measure, while reliability refers to how consistent the test results are over time and across different test-takers. A test that is only reliable may consistently produce inaccurate results, and a test that is only valid may measure something other than what it claims to measure. Therefore, a test that is both valid and reliable is the best kind for evaluating personality traits.

Question 7

According to Bandura, the expectancy that one's efforts will be successful is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Bandura's theory of self-efficacy emphasizes the importance of individuals' beliefs in their ability to successfully achieve their goals. Self-efficacy refers to the expectancy that one's efforts will be successful. The other options - reciprocal determinism, self-esteem, and locus of control - are all concepts within Bandura's larger social cognitive theory, but they do not directly refer to the specific belief in one's ability to achieve success.

Question 8

In assessing personality, we are most interested in a person's ________ behavior.

Accepted Answer

When assessing personality, it is important to observe a person's typical behavior, which will be the most consistent and reliable indicator of their personality traits. Atypical behavior may be situational or unreliable, while observing a person's best or worst behavior may not accurately reflect their overall personality.

Question 9

Interviews in which the interviewer asks questions about any material that comes up, and asks follow-up questions whenever appropriate are known as ________ interviews.

Accepted Answer

Unstructured interviews allow for flexibility in questioning and exploration of any relevant topics that arise during the interview. The interviewer is not limited to a predetermined set of questions or topics.

Question 10

Which of the following is not one of the four basic types of tools used by psychologists to measure personality?

Accepted Answer

The four basic types of tools used by psychologists to measure personality are personal interviews, projective tests, objective tests, and behavioral assessment. Aptitude tests measure a person's ability or potential in a specific area such as math or language, but do not focus specifically on personality traits.

Question 11

Which of the following has key concepts that can be defined and scientifically studied?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-social theory is the only option that can be defined and scientifically studied with its key concepts, such as perception, attention, memory, learning, decision-making, and social influence. Psychodynamic and humanistic theories focus more on subjective experiences and emotions, which are difficult to measure objectively.

Question 12

Explanatory style and internal expectancies would be most important to which of the following theorists?

Accepted Answer

Explanatory style and internal expectancies are most important to Bandura, who developed the social cognitive theory that emphasizes the role of cognitive processes, such as perception, interpretation, and self-efficacy, in behavior and learning. Perls is associated with Gestalt therapy, which focuses on awareness and integration of the self; Ellis is associated with rational emotive behavior therapy, which emphasizes changing irrational beliefs; and Skinner is associated with behaviorism, which focuses on the role of reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior.

Question 13

A math professor's daughter is very talented in math and has a high standard for achievement in math. Since she will probably achieve great success in mathematics, Bandura would say that she will have a high sense of ________.

Accepted Answer

Bandura's theory of self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to perform a specific task or achieve a specific goal. The math professor's daughter's talent and high standard for achievement in math indicate that she is likely to have a high sense of self-efficacy in mathematics. Self-actualization and self-realization refer to broader concepts of personal growth and fulfillment, while self-esteem refers to an individual's overall evaluation of their worth as a person. While the daughter may also have high levels of self-esteem, Bandura's theory specifically emphasizes self-efficacy in relation to achievement.

Question 14

Barney is a person who believes he can control his own fate. He feels that by hard work, skill, and training it is possible to avoid punishments and find rewards. Rotter would say that Barney has a(n) ________ locus of control.

Accepted Answer

Barney's belief that he can control his own fate through hard work, skill, and training indicates an internal locus of control.

Question 15

Barney believes that he does not have control over his own fate. He believes that chance, luck, and the behavior of others control his life. According to Rotter, Barney has a(n) ________ locus of control.

Accepted Answer

Barney's belief that external factors control his life reflects an external locus of control, which means he sees outside forces as determining his outcomes rather than his own behavior and actions (internal locus of control).

Question 16

For both Bandura and Rotter, a person's expectancies become a critical part of his or her ________.

Accepted Answer

Both Bandura and Rotter believe that a person's expectancies become a critical part of his or her explanatory style, which is the way he or she explains events or circumstances in his or her life. It includes how he or she attributes causes of successes and failures, whether he or she sees these outcomes as being under his or her control, and whether he or she has a positive or negative outlook on life.

Question 17

A study of 1939 to 1944 Harvard graduates found that by age 65, optimists were ________ than pessimists.

Accepted Answer

The study found that optimists were healthier than pessimists by the age of 65. While intelligence, creativity, and friendliness may also be positive traits associated with optimism, the study specifically focused on health outcomes.

Question 18

Which of the following people is most closely associated with the concept of locus of control?

Accepted Answer

Rotter is most closely associated with the concept of locus of control, which refers to a person's belief about the extent to which they have control over the outcomes of their lives. Rotter's theory suggests that individuals have either an internal locus of control (in which they believe their actions can directly influence the outcome of events in their lives) or an external locus of control (in which they believe external factors such as luck, fate, or the actions of others have more influence on the outcomes in their lives). While other psychologists, such as Seligman, Ellis, and Bandura, have contributed to the field of psychology, they are not specifically associated with the concept of locus of control.

Question 19

The researcher most closely linked to the concept of self-efficacy is ________.

Accepted Answer

Self-efficacy is a concept developed by the psychologist Albert Bandura. He defined self-efficacy as the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Question 20

According to cognitive-social theorists, ________.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-social theorists believe that while behavior may be influenced by situational factors, underlying personality traits are relatively stable over time. Therefore, underlying personality is more stable than behavior.

Quiz 10: Personality