Question 1

Compared to the Rorschach, the Thematic Apperception Test TAT) has been found to be

Accepted Answer

The TAT has been found to be a better predictor of certain behaviors, such as achievement motivation, than the Rorschach. However, both tests have their limitations and should not be the sole basis for making diagnostic or treatment decisions.

Question 2

In school, Mandy was outgoing, working in student government and the school theater productions.As an adult, she works in public relations and hosts lots of social gatherings.The fact that Mandy is outgoing is a , and how she expresses her outgoingness is a .

Accepted Answer

The first part of the statement suggests that Mandy has a basic tendency towards being outgoing, which is part of her personality trait. The second part of the statement suggests that Mandy expresses her outgoingness in certain ways, which is a characteristic adaptation.

Question 3

How do the idiographic and nomothetic approaches to personality assessment differ?

Accepted Answer

The idiographic approach emphasizes the unique characteristics of the individual, while the nomothetic approach focuses on how people vary on common characteristics. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer. Choices B and C are incorrect because neither approach is limited to using only objective or projective tests. Choice D is also incorrect because it incorrectly reverses the focus of each approach.

Question 4

If a therapist gives a client the Thematic Apperception Test TAT), she is attempting to assess the client's

Accepted Answer

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is a projective test used to assess a person's motivational traits, needs, and attitudes towards themselves and others. The person is shown ambiguous pictures and asked to create a story about them, revealing their unconscious drives, conflicts, and desires. It is not used for diagnosing psychiatric disorders, exploring sexual conflicts, or evaluating self-esteem.

Question 5

Dr.Heinz, a therapist, takes a psychodynamic approach to personality.Which of the following techniques would Dr.Heinz be LEAST likely to use with someone?

Accepted Answer

The psychodynamic approach emphasizes the importance of unconscious thoughts, emotions, and past experiences in shaping personality. The California Q-Sort is a technique used to measure personality traits based on how individuals sort a set of descriptors into categories. This type of technique does not focus on the unconscious and is therefore less likely to be used by a therapist who takes a psychodynamic approach. The other techniques listed (Rorschach inkblot test, Thematic Apperception Test, dream analysis) are all commonly used in psychodynamic therapy as they all focus on exploring the unconscious mind.

Question 6

Idiographic approaches to the assessment of personality focus on

Accepted Answer

Idiographic approaches to the assessment of personality focus on individuals, rather than comparisons across people or ratings made by others. These approaches aim to understand the unique characteristics and experiences of an individual, rather than stereotyping them based on their culture or other external factors.

Question 7

As a child, Isaac was introverted, preferring quiet toys, books, and playing by himself.Now as an adult, Isaac has a solitary office job and enjoys quiet walks in the woods.The fact that he is still introverted as an adult is called a

Accepted Answer

Isaac's continued preference for solitude and quiet activities suggests that his introversion is a basic tendency, or a relatively stable and enduring characteristic that is likely influenced by biological factors. Peripheral adaptation refers to more variable changes in behavior or personality that occur in response to immediate situational demands, while characteristic adaptation refers to longer-term changes in response to life experiences.

Question 8

During a personality assessment, Jason sorts personality characteristics into piles that vary on how accurately the characteristics describe him.Jason is most likely taking the

Accepted Answer

Jason is likely taking the California Q-Sort because it involves sorting personality characteristics into piles based on how accurately they describe the individual, allowing for the assessment of subjective perceptions of one's own personality. The Thematic Apperception Test, NEO Personality Inventory, and Rorschach inkblot test all involve different methods of personality assessment that do not involve sorting characteristics in this way.

Question 9

What is one main difference between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory MMPI) and the Rorschach inkblot test?

Accepted Answer

The main difference between the MMPI and Rorschach is that the MMPI is a self-report test, meaning that the individual being tested must answer a series of questions about themselves, while the Rorschach is a projective test where individuals are shown ambiguous images and asked to describe what they see.

Question 10

Your professor is assessing his students' personalities.He asks everyone to write a personal narrative about his or her college experiences.He is using an) approach to personality assessment.

Accepted Answer

The professor is using an idiographic approach to personality assessment by asking each student to write a personal narrative about their unique college experiences. This approach focuses on understanding an individual's unique and subjective experiences, rather than comparing them to others or applying general traits or characteristics.

Question 11

Although most projective measures of personality are viewed as too subjective and not properly validated, the is still considered useful for predicting some aspects of behavior.

Accepted Answer

The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) is considered the most reliable projective measure of personality and has been found to be useful for predicting certain behaviors such as achievement motivation and interpersonal relationships. The Rorschach inkblot test and draw-a-person test have been criticized for low reliability and validity, and the imaginary friend test is not a widely recognized projective measure.

Question 12

Who is most likely to adopt a nomothetic approach to assess personality?

Accepted Answer

Trait theorists focus on identifying and measuring broad dimensions of personality through a nomothetic approach. They seek to identify universal traits that can be used to describe and compare individuals.

Question 13

According to research, which personality trait should increase as you age?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that emotional stability tends to increase as people get older, while neuroticism tends to decrease. Extraversion and openness to new experiences may vary depending on the individual and their life circumstances, but there is no clear trend indicating that they increase or decrease with age.

Question 14

The fact that age-related changes in personality are similar across cultures

Accepted Answer

The fact that age-related changes in personality are similar across cultures suggests that there might be some biological and physiological explanations for such changes, in addition to the environmental factors that may also contribute to personality. This eliminates options A, B, and D as they do not take into account the possible role of biology and physiology in personality changes during aging.

Question 15

According to the approach, personality assessment should focus on how people vary across common traits.

Accepted Answer

The approach described is consistent with the nomothetic approach to personality assessment, which focuses on identifying and measuring common traits that vary across individuals. This is in contrast to the idiographic approach, which emphasizes understanding the unique characteristics and experiences of the individual, or the projective approach, which relies on subjective interpretation of ambiguous stimuli. There is no mention of the objective approach, so it cannot be determined whether it aligns with the described approach.

Question 16

In 1890, William James argued that "by age 30, the character [personality] has set like plaster and will never soften again." Has psychological research supported his assertion?

Accepted Answer

Psychological research has generally supported the idea that personality traits become more stable and less open to change as people age. However, studies have shown that some degree of personality change can occur throughout the lifespan, particularly during significant life transitions such as entering a new relationship or experiencing a major trauma. Additionally, research has shown that personality change can occur as a result of intentional efforts, such as therapy or personal growth initiatives. Therefore, while personality may become more set as people age, it is not completely fixed and can still be influenced by various factors.

Question 17

Which of the following research findings best supports the idea that personality change throughout the life span is based in human physiology?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following research findings best...

Question 18

An important criticism of the Rorschach inkblot test is that it

Accepted Answer

The Rorschach inkblot test has been criticized for its lack of reliability and validity, particularly in terms of its tendency to overpathologize or incorrectly identify normal individuals as having psychological disturbances. This is due to the subjective nature of the test's interpretation.

Question 19

According to research, which personality trait should decrease as you age?

Accepted Answer

According to the Five-Factor Model of Personality, neuroticism, which refers to the tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and vulnerability, typically decreases as people age. This is linked to increased emotional stability and wisdom.

Question 20

Research on the Rorschach inkblot test indicates that it

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that the Rorschach inkblot test has low reliability and validity and often identifies many normal individuals as psychologically disturbed.

Quiz 13: Personality