Deck 14: Personality

Question 1

Correlations for personality traits between twins are always less than 1.0, even among identical twins. What conclusion have researchers drawn from this evidence?

A) Genes do not influence personality.
B) Shared environment is a stronger influence on personality.
C) Non-shared environment must exert influence on personality.
D) Twins are not as genetically similar as previously thought.

Answer 1

Non-shared environment must exert influence on personality.

Question 2

According to the authors, ________ is both the most worshipped and the most widely criticized personality theorist.

A) Sigmund Freud
B) Gordon Allport
C) Abraham Maslow
D) B. F. Skinner

Answer 2

Sigmund Freud

Question 3

Initially, Freud believed that mental disorders were due to ___________ causes, but his views changed to reflect __________ causes for mental disorders following his work with hysteria patients.

A) psychogenic; somatogenic
B) physiological; psychological
C) neurological; physiological
D) psychological; neurological

Answer 3

physiological; psychological

Question 4

Your friend sets you up on a blind date. When you meet this person for coffee, they tell you they are introverted and haven't had much luck meeting potential dating partners without the help of friends. Your date has given you a description of ______________.

A) their overall personality
B) a schema
C) their defence mechanisms
D) one of their personality traits

Question 5

Results of several studies comparing twins that were reared apart or reared together have concluded that

A) shared environments play a critical role in accounting for the variance in personalities of twins.
B) environmental influences are stronger determinants of the manifestation of personality than genetics.
C) nonshared environmental influences alter personality more than shared environmental influences.
D) shared environment plays little or no role in adult personality.

Question 6

Which personality trait has been linked to genetic markers in the dopamine system?

A) Anxiety proneness
B) Novelty seeking
C) Extraversion
D) Emotional well-being

Question 7

If a parent treats both of her children poorly and neglects their needs, and as a consequence they both end up with low self-esteem and difficulties forming close relationships, the parenting in this case is a _________________ factor.

A) genetic
B) shared environmental
C) psychosocial
D) nonshared environmental

Question 8

Our typical ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving correspond to our _____________.

A) personality
B) schemas
C) defence mechanisms
D) traits

Question 9

What is one of the main conclusions from adoption research concerning the effects of genes and environment on personality?

A) Living together doesn't lead to much similarity in personality between parents and offspring.
B) The environmental influences of the adoptive home exert a stronger influence on personality than genetic ones.
C) Adopted children are more similar to their adoptive parents, but only if they were adopted prior to the age of 2.
D) Personality traits of biological parents are unrelated to the personality traits of children they gave up for adoption.

Question 10

What types of studies have been used to attempt to pinpoint which genes are associated with specific personality traits?

A) Family studies
B) Adoption studies
C) Twin studies
D) Molecular genetic studies

Question 11

What is the goal of using the nomothetic approach to studying personality?

A) seeking general principles across a wide range of people
B) investigating unique experiences for individuals
C) focusing on low-level, molecular or genetic influences
D) focusing on high-level, social or societal influences

Question 12

If a parent treats one child more affectionately than another, and as a consequence this child ends up with higher self-esteem, the parenting in this case is a _________________ factor.

A) genetic
B) shared environmental
C) psychosocial
D) nonshared environmental

Question 13

Brian is a middle-aged conservative male who doesn't like change and supports the status quo. His brother, Ed, on the other hand, favours radical ideas and is a proponent of dramatic social change and action. Based on these details, according to Sulloway's research on birth order and attitudes, Brian is likely to be a ___________ whereas Ed would likely be a __________.

A) later-born; firstborn
B) middle-born; later-born
C) firstborn; later-born
D) firstborn; middle-born

Question 14

Which of the following results demonstrates that shared environment plays very little role in adult personality?

A) Fraternal twins reared apart are less similar than fraternal twins reared together.
B) Identical twins reared together are more similar than fraternal twins reared together.
C) Identical twins tend to be more similar than fraternal twins.
D) Identical twins reared apart are as similar as identical twins reared together.

Question 15

Which of the following pairs are most likely to have similar personalities?

A) Adoptive parent and child
B) Biological parent and child
C) Fraternal twins
D) Identical twins

Question 16

Freud's early beliefs that mental disorders were physiologically caused largely stemmed from his training as a ______________.

A) neurologist
B) psychologist
C) mentalist
D) psychophysicist

Question 17

Molecular genetic studies suggest that there may be associations between genes that control various neurotransmitter systems and subsequent personality (i.e., dopamine and novelty seeking). However, these studies suffer from __________________ and should be interpreted with caution.

