Question 1

According to your textbook, one possible way genes might influence personality is by affecting ______________.
A) cellular division
B) life expectancy
C) brain chemicals
D) the probability of having twins

Accepted Answer

Genes can influence personality by affecting the production and regulation of brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters, that are involved in mood, motivation, and other aspects of personality. Cellular division and life expectancy are not directly related to personality, and the probability of having twins is not a factor in individual personality differences.

Question 2

Which of the following is true about personality and nonhuman animals?
A) Personality has only been observed in one species of bird, the Parus major.
B) The Big Five personality traits have been found in many different species.
C) Only primates have true personalities.
D) Humans are the only animal with personalities.

Accepted Answer

The Big Five personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) have been found in many different species. Studies have found evidence of these traits in dogs, cats, primates, and even some marine animals. While the concept of personality is still debated in nonhuman animals, research has shown that individual animals can display consistent behaviors and tendencies that could be considered part of their unique personality.

Question 3

A commonly held belief when it comes to romance is that "opposites attract." Which of the following is true about this folk wisdom?
A) It is generally incorrect; humans pair up with those who are most like us.
B) It is generally incorrect; there is no relationship between personality and romantic pairing.
C) It is generally correct; humans pair up with those who dissimilar, but complimentary personalities.
D) It is generally correct; humans pair up with those who have conflicting personalities.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently found that people are more likely to form romantic relationships with those who are similar to them in terms of personality, values, interests, and attitudes, rather than those who are opposite. While some people may have complementary qualities, