Question 1

Which of the following is a core aspect of personality?

Accepted Answer

Stability, or consistency in behavior and emotions, and distinctness, or uniqueness of individual characteristics, are both considered core aspects of personality. Volatility, or erratic and unpredictable behavior, is not typically considered a core aspect of personality.

Question 2

Which theoretical perspective views personality as the product of a dynamic interaction between conscious and unconscious mental structures?

Accepted Answer

The psychodynamic perspective, developed by Sigmund Freud, views personality as the product of a dynamic interaction between conscious and unconscious mental structures, such as the id, ego, and superego. This perspective emphasizes the role of early childhood experiences and the unconscious mind in shaping personality.

Question 3

Which of the following is true, according to Freud?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, the id is the primal, instinctual part of the psyche, operating according to the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of its needs and desires. The ego develops as a mediator between the id and external reality, operating according to the reality principle, trying to satisfy the id's impulses in realistic and socially acceptable ways. The superego is the moral component of the psyche, internalizing societal and parental values and norms, and operating according to the morality principle. Therefore, option C correctly identifies that the id operates according to the pleasure principle and the ego operates according to the reality principle.

Question 4

According to Freud, the superego was particularly relevant to the onset of antisocial behaviour as an adult. That is, individuals with a weak superego were more likely to become criminals. What did the development of a strong superego depend upon?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, the development of a strong superego depended on socialization processes in the family. Parental discipline and moral teachings would help the child internalize societal norms and values, leading to the formation of a strong superego.

Question 5

The psychodynamic perspective believed that which of the following was the source of a maladaptive personality?

Accepted Answer

The psychodynamic perspective believed that fixation, or being stuck at a particular stage of psychosexual development, was the source of a maladaptive personality.

Question 6

Which criminal subtype described by the psychodynamic perspective suggests that the individual is acting out to initiate a legal sanction to punish him or herself for feelings of unconscious guilt?

Accepted Answer

The neurotic offender subtype, as described by the psychodynamic perspective, suggests that the individual commits crimes as a means to be punished, thereby resolving feelings of unconscious guilt. This behavior is a manifestation of neurosis where the individual seeks punishment to alleviate guilt.

Question 7

In the Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho, Norman Bates, experiencing tremendous guilt over killing his mother, begins dressing up as his mother and committing murders. Psychodynamic theorists might describe Bates as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Psychodynamic theorists would likely describe Norman Bates as a neurotic offender, as his actions are driven by unresolved internal conflicts and guilt, leading to his dissociative identity and criminal behavior.

Question 8

A man who has been recently rejected by a female co-worker commits a brutal assault against an unknown woman who closely resembles his co-worker. This would be an example of which of Freud's defence mechanisms?

Accepted Answer

Displacement is the unconscious redirection of an emotional impulse from its original source to a safer, substitute target. In this case, the man redirected his aggressive impulses towards a woman who resembled his female co-worker, as a safer outlet for his emotions.

Question 9

Despite expressing strong anti-homosexual feelings and attitudes in public, John Wayne Gacy sexually assaulted and killed over 30 young boys. Freud might argue that Gacy was using which of the following defence mechanisms to conceal his homosexual tendencies?

Accepted Answer

Reaction formation involves unconsciously taking on an opposing view or behavior to hide unacceptable impulses or urges. In the case of John Wayne Gacy, he publicly expressed strong anti-homosexual feelings and attitudes, which can be seen as a reaction formation to cover up his own suppressed homosexual tendencies.

Question 10

Catharsis refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Catharsis refers to a release of built-up emotional tension. It is a term commonly used in psychology and psychotherapy to describe the process of expressing and releasing intense emotions in a safe and healthy way. This can include actions like crying, yelling, or talking about difficult experiences with a therapist or trusted friend.

Question 11

Which theory of aggression believes that unexpressed innate aggressive tendencies build up over time until the pressure explodes into violent behaviour?

Accepted Answer

The hydraulic model of aggression proposes that unexpressed innate aggressive tendencies build up over time, like water behind a dam, until the pressure reaches a critical level and explodes into violent behavior. This theory likens aggression to a hydraulic process, where aggression is like water under pressure seeking a release.

Question 12

According to attachment theory, antisocial behaviour may best be explained by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Attachment theory suggests that a poor early relationship with the primary caretaker can lead to insecure attachment styles and difficulties with emotional regulation, empathy, and social competence, which may contribute to the development of antisocial behaviour.

Question 13

Mary Ainsworth developed which research procedure to observe children's responses to separation from, and reunion with, their mothers or primary caretakers?

Accepted Answer

Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation research procedure to observe children's responses to separation from, and reunion with, their mothers or primary caretakers.

Question 14

Early patterns of attachment with primary caretakers result in the development of which of the following, or expectations about the trustworthiness and helpfulness of other people?

Accepted Answer

Early patterns of attachment with primary caretakers result in the development of internal working models, which are mental representations or expectations about the trustworthiness and helpfulness of other people.

Question 15

Which attachment style, characterized by emotional insecurity and fear of rejection in relationships, might be associated with criminal behaviour, such as stalking?

Accepted Answer

Preoccupied attachment style is characterized by emotional insecurity and fear of rejection, which can lead to behaviors like stalking as individuals may become overly dependent and anxious about their relationships.

Question 16

Forensic psychologist Bruce Arrigo believes that Aileen Wuornos, a serial killer convicted of murdering six men along Florida's highways, exhibited which of the following attachment styles?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Forensic psychologist Bruce Arrigo believes that Aileen...

Question 17

Marvel comic book character Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) is often described as extraverted and impulsive. According to psychologist Gordon W. Allport, who believed that traits are hierarchically organized, Tony Stark's extraversion would be what kind of trait?

Accepted Answer

Cardinal traits are the most dominant and influential traits in a person's personality. They are the traits that shape a person's overall behavior and are typically consistent across different situations. Tony Stark's extraversion is a cardinal trait because it is a dominant and influential part of his personality. It shapes his behavior and is consistent across different situations.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT one of the "big five" personality traits identified in the five-factor model of personality?

Accepted Answer

The "big five" personality traits in the five-factor model are typically identified as: Extroversion, Neuroticism, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. Hostility is not one of the five traits.

Question 19

Hans Eysenck believed that personality was the result of an interaction between the environment and the functioning of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hans Eysenck believed that personality was the...

Question 20

Which of the following is typical of a person who ranks high on psychoticism?

Accepted Answer

A person who ranks high on psychoticism is often described as egocentric, showing little concern for others and often having a grandiose sense of self-importance. While hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and disorganization are all symptoms of psychotic disorders, not everyone who ranks high on psychoticism necessarily exhibits these symptoms.

Quiz 5: Personality