A) the confirmation bias
B) a lack of replication
C) illusory correlations
D) falsifiability

Question 18

A research who collects narrative reports of people's lives, and create case studies to examine the effects of life experiences on personality would be using which approach?

A) behavioural genetic
B) quantitative
C) idiographic
D) nomothetic

Question 19

Relatively enduring predispositions that influence our behaviour across many situations are called _____________.

A) personalities
B) schemas
C) defence mechanisms
D) traits

Question 20

Psychologists believe that personality is largely the result of

A) parental and peer influences.
B) multiple factors.
C) responses to life stressors.
D) genetics.

Question 21

Freud's theory of personality is most focused on the causes of personality within the ________ mind.

A) conscious
B) unconscious
C) preconscious
D) split

Question 22

According to Freud, the child is born into the world with a psyche equipped with

A) an id.
B) an ego.
C) a superego.
D) an id and ego.

Question 23

According to Freud, which portion of personality balances our urges with reality?

A) ego
B) superego
C) alter ego
D) id

Question 24

Which component of a person's personality contains the sex drive, or libido?

A) Ego
B) Superego
C) Alter ego
D) Id

Question 25

The pleasure principle is associated with which element of Freud's personality theory?

A) Ego
B) Superego
C) Alter ego
D) Id

Question 26

Many have compared Freud's idea of the mind to an iceberg. If that were the case, what part of the mind would you see above the water?

A) Ego
B) Superego
C) Preconscious
D) Id

Question 27

The id is motivated by the desire for

A) moral perfection.
B) social acceptability.
C) free will.
D) immediate gratification.

Question 28

The Freudian idea of "psychic determinism" implies that

A) unconscious desires and urges drive human behaviour.
B) any psychological event has an underlying cause.
C) childhood experiences determine adult adjustment.
D) no action is ever meaningless.

Question 29

What is Freud's term for the executive of the personality that has a realistic plan for obtaining gratification of an individual's desires?

A) Ego
B) Superego
C) Alter ego
D) Id

Question 30

Which theory of personality is most concerned with understanding people's unconscious motivations?

A) Psychoanalytic
B) Humanist
C) Trait
D) Behavioural

Question 31

You are quite hungry but don't have any money. If you were to rely on only your id, then according to Freud what would you do?

A) Distract yourself with images of food
B) Steal a hot dog from the vendor on the corner
C) Run all the way home to get something to eat as soon as possible
D) Use the defence mechanism of denial to thwart the hunger pangs until an appropriate meal can be obtained

Question 32

Miranda is a psychoanalytic theorist who uses this perspective to guide her therapeutic treatment of psychological disorders. As a result, she is most likely to focus on understanding her clients'

A) conscious motivations.
B) patterns of thinking and behaving.
C) symbolic dream imagery.
D) desire for personal growth.

Question 33

For Freud, the mind is divided into ___ levels.

A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5

Question 34

In Sigmund Freud's theory, the _______ operates according to the pleasure principle.

A) ego
B) superego
C) alter ego
D) id

Question 35

"If it feels good, do it" best describes Freud's concept of the

A) ego.
B) superego.
C) alter ego.
D) id.

Question 36

Which of the following is one of the core assumptions of Freud's psychoanalytic theory?

A) Behavioural contingencies
B) Inferiority complexes
C) Collective unconscious
D) Psychic determinism

Question 37

Jessie becomes furious when her favourite hockey player is intentionally hurt by an opponent. According to Freud's model of the mind, her id would unconsciously say

A) "I need to calm down."
B) "It's OK, we're still winning the game!"
C) "Why are you upset? You didn't get hurt."
D) "Let's get revenge!"

Question 38

According to Freud, rationality and logical thinking and reasoning are controlled by the

A) ego.
B) superego.
C) alter ego.
D) id.

Question 39

Which object is commonly used as an analogy for Freud's view of the mind?

A) A triangle
B) An inkblot
C) An iceberg
D) A horoscope

Question 40

For Freud, the only personality structure that would be present at birth is the

A) ego.
B) superego.
C) alter ego.
D) id.

Question 41

A personality that consisted of only the ego and the id would be completely

A) illogical.
B) selfless.
C) rational.
D) amoral.

Question 42

Your text refers to the metaphor of a person with an 'angel' on one shoulder and a 'devil' on the other. In this metaphor, what is represented by the devil?

A) superego.
B) ego.
C) alter ego.
D) id.

