Question 1

Mateen works at a clinic that provides substance abuse counseling to adults in need. Which of the following inventories would be most useful to him in assisting the individuals he counsels?

Accepted Answer

The MMPI-2 had scales for drug abuse and other psychiatric disturbances, all of which will help Mateen understand and provide care for his clients.

Question 2

The most widely used personality inventory is the _____

Accepted Answer

The MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2) is the most widely used personality inventory, utilized globally for both clinical and non-clinical assessments to identify personality structure and psychopathology.

Question 3

Studies on personality and culture reveal which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Studies show that Guatemala and Ecuador are some of the most collectivist cultures. Option A is incorrect because cultures vary in their degree of individualism and collectivism. Option B is incorrect as research shows that the United States has a high degree of individualism. Option C is incorrect because personality research does not focus on culture or cultural differences.

Question 4

Unpleasant, argumentative, and cold would describe a _____ score on the _____ factor of the five-factor model.

Accepted Answer

The factor that encompasses unpleasantness, argumentativeness, and coldness is typically associated with low agreeableness, making choice D the correct answer. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extroversion have different sets of traits associated with them.

Question 5

Geoff works on the psychiatric floor of the hospital. He is responsible for properly diagnosing individuals upon admittance to the hospital. Which of the following tools would be most helpful to him considering his position at the hospital?

Accepted Answer

The MMPI/MMPI-2 is used for screening and diagnosing psychiatric problems.

Question 6

Salvatore has been described by his classmates as unfriendly, argumentative, and unpleasant to be around. If these characteristics had to be summed up in one of the factors of the Big Five, which would it be?

Accepted Answer

Being argumentative and unfriendly describe the low end of the agreeableness dimension.

Question 7

_____ is a tool used in psychology and psychiatry in which an individual answers questions about his/her behaviors, thoughts, and feelings; it is then scored using a highly standardized procedure, thereby yielding dimensions of the individual's personality.

Accepted Answer

An inventory is a tool used in psychology and psychiatry in which an individual answers questions about his/her behaviors, thoughts, and feelings; it is then scored using a highly standardized procedure, thereby yielding dimensions of the individual's personality. The Thematic Apperception Test and the Rorschach are examples of projective tests, which rely on interpretation of ambiguous stimuli, rather than a standardized set of questions. The rating scale approach involves the individual or an observer rating the intensity or frequency of specific behaviors, rather than a comprehensive assessment of personality dimensions.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true of the situation-trait debate?

Accepted Answer

Research evidence supports both sides of the situation-trait debate. Some studies have found that personality traits are relatively stable over time, supporting the trait side of the debate, while other studies have found that situational factors can significantly impact behavior, supporting the situation side of the debate. It is important to note that Walter Mischel's position on the debate has evolved over time, and he has acknowledged the importance of both traits and situations in shaping behavior. The idea of reciprocal determinism is a key concept in social cognitive theory, but it is not directly related to the situation-trait debate.

Question 9

The idea that the environment, behaviors, and cognitive factors all play a mutual role in the development of personality is referred to as _____

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal determinism is the idea that a person's behavior, environment, and cognitive factors all interact and affect each other in shaping personality. This theory was proposed by Albert Bandura, who argued that people are not passive recipients of environmental influences, but rather active agents who can influence their environment and shape their own personality through their behavior and thoughts.

Question 10

Katrina and Carla are fraternal twins. They have different groups of friends, different interests, and different personalities. Katrina is described as antagonistic, offensive, and unfriendly, whereas Carla is described as warm and easygoing. These twins differ on the _____ factor of the five-factor model.

Accepted Answer

These descriptors explain the high and the low end of the agreeableness dimension.

Question 11

Bill is described by all as the most even-tempered, stable man they have ever met. Bill would likely score _____ on the _____ factor of the five-factor model.

Accepted Answer

Neuroticism refers to stability and the degree to which one displays emotions. Bill is stable and would score low on the neuroticism scale.

Question 12

Jacquez has been described as a "nervous nellie" and "worry wart" by those who know him. Jacquez's seemingly emotional instability would likely score _____ on the _____ factor of the five-factor model.

Accepted Answer

Neuroticism refers to stability and the degree to which one experiences negative emotions. Jacquez is anxious and nervous and would score high on the neuroticism scale

Question 13

Sixteen-year-old Enzo is involved in many activities at school, plays sports, and gets good grades. His parents report that he has been this way since he was little. Enzo reports having confidence in himself and his abilities. Consequently, he tends to set higher and higher goals for himself and works diligently to achieve them. Enzo likely has _____

Accepted Answer

High self-efficacy indicates a belief in one's own competence, as demonstrated by Enzo.

Question 14

Merrisa believes that getting a good job after college is all about the connections one has in addition to being at the right place at the right time. Merrisa also believes that if a person doesn't get the job he/she wants, it was simply not meant to be. Merrisa is demonstrating ____

Accepted Answer

Merrisa is demonstrating the "whatever will be, will be" attitude that is common to those with an external locus of control.

Question 15

Friendly, warm, and cooperative are descriptors of the _____ factor of the five-factor model.

Accepted Answer

If unfriendly, cold, and argumentative indicate a low score on this scale (as stated in the book), friendly, warm, and cooperative would describe a high score.

Question 16

_____ uses a technique in which certain behaviors are observed and recorded over a specific period of time.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral assessment is the only option given that specifically mentions observing and recording behaviors over a period of time. The other options (personality inventory, Rorschach, and MMPI-2) involve different types of assessments that do not necessarily involve observation of behavior.

Question 17

The degree to which one handles emotion, overreacts to daily hassles, and sees things as generally positive or generally negative refers to the _____ factor of the five-factor model.

Accepted Answer

The factor that refers to how one handles emotions, overreacts to daily hassles and perceives things as positive or negative is neuroticism, which is one of the five factors in the five-factor model of personality. Agreeableness reflects an individual's level of warmth and cooperation with others, extroversion refers to how outgoing and sociable a person is, and conscientiousness relates to how responsible and organized an individual is.

Question 18

When an individual works to create a particular impression by carefully controlling his or her behavior in an effort to create that desired image, _____ has been utilized.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When an individual works to create a...

Question 19

Christina believes firmly that if she wants good things to come her way, she must work for them to the extent that she can. For this reason, she is volunteering her time at the local food bank. In addition, she is studying extra hard in school in an effort to be admitted into the prestigious social work program she is interested in attending. Christina is demonstrating _____

Accepted Answer

Christina is working hard, setting goals, and doing what is in her power to attain her goals. This exemplifies the internal locus of control.

Question 20

Jerrod's typical attire is that of baggy jeans decorated with chains, t-shirts with sometimes inappropriate phrases on them, and black nail polish. He has recently graduated from college with an engineering degree and is now looking for a job. After sending out many resumes, he received three calls for interviews. Two of the interviews are with large automotive companies, whereas the third is with a small, independent engineering firm. In order to increase his likelihood of getting hired, Jerrod should _____

Accepted Answer

Jerrod should use the interviews as opportunities to make a good impression. By changing his appearance to suit the interview situation, Jerrod is engaging in impression management.

Quiz 11: Personality Theory and Assessment