Question 1

What is a key strength of longitudinal personality development studies?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal personality development studies are particularly valuable because they track the same individuals over time, allowing researchers to observe how personalities change and develop. This approach helps to control for the cohort effect, which is the influence that being born and living in the same time period has on the development and characteristics of a group of people. By focusing on the same individuals, these studies can more accurately discern changes in personality that are due to aging or maturation, rather than differences that stem from the unique experiences of different generations.

Question 2

According to a recent large-scale cross-sectional study that measured personality stereotypes of people in 26 different countries, adolescents around the world in today's age tend to be

Accepted Answer

Adolescents are often stereotyped as being impulsive and rebellious, a perception that reflects common societal views on teenage behavior and development. This stereotype is influenced by the biological and psychological changes that occur during adolescence, leading to increased risk-taking and a desire for autonomy.

Question 3

Ashley has always wanted to be a great lawyer. After years of hard work, she has just graduated from law school and in the next few weeks will begin working as a junior partner at a national law firm. Ashley is beginning to see herself as an

Accepted Answer

Ashley sees herself as an agent because, in the context of her career, she acts on behalf of clients, making decisions and taking actions to represent their interests in legal matters. This role aligns with the definition of an agent, someone who acts on behalf of another.

Question 4

Ajay has just begun his first professional job. Ajay will MOST likely display an increase in which trait?

Accepted Answer

Starting a professional job often requires individuals to be more responsible, organized, and diligent in their tasks, which are key aspects of conscientiousness.

Question 5

Joaquim is 65 years old. Relative to his personality as a 20-year-old, John has likely ________ in openness to experience.

Accepted Answer

Openness to experience tends to increase in early adulthood and then decrease in later adulthood.

Question 6

Personality psychologists are currently debating whether young adults in the 21st century are more ________ than previous generations.

Accepted Answer

There is an ongoing debate among personality psychologists about whether young adults today exhibit higher levels of self-centeredness and narcissism compared to previous generations, often attributed to cultural and technological changes.

Question 7

Based on personality development research conducted over the last 40 years, what can we conclude regarding William James's claim that personality is "set like plaster" by age 30?

Accepted Answer

Research in personality development over the last 40 years indicates that personality can and often does change throughout the lifespan, challenging William James's assertion that personality is fixed by age 30.

Question 8

What is a well-known issue with cross-sectional methodology?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional methodology often faces the issue of cohort effects, where differences between age groups may not be due to age per se but rather to the unique experiences or characteristics of the specific cohorts being compared. This can make it difficult to determine if observed differences are truly due to age-related changes.

Question 9

According to recent evidence, results from longitudinal studies and cross-sectional studies about personality traits are

Accepted Answer

Recent evidence from longitudinal and cross-sectional studies about personality traits shows that the results are only slightly different. These methodologies, while distinct in approach, often yield similar findings regarding the stability and change of personality traits over time.

Question 10

According to psychologist Ravenna Helson, someone who stays "on time" in relation to their social clock

Accepted Answer

Ravenna Helson's research on the social clock suggests that individuals who align with societal expectations for major life events (e.g., education, marriage, career milestones) tend to receive social approval. This is because they are adhering to the culturally established timeline, which is often viewed positively by society.

Question 11

As the author of one's own autobiography, one forms a(n)

Accepted Answer

Writing an autobiography involves crafting a story of one's life, which inherently requires organizing life events and experiences into a coherent narrative. This process helps in forming a narrative identity, where individuals make sense of their lives as an evolving story.

Question 12

Personality development is the

Accepted Answer

Personality development refers to the mean level change of a trait over time, indicating how average levels of certain personality traits may increase or decrease as a person ages.

Question 13

What is the correct order of narrative identity development over the life course, according to Dan McAdams?

Accepted Answer

According to Dan McAdams, the development of narrative identity over the life course progresses in the order of actor, agent, and author. Initially, individuals see themselves as actors with social roles, then as agents with goals and values, and finally as authors who create their life stories.

Question 14

Research suggests that women who follow ________ reported being content and satisfied with life 20 years after graduation.

Accepted Answer

Following either the Feminine Social Clock or the Masculine Social Clock can lead to contentment and satisfaction, as these paths provide a sense of fulfillment and alignment with personal or societal expectations.

Question 15

A current study is surveying people of different ages in order to understand whether individuals' levels of subjective well-being change across the life span. What type of developmental study is this?

Accepted Answer

This is a cross-sectional study because it examines individuals of different ages at one point in time to understand how a particular trait (in this case, subjective well-being) varies across the lifespan.

Question 16

Maria is in her late twenties and is a manager at an advertising company. According to the text, Maria is following the ________ Clock.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Maria is in her late twenties and...

Question 17

According to Dan McAdams, the narrative theme of "agency" organizes the life story around

Accepted Answer

Agency in narrative identity refers to the theme of self-mastery, where individuals organize their life stories around episodes of challenging themselves and then accomplishing their goals. This emphasizes the individual's ability to act and make changes.

Question 18

In the last month, Oscar learned to drive and began working at his first job. These new developments are helping him to see himself as an

Accepted Answer

Oscar is beginning to see himself as an actor, as he is taking on new roles and responsibilities in his life, such as driving and working.

Question 19

Paul used to abuse alcohol and at his lowest point, his father helped him become sober. Now Paul and his father are closer than they ever have been. Paul's story is an example of a(n) ________ story.

Accepted Answer

Paul's story is an example of a redemptive story because it describes a transition from a negative life event (alcohol abuse) to a positive outcome (sobriety and a closer relationship with his father), which is characteristic of redemptive narratives.

Question 20

According to a classic study, individuals who grew up during the Great Depression had different attitudes regarding work and financial security than those who did not grow up during this time. These findings provide evidence for

Accepted Answer

The findings suggest cohort effects, which are differences among individuals that stem from the historical and social times in which they have lived, rather than from their individual developmental processes. Growing up during the Great Depression would have exposed individuals to unique economic hardships and uncertainties, influencing their attitudes towards work and financial security differently than those who did not experience these conditions.

Quiz 7: Personality Stability, Development, and Change