Question 43

The ego operates according to the

A) guilt principle.
B) reality principle.
C) reflex principle.
D) pleasure principle.

Question 44

According to Freudian theories, the purpose of dreaming is for ____________ and involves the expressions of the _____________.

A) wish fulfillment; id
B) catharsis; superego
C) wish fulfillment; ego
D) catharsis; ego

Question 45

According to Freud, the reality principle is

A) the way in which the ego tries to manage the id's desires within a the real world.
B) the way in which the id tries to obtain gratification and avoid pain.
C) the way in which the ego ideal establishes standards of what one would like to be.
D) the way in which young children instinctively seek self-actualization.

Question 46

Your text refers to the metaphor of a person with an 'angel' on one shoulder and a 'devil' on the other. In this metaphor, what is represented by the angel?

A) superego.
B) ego.
C) alter ego.
D) id.

Question 47

Freud argued that forget unhappy memories of childhood to avoid they pain they produce, and this provided evidence that ____________ was a defence mechanism that we all experience.

A) sublimation
B) displacement
C) repression
D) projection

Question 48

Alexander just finished the most difficult exam he has ever taken. When asked the next day by his mother how the exam went, Alexander tells her that he cannot remember a single thing from the previous two days. This experience is most similar to which Freudian defence mechanism?

A) Repression
B) Denial
C) Projection
D) Displacement

Question 49

According to Freud, which structure serves as the moral component of one's personality?

A) Superego
B) Ego
C) Id
D) The actual self

Question 50

There were three friends. Harry was rational, logical, and cunning. Hermione was rule-oriented, moral, and always ethical. Ron was pleasure-seeking, found it hard to delay gratification, and usually just did what he wanted. According to Freud, Hermione was mostly ___________.

A) ego
B) superego
C) alter ego
D) id

Question 51

As you are preparing for your biology exam, you notice two of your classmates in the library. After going to talk with them you discover they are planning to use a cheat sheet during tomorrow's exam. What part of your personality would cause you to feel ashamed or guilty for knowing this information?

A) The superego
B) The actual self
C) The ego
D) The id

Question 52

According to Freud, which of the following is essential for psychological health?

A) sex
B) aggression
C) defence mechanisms
D) wish fulfillment

Question 53

There were three friends. Harry was rational, logical, and cunning. Hermione was rule-oriented, moral, and always ethical. Ron was pleasure-seeking, found it hard to delay gratification, and usually just did what he wanted. According to Freud, Ron was mostly

A) ego.
B) superego.
C) alter ego.
D) id.

Question 54

The ________ seeks to find a resolution between the competing demands of the ________.

A) ego; id and superego
B) superego; id and ego
C) superego; alter ego and ego
D) id; ego and superego

Question 55

There were three friends. Harry was rational, logical, and cunning. Hermione was rule-oriented, moral, and always ethical. Ron was pleasure seeking, found it hard to delay gratification, and usually just did what he wanted. According to Freud, Harry was mostly ____________.

A) ego
B) superego
C) alter ego
D) id

Question 56

An individual operating on the reality principle seeks

A) immediate gratification.
B) perfect accomplishments.
C) to reveal unconscious motivations.
D) rational means for obtaining gratification.

Question 57

According to Freud, what is the result of conflict between the id and the superego?

A) anxiety
B) psychosis
C) depression
D) paranoia

Question 58

What is Freud's term for the unconscious efforts by the ego to deny or distort reality for the purpose of protecting itself when internal conflict becomes too intense?

A) Superego
B) Coping techniques
C) Disordered thinking
D) Defence mechanisms

Question 59

In Freud's theory, the id is to fun as the superego is to

A) guilt.
B) pride
C) rules.
D) freedom.

Question 60

If someone has a very strong superego, then which of the following emotions will they experience often?

A) joy
B) disgust
C) satisfaction
D) guilt

Question 61

Dakota is trying to deal with the death of her dog, and keeps telling others that the dog must just be sleeping and she will be awake soon. This is an example of what Freudian defence mechanism?

A) Projection
B) Displacement
C) Rationalization
D) Denial

Question 62

A newborn baby is in what stage of psychosexual development, according to Freudian theory?

A) Latency stage
B) Anal stage
C) Oral stage
D) Phallic stage

Question 63

Allison finds that when she is stressed out, she is most comfortable curled up in her bed with laying with her favourite soft blanket that she had as a child. This is an example of what Freudian defence mechanism?

