Question 1

If you believe that behavior is influenced by external situations and circumstances, then you would most likely agree with which statement?

Accepted Answer

This statement suggests that behavior is heavily influenced by the situational factors in which it occurs (in this case, the wedding reception). Personality may play a role, but the statement implies that almost anyone would behave politely in this situation.

Question 2

Persons who fail to make eye contact, retreat when spoken to, display little animation in conversation, lack confidence, and feel uncomfortable around people who are not close friends are displaying

Accepted Answer

The described behaviors are characteristic of shyness, a common social anxiety where individuals feel uncomfortable and often avoid social interactions with people they do not know well. Hysteria, neurosis, and mania are not appropriate descriptions for these behaviors.

Question 3

Uneasiness and strain in socializing is known as

Accepted Answer

Social inhibition refers to the discomfort and nervousness an individual experiences in social situations where they may be evaluated or judged by others. It can lead to avoiding social situations altogether or feeling uneasy and tense in these situations. Private self-consciousness refers to an individual's tendency to introspect and focus on their internal thoughts and feelings, rather than focusing on external stimuli. Self-defeating bias refers to the tendency of individuals to undermine their own success and believe that they will fail, even when they have the ability to succeed. Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to achieve a specific goal or task. While social inhibition may lead to low self-efficacy in social situations, they are not interchangeable terms.

Question 4

External circumstances influence the expression of a personality trait, according to

Accepted Answer

Trait-situation interaction suggests that external circumstances can impact how a personality trait is expressed. This theory asserts that the way in which a trait is displayed in a given situation is influenced by environmental factors such as social norms, cultural values, and situational cues.

Question 5

Dan is quieter than average in class.According to trait-situation interaction, what would Dan's behavior be like at a basketball game?

Accepted Answer

Trait-situation interaction suggests that behavior is influenced by both traits and situational factors. While Dan is quieter than average in class, the lively environment of a basketball game may lead him to be louder than he is in class, though still quieter than the average person at the game.

Question 6

Kearstein is quiet and shy, although she is less quiet and shy when she is at family gatherings than when she is in her college class.This example of Kearstein supports the concept of

Accepted Answer

Trait-situation interaction refers to the idea that people's behaviors can vary according to the situation or context they are in. In this case, Kearstein's behavior is different when she is in a family gathering versus when she is in her college class, suggesting that her trait of being quiet and shy interacts with the different social situations she is in.

Question 7

A person states that almost anyone would be polite at a wedding reception; it doesn't matter what kind of personality the person has.This person believes that the behavior of people is strongly influenced by

Accepted Answer

The person believes that the behavior of people is strongly influenced by external situations, such as the social expectations and norms surrounding a wedding reception, which can encourage people to act in a polite manner regardless of their personality.

Question 8

A person states that the reason people in some professions, such as teachers, lawyers, or doctors, seem so much alike is because their work requires that they act in particular ways.This person believes that the behavior of these professionals is strongly influenced by

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that the behavior of professionals is influenced by external situations, such as the demands and expectations of their job. It does not mention personality traits, lasting biological predispositions, or ego defense mechanisms.

Question 9

Although Jan would be described as very extroverted, she will be more extroverted at a party than when she is attending church.This observation supports the concept of

Accepted Answer

Trait-situation interaction refers to the idea that an individual's behavior is influenced by both their stable personality traits and the specific situation they are in. This explanation fits the observation given about Jan, who displays more extroverted behavior at a party (a more socially permissive situation) than at church (a more socially conservative situation).

Question 10

With respect to the influence of traits and situations on behavior, it is most accurate to say that the two

Accepted Answer

Traits and situations interact to influence behavior. This means that both the personality traits of an individual and the situation they are in can impact their behavior. For example, a naturally introverted person may behave differently in a crowded and noisy environment compared to a quiet and peaceful one. The situation can either enhance or decrease the impact of a person's traits on their behavior. As such, it is essential to consider both traits and situations when studying human behavior.

Question 11

Regarding the influence of traits and situations on people's behaviors, which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

This statement is false because research has shown that personality traits can predict job performance, dangerous driving, and successful marriages to some extent. Although individual traits may not completely determine behavior, they can provide useful information in predicting behavior within certain contexts.

Question 12

According to twin studies, the role of environment in shaping personality is

Accepted Answer

Twin studies have shown that both heredity and environment play significant roles in shaping personality, with the environment being as much or more important than genetics in many aspects of personality development.

Question 13

A person states that most people he has known for several years have pretty much the same personalities now as they did when he first met them.This person believes that the behavior of the people he knows is strongly influenced by

Accepted Answer

This person's observation that people he has known for several years have consistent personalities suggests that their behavior is influenced by enduring personality traits, rather than external situations or ego defense mechanisms. Additionally, the concept of a "striving for consistency" also supports the idea that personality plays a significant role in behavior.

Question 14

Which of the following refers to a tendency to avoid others, as well as feelings of anxiety, preoccupation, and social inhibition?

Accepted Answer

Shyness refers to a tendency to avoid others, as well as feelings of anxiety, preoccupation, and social inhibition. Hysteria and mania are unrelated, and neurosis is a broad term that encompasses various mental health conditions.

Question 15

What one becomes and where one goes in life is the result of

Accepted Answer

While genetic programming and inherent traits may provide some predispositions, ultimately, one's choices determine their path in life. Additionally, these choices can be influenced by inherited tendencies, but they are not solely determined by them. The environment also plays a role, but ultimately, it is an individual's decisions that have the greatest impact on their life trajectory.

Question 16

According to studies of the influence of heredity and environment on personality traits, heredity appears to be responsible for what percent of the variation in many personality traits?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that heredity is responsible for about 25 to 55 percent of the variation in many personality traits. This means that the remaining variation is influenced by environmental factors such as upbringing, socialization, and life experiences. It's important to note that while heredity plays a significant role in personality, it is not the sole determinant and environmental factors also have a significant impact.

Question 17

What do psychologists mean by the term "trait-situation interaction"?

Accepted Answer

Trait-situation interaction refers to the way in which a person's traits (e.g. personality, attitudes, values) interact with the situation they are in to influence their behavior. This means that situations can affect how traits are exhibited or expressed. For instance, a normally outgoing person may act shy or reserved in a social situation where they feel uncomfortable. Similarly, a typically honest person may be more likely to lie in a situation where they feel pressure to do so.

Question 18

Your friend Dan states that to be comfortable in a particular job, a person's personality must match the nature of the work.Dan believes that the behavior of people is strongly influenced by

Accepted Answer

Dan believes that a person's lasting personal dispositions, or personality traits, are the most important factor in determining whether they will be comfortable and successful in a particular job. This suggests that he believes personality is a relatively stable and enduring characteristic that affects behavior across a variety of situations.

Question 19

If you believe that behavior is strongly influenced by personality traits or lasting personal dispositions, whether biological or learned, then you would most likely agree with which statement?

Accepted Answer

The statement that "my friends' actions are fairly consistent from day to day and in different situations" supports the belief that behavior is strongly influenced by personality traits or lasting personal dispositions.

Question 20

The influence that external settings or circumstances have on the expression of personality traits is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Trait-situation interaction refers to the influence that external settings or circumstances have on the expression of personality traits. This theory recognizes that a person's behavior may change in different situations or environments, and that personality traits are not always predictive of behavior across all contexts.

Quiz 12: Personality.