Question 1

Which theorists are most likely to be criticized for underestimating the variability of behavior from situation to situation?

Accepted Answer

Trait theorists tend to focus on stable and consistent patterns of behavior across situations, and may therefore underestimate the variability of behavior from situation to situation.

Question 2

The Big Five traits show their greatest stability during

Accepted Answer

The Big Five traits show their greatest stability during adulthood, as personality tends to become more consistent and predictable as individuals age and experience more of life. Research has also shown that personality stability begins to increase in early adulthood and continues through middle age.

Question 3

Sheen is usually animated and talkative when he is with his girlfriend,but he is often quiet and reserved at home.He actively participates in many class discussions but frequently seems reluctant to talk with friends at the campus coffee shop.Sheen's behavior should make us more cautious about overemphasizing the impact of ________ on behavior.

Accepted Answer

Sheen's behavior is inconsistent across different situations, which suggests that his behavior is not solely determined by his personality traits. This highlights the importance of situational factors in influencing behavior, supporting the idea that personality traits are not always the most important factor determining behavior.

Question 4

Those who score high on the Big Five trait of ________ tend to have a larger frontal lobe area that aids in planning and controlling behavior.

Accepted Answer

The trait of conscientiousness is associated with a larger frontal lobe area which aids in planning and controlling behavior. This is due to the trait's emphasis on organization, self-discipline, and goal-setting behaviors.

Question 5

Arguments as to whether a person's behavior is more strongly influenced by temporary external influences or by enduring inner influences best characterize the

Accepted Answer

The person-situation controversy is the argument about whether a person's behavior is influenced more by temporary external factors or enduring inner factors. This debate is centered on how much of an impact situational factors have on behavior vs. how much of an impact personality traits have on behavior.

Question 6

People's scores on a test of extraversion are ________ predictors of how agreeable they will act in one particular situation.Their scores are ________ predictors of how agreeable they will act on average over many different situations.

Accepted Answer

Personality tests, like those measuring extraversion, tend to be poor predictors of behavior in any specific situation due to the influence of situational factors. However, they are good predictors of how someone will behave on average across many different situations, as they capture general tendencies.

Question 7

Genes account for about ________ percent of our individual differences on the Big Five trait dimensions.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that genetic factors account for approximately 40% of the variance in the Big Five personality traits.

Question 8

Tamika tends to blog about negative emotions and events in her life.Tamika is likely high in which big five trait?

Accepted Answer

Individuals high in neuroticism tend to experience negative emotions more frequently and intensely, which may lead them to express these emotions through writing or blogging as a means of coping.

Question 9

Unlike country,pop,and religious music lovers,those who prefer classical,jazz,blues,and folk music tend to score high on the Big Five trait dimension known as

Accepted Answer

The Big Five trait dimension of openness is related to imagination, creativity, curiosity, and appreciation for art and beauty. These characteristics are often associated with those who prefer classical, jazz, blues, and folk music, which are typically more complex and diverse genres than country, pop, and religious music.

Question 10

Our personality traits are most likely to remain hidden as we carefully attend to social cues in

Accepted Answer

In unfamiliar, formal situations, people are more likely to be cautious and attentive to social cues to ensure they behave appropriately, leading to a suppression of their natural personality traits to conform to expected norms or behaviors.

Question 11

Shanda is very trusting of others,volunteers to help those in need,and is always willing to help a friend.Which of the Big Five factors does Shanda demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

Shanda's characteristics of being trusting, volunteering to help others, and being willing to help a friend all demonstrate agreeableness, which is a trait associated with being cooperative, compassionate, and empathetic towards others.

Question 12

Siena is anxious,insecure,and feels sorry for herself.She has a very difficult time handling any sort of stress and is highly emotional.Which of the Big Five factors does she illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Siena's traits are indicative of high levels of neuroticism, which is characterized by anxiety, insecurity, and emotional instability.

Question 13

People's scores on a test of extraversion are likely to be most strongly correlated with the number of social conversations they initiate during the course of a single

Accepted Answer

The answer of People's scores on a test of extraversion...

Question 14

When Jack was in his twenties,he was more emotional and less conscientious in his job.Now that he is in his forties,he is more emotionally stable and more agreeable in his work and family life.Jack's change illustrates

Accepted Answer

The scenario described suggests that Jack's personality has changed over time, indicating that personality is not fixed and can continue to develop and change throughout a person's life. This is consistent with research on personality development, which has shown that traits such as emotional stability and agreeableness typically increase as individuals age and mature.

Question 15

Studies have correlated early trait scores with scores for the same traits seven years later.The weakest correlations were observed among

Accepted Answer

The question asks about correlations between early trait scores and scores for the same traits seven years later. Since children would have the shortest time between those two scores, their correlation would be the most relevant. Additionally, the question specifically states that the weakest correlations were observed, making it less likely that older age groups would have weak correlations.

Question 16

Features of the Big Five traits are common to people

Accepted Answer

The Big Five traits are universal and have been found in people from all human groups, regardless of their culture, ethnicity, or nationality. Numerous studies have confirmed the consistency and stability of these five traits across a wide range of populations and ages, suggesting that they reflect fundamental aspects of human personality that are present across the globe. Therefore, the best answer is D - from all human groups.

Question 17

Cultural changes over time within the United States and the Netherlands have been accompanied by ________ in extraversion and ________ in conscientiousness.

Accepted Answer

Cultural changes over time within the United States and the Netherlands have been accompanied by increases in extraversion and increases in conscientiousness.

Question 18

The use of positive-emotion words in blog posts is best predicted by the Big Five trait of

Accepted Answer

The answer of The use of positive-emotion words in blog...

Question 19

The person-situation controversy involves a debate regarding the influence of ________ and ________ on behavior.

Accepted Answer

The person-situation controversy is a debate in psychology that centers around whether behavior is more influenced by the person or by the environment/situation. The options in choice A and B are related to internal factors, rather than environmental/situational factors, and the options in choice D are personality traits, which are one aspect of internal factors. Therefore, choice C is the best answer as it includes both the person (traits) and the situation (environment).

Question 20

At work,Charlie is very conscientious and serious.At home,he is easy-going and fun-loving.This change in personality demonstrates that

Accepted Answer

Charlie's change in personality from work to home demonstrates that expressed personality traits can vary depending on the situation. This is known as situational variability and is a common phenomenon in psychology. It suggests that people don't have a fixed or unchangeable personality, and that our behavior can vary depending on the circumstances we find ourselves in.

Quiz 12: Personality