A) Repression
B) Displacement
C) Sublimation
D) Regression

Question 64

Kelly is known for accusing others of cheating during games, but she herself is very prone to cheating. Which of the following Freudian defence mechanisms is reflected by Kelly's behaviour?

A) Displacement
B) Sublimation
C) Projection
D) Reaction-formation

Question 65

Shaylyn is a toll-booth operator. She nearly always has an hourly encounter with a motorist who berates and belittles her because they are upset about traffic, they don't have enough change, or they are just unhappy that day. As a result, when she gets home Shaylyn often yells at her roommates and slams cabinet doors closed when she can't find what she wants. She is displaying classic symptoms of

A) regression.
B) displacement.
C) sublimation.
D) projection.

Question 66

Geoffrey is a clinical psychologist who is separated from his wife and is in the process of filing for divorce. Whenever his friends or colleagues ask Geoffrey to talk about it or attempt to cheer him up, he focuses on the statistical evidence about the likelihood of divorce, clinical experience he has had, and anything but his emotions and the pain of the marriage ending. Freud would say that Geoffrey is displaying

A) projection.
B) displacement.
C) intellectualization.
D) repression.

Question 67

Sigmund Freud's psychosexual stages focus on several parts of the body identified as

A) focal zones.
B) erogenous zones.
C) pleasure zones.
D) unconscious zones.

Question 68

What did Sigmund Freud believe could happen if our needs were delayed at a particular psychosexual stage?

A) We would become fixated at that stage.
B) We would revert to our biological predispositions.
C) We would be more capable of overcoming the obstacle in adulthood.
D) We could become overly dependent on the superego for future guidance.

Question 69

______________ involves the motivated forgetting of distressing external (rather than internal) experiences.

A) Denial
B) Sublimation
C) Repression
D) Displacement

Question 70

Concerned with his own academic flaws and weaknesses, Preston often aggressively lashes out at his instructors on anonymous class teaching evaluations, writing that they don't really know what they're doing. This is an example of what Freudian defence mechanism?

A) Reaction formation
B) Projection
C) Intellectualization
D) Displacement

Question 71

Every time she is afraid or nervous (but is not necessarily consciously aware of these feelings), Brandy starts to laugh and has difficulty controlling her laughter. This is an example of what Freudian defence mechanism?

A) Displacement
B) Reaction-formation
C) Denial
D) Sublimation

Question 72

Some research has found that males with high levels of homophobia show significantly greater increases sexual arousal when shown homoerotic images. According to Freud, this demonstrates the defence mechanism of _____________ as these males may harbour unconscious homosexual impulses that they find unacceptable and transform them into a conscious dislike of homosexuality.

A) displacement.
B) reaction-formation.
C) sublimation.
D) projection.

Question 73

A married woman is sexually attracted to her coworker, so she focuses on all the things she hates about him and tells others about how revolting he is. This woman is using the defence mechanism of

A) displacement.
B) reaction-formation.
C) sublimation.
D) projection.

Question 74

In an old fable, a fox is unable to obtain some grapes that he truly wishes to have. However, after failing to obtain them, he says that he never really wanted the grapes in the first place, and they're likely sour. This behaviour is most consistent with the defence mechanism of

A) rationalization.
B) sublimation.
C) displacement.
D) intellectualization.

Question 75

Which Freudian defence mechanism turns a socially unacceptable impulse into an admired goal.

A) Displacement
B) Sublimation
C) Projection
D) Denial

Question 76

According to Freud's theory of psychosexual development, there are ________ stages that each person must pass through between birth and adulthood.

A) 3
B) 5
C) 7
D) 8

Question 77

According to Freud, during the first 18 months of life the dominant source of sensual pleasure is the

A) genitals.
B) hands.
C) mouth.
D) anus.

Question 78

Liz explains to herself that she failed the exam because there simply wasn't enough time to prepare. This reasonable-sounding explanation is similar to which Freudian defence mechanism?

A) Sublimation
B) Intellectualization
C) Rationalization
D) Reaction formation

Question 79

Whenever Olivia feels badly about an exam performance she visits the professor and breaks down into tears. As the professor attempts to console her, she is reminded of her childhood when her mother would comfort her whenever she was upset. Sigmund Freud would say that Olivia is using ________ to alleviate her anxieties about her academic abilities.

A) displacement
B) regression
C) sublimation
D) projection

Question 80

Oscar redirects his aggressive and violent urges into a lucrative career as a professional boxer. This is an example of what Freudian defence mechanism?

A) Displacement
B) Rationalization
C) Sublimation
D) Projection