Question 1

Freud's contemporaries were uncomfortable with his theory for all of the following reasons, EXCEPT his argument that

Accepted Answer

Freud's contemporaries were uncomfortable with his theory primarily because he argued that people's behavior is governed by unconscious factors of which they are unaware, that adult personalities are shaped by childhood experiences and other factors beyond their control, and that he emphasized how people cope with their sexual urges. They did not necessarily disagree with the idea that individuals are masters of their own minds.

Question 2

Michael is an executive for a major corporation. He constantly needs to find ways to meet the corporation's goals and objectives while taking into consideration factors such as laws and financial resources. In making these decisions, Michael is acting most like the portion of the personality that Freud referred to as

Accepted Answer

The ego is the portion of the personality that is responsible for mediating between the demands of the id (instinctual drives) and the constraints of reality, such as laws and financial resources. Michael's role as an executive requires him to make decisions that balance the corporation's goals and objectives with practical considerations, which is a function of the ego.

Question 3

The variety of modern psychodynamic theories of personality all derive from the work of which of the following individuals?

Accepted Answer

Sigmund Freud is considered the founder of psychodynamic theory and his work has been the basis for the development of various modern psychodynamic theories of personality.

Question 4

According to Freud, which of the following is entirely unconscious?

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, the id is entirely unconscious and contains the instinctual drives and operates on the pleasure principle. The ego and superego also have unconscious components, but they also have conscious awareness. The self is a broader term that encompasses conscious and unconscious aspects of the individual's identity.

Question 5

Cari often has temper tantrums and pouts when she can't have her own way. She often behaves impulsively and becomes extremely impatient if she can't have the things that she wants immediately. According to Freud's view of the personality, Cari's personality appears to be dominated by

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's theory of personality, the id is the instinctual and primitive part of the psyche that operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification of desires without concern for consequences or social norms. Cari's impulsive and tantrum-prone behavior suggests that she is driven by her id impulses rather than her ego or superego.

Question 6

Which level of awareness contains material just beneath the surface of awareness that can easily be retrieved?

Accepted Answer

The preconscious level of awareness contains material that is just beneath the surface of awareness and can easily be retrieved, such as memories or knowledge that we are not currently thinking about but can easily bring to mind.

Question 7

According to Freud, the ____ is "like a man on horseback who has to hold in check the superior strength of the horse."

Accepted Answer

Freud described the ego as having the job of managing the conflicting demands of the id and the superego, similar to a rider controlling a powerful horse. The id represents our primitive, instinctual desires and drives, while the superego represents our internalized moral standards and ideals. The ego's job is to find a balance between these two opposing forces and to make decisions that are rational and realistic.

Question 8

Sigmund Freud's method for treating disorders is called

Accepted Answer

Sigmund Freud's method for treating disorders is called psychoanalysis.

Question 9

Hopefully, right now the words in this exam question are in your ____ awareness.

Accepted Answer

The words in this exam question are currently in your conscious awareness, as you are actively reading and processing them. The preconscious refers to information that is not currently in conscious awareness but can be easily brought to mind, while the unconscious and subconscious refer to deeper levels of processing and awareness that are not immediately accessible.

Question 10

Finding ways to meet instinctual needs and still take into account the conditions of the external, social world defines the ____, the basic operating theme of the ____.

Accepted Answer

The reality principle refers to the ability to satisfy instinctual needs while taking into account the external, social world. This is a function of the ego, which is responsible for mediating between the id's instinctual drives and the external world's demands. The pleasure principle refers to the id's desire for immediate gratification without regard for external conditions. Therefore, the best choice is B, as it accurately describes the role of the ego in balancing instinctual needs with the demands of the external world.

Question 11

Howard sets extremely high standards for both himself and others. He tends to be rigid and inflexible and rarely allows himself to enjoy life. Freud would probably conclude that Howard is dominated by

Accepted Answer

Howard's behavior suggests that he is dominated by his superego, which enforces rigid moral standards and expectations for behavior. The superego is often associated with perfectionism and self-criticism, which could explain Howard's high standards and lack of enjoyment in life. The other options are less likely explanations for Howard's behavior.

Question 12

Which of Freud's personality components is suggested to engage in secondary-process thinking?

Accepted Answer

The ego is suggested to engage in secondary-process thinking, which involves rational and logical thinking to make decisions and problem solve. The id operates on primary-process thinking which is more impulsive and driven by immediate gratification, while the superego is concerned with morality and values.

Question 13

The portion of the personality that mediates between instinctual demands and the world of reality is the

Accepted Answer

The ego is the portion of the personality that mediates between instinctual demands (id) and the world of reality, meaning it helps us to navigate the demands of our instincts in a socially acceptable way. The superego represents our internalized moral standards and societal norms, while the id represents our innate, primitive desires and drives. The ego operates in a rational, practical manner to find a balance between the demands of the id and the constraints of the superego. Therefore, the ego is the best choice for this question.

Question 14

According to psychoanalytic theory, a person who is conservative, strict, and moralistic is strongly influenced by her

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic theory suggests that the superego is the part of the personality that operates on the morality principle, incorporating the rules, values, and beliefs of society. As a result, a person who is highly conservative, strict, and moralistic is likely to be influenced by their superego, which promotes adherence to societal norms and values.

Question 15

The thoughts, memories, and desires you have that you do not realize you have are in your ____ awareness.

Accepted Answer

The unconscious mind is a reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that are outside of our conscious awareness. The unconscious mind influences our behavior and experiences, even though we are unaware of these underlying influences.

Question 16

Primary process thinking is associated with the ____, and secondary process thinking is associated with the ____.

Accepted Answer

Primary process thinking is associated with the id, which is the part of the personality that contains our most primitive drives or urges, and operates according to the pleasure principle. Secondary process thinking is associated with the ego, which operates according to the reality principle, dealing with the external world in a more rational, logical manner.

Question 17

Id is to pleasure principle as

Accepted Answer

The pleasure principle is the driving force for the id, which seeks immediate gratification of all desires and urges. The ego, on the other hand, operates on the reality principle which seeks to satisfy the id's desires in a realistic and socially acceptable way. The superego, which operates on the morality principle, serves as the internalized voice of society and one's own morality, guiding behavior according to ethical and moral standards. Therefore, choice D, where ego is to reality principle, is the best match.

Question 18

Sarah is torn between the need to study for an exam and her desire to go out with her friends. She decides that she will go out later only if she completes her studying. This realistic decision reflects the functioning of Sarah's

Accepted Answer

Sarah's decision to delay gratification and prioritize her studying before going out with friends reflects the functioning of her ego, which mediates between the demands of the id (seeking pleasure and avoiding pain) and the constraints of the superego (internalized moral standards).

Question 19

Psychoanalytic theory stresses all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Psychoanalytic theory is known for stressing childhood experiences, internal conflicts, and the handling of sexual impulses. However, it emphasizes unconscious thought patterns rather than conscious thought patterns.

Question 20

Ego is to reality principle as

Accepted Answer

The ego operates based on the reality principle, which means it functions to find realistic and practical ways to meet one's needs in the real world. The superego, on the other hand, is responsible for internalizing and enforcing moral standards and values. Therefore, the superego is to the moral compass.

Quiz 23: Personality: Theory, Research, and Assessment Part 1