Question 1

Your textbook discusses a research study that attempted to test the ability of graphologists to distinguish among three groups of people based on their handwriting. The three groups were:

Accepted Answer

The three groups in this study were successful and unsuccessful secretaries, actors and monks, and librarians and entrepreneurs.

Question 2

Shelly was assessed at a career counseling service using a self-report test that determined her personality type was introverted, sensing, feeling, and perceiving (ISFP). Shelly has been given the:

Accepted Answer

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a self-report test commonly used in career counseling to help individuals understand their personality type and how it may relate to their career interests and preferences. The ISFP personality type is one of the possible outcomes on the MBTI, which is why it is the best choice for Shelly's assessment. The Rorschach Inkblot Test and Thematic Apperception Test are projective tests that focus on unconscious dynamics and are not typically used for career counseling. The California Personality Inventory may be used for vocational guidance, but it measures broader personality traits compared to the MBTI's focus on personality type.

Question 3

Duran showed his patient Adam a series of cards, each of which depicted an ambiguous scene, such as two people talking on a park bench, or an older woman looking over a young woman's shoulder. Dr. Duran asked Adam to tell him a story about the picture. What test is Dr. Duran using?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Duran is using the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), which involves showing ambiguous scenes and asking the participant to tell a story about the picture. The stories can reveal underlying motives, conflicts, and personality traits. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality questionnaire, the Rorschach Inkblot Test involves showing inkblots and asking the participant what they see, and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a clinical assessment tool used to diagnose mental health conditions.

Question 4

The type of personality test that involves people responding to specific questions and comparing the responses to established norms collected on large groups of people is called a:

Accepted Answer

A self-report inventory asks individuals to respond to specific questions about their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and then compare those responses to established norms. This type of test is commonly used to measure personality traits and can help identify areas of strength and weakness in a person's character. Projective tests involve presenting individuals with ambiguous stimuli and asking them to project their own thoughts and feelings onto the stimuli, making them less reliable and objective. Personality type indicator tests categorize individuals into pre-determined personality types, which can be limiting and overly simplistic. Graphology tests analyze an individual's handwriting to make inferences about their personality, despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting their validity.

Question 5

Romero asked her patient, Glen, to study a brightly colored image made by an inkblot on a card. She asked Glen to tell her what he "saw" in the image and took careful notes of his descriptions. What test is Dr. Romero using?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Romero is using the Rorschach Inkblot Test, which involves showing a series of inkblot images and asking the patient to describe what they see. The Thematic Apperception Test (A) involves showing pictures of ambiguous social situations and asking the patient to create a story about what is happening. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (B) is a personality questionnaire that assesses an individual's preferences in four dimensions: introversion/extroversion, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (D) is a standardized self-report questionnaire that assesses mental health, personality traits, and psychopathology.

Question 6

A self-report inventory that determines a person's personality type by measuring his or her preferred way of dealing with information, making decisions, and interacting with others is called the:

Accepted Answer

The MBTI is specifically designed to determine a person's personality type based on their preferred way of dealing with information, making decisions, and interacting with others. The other options focus on different aspects of personality assessment or do not specifically measure these factors.

Question 7

Identify the personality test that was originally developed by Raymond Cattell and that is based upon Cattell's trait theory.

Accepted Answer

The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) was developed by Raymond Cattell and is based upon his trait theory, which identifies 16 different personality traits that can be assessed through the questionnaire. The other options listed were developed by different researchers and are not based upon Cattell's theory or work.

Question 8

Serena's psychologist asked her to look carefully at several ambiguous images and say what she sees in the images. Serena's psychologist is using what kind of personality test?

Accepted Answer

The psychologist is using projective tests that involve ambiguous stimuli, such as inkblots or pictures, which require the person to project their own interpretations, feelings, or thoughts onto them. These tests are designed to reveal unconscious aspects of the person's personality, attitudes, or motives, which may be hidden or repressed. Graphology tests involve analyzing a person's handwriting for personality traits, while personality type inventories and self-report inventories are more structured tests that use standardized questionnaires to measure specific traits or dimensions of personality.

Question 9

Two self-report inventories that were originally designed to assess the personality characteristics of normal populations are the:

Accepted Answer

The California Personality Inventory (CPI) and the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) were both designed to assess personality characteristics of normal populations. The MMPI and MBTI were designed for different purposes and populations, and the TAT is a projective test rather than a self-report inventory.

Question 10

Your textbook describes a research study that was designed to test the ability of graphologists to use handwriting samples to distinguish among occupational groups. What were the results of this study?

Accepted Answer

The study found that the graphologists predicted they would be 100 percent accurate in distinguishing among occupational groups, but their overall performance was only slightly better than that of untrained evaluators. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. The other options are not mentioned as results of the study.

Question 11

This figure shows a comparison between the personality profiles of airline pilots and writers. Which of the following personality tests was used for this comparison?

Accepted Answer

The Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) measures a wide range of personality traits and has been used in studies comparing personality profiles in different professions, such as pilots and writers. The other three options, the California Personality Inventory (CPI), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), are also personality tests but are less commonly used for this type of comparison.

Question 12

Klein frequently uses the _____ in her clinical practice to generate personality profiles on 16 dimensions of personality, especially when she is counseling marital partners.

Accepted Answer

The 16PF (16 Personality Factors) is a comprehensive personality inventory developed by Raymond Cattell, which measures personality traits on 16 dimensions. This test is frequently used by clinicians like Klein, especially in the context of marital counseling, to generate personality profiles of individuals involved in the relationship. The other options, CPI (California Personality Inventory), MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory), and MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), are also popular personality tests used in different contexts, but they are not specifically mentioned in the given scenario.

Question 13

According to your textbook, the most widely used self-report inventory is the:

Accepted Answer

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, or MMPI, is the most widely used self-report inventory. It has over 500 true/false questions and is used to assess personality and psychological disorders. The other options listed are projective tests that rely on individuals interpreting ambiguous stimuli.

Question 14

Any psychological test is useful insofar as it achieves which of the following goals?

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of any psychological test is to predict a person's future psychological functioning or behavior. While including child and adult samples in the standardization process, having subjective criteria and being quick to administer and score are beneficial aspects, they are not the primary goal of psychological tests.

Question 15

What type of personality test involves the interpreting of an ambiguous image and is used to assess unconscious motives and conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Projective tests involve presenting an ambiguous image or situation to a person and asking them to interpret or respond to it. This can reveal unconscious motives, conflicts, and personality traits. Examples of projective tests include the Rorschach inkblot test and the Thematic Apperception Test. Self-report inventories, personality type inventories, and graphology tests do not involve interpreting ambiguous images.

Question 16

The two basic types of personality tests are:

Accepted Answer

The two basic types of personality tests are projective tests, which involve interpreting ambiguous stimuli, and self-report inventories, where individuals report on their own behaviors and feelings.

Question 17

Graphology is:

Accepted Answer

Graphology is widely considered a pseudoscience as there is a lack of empirical evidence supporting its claims that handwriting can reveal personality traits, temperament, intelligence, and other personal attributes.

Question 18

Harkins is interested in using several psychological tests in a study assessing the stability of personality traits from childhood into middle adulthood. What should Dr. Harkins keep in mind as he selects tests for his research?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Harkins should prioritize selecting tests that are reliable and valid, meaning they accurately and consistently reflect each participant's characteristics on some dimension. This will ensure that the study's findings are accurate and dependable. Choice B is not relevant to the selection of psychological tests, as the age of a test is not necessarily indicative of its effectiveness. Choice C is not ideal, as subjective interpretation can introduce bias and reduce the reliability of the study's results. Choice D may limit the types of tests available and is not necessarily relevant to the study's needs.

Question 19

The research study described in your text tested the ability of graphologists to discriminate among people in different occupations because graphologists claim to have special expertise in the area of predicting:

Accepted Answer

The research study described in the text tested the ability of graphologists to discriminate among people in different occupations, implying that graphologists claim to be able to predict which job applicant will be successful in a particular occupation. Therefore, the correct option is A.

Question 20

Kildare gave his patient a lengthy test that involved more than 500 questions. The patient was instructed to respond to each statement with either "True," "False," or "Cannot say." Dr. Kildare told his patient that the test would be scored by computer, but that he would analyze the results and discuss them with her. Most likely, Dr. Kildare's patient has taken which personality test?

Accepted Answer

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a psychological test that involves more than 500 true/false and cannot say questions. The test is scored by computer and is often used to assess personality traits and psychological disorders. Additionally, Dr. Kildare mentions that he will analyze the results and discuss them with the patient, which is a common practice for the MMPI.

Quiz 10: Section 2: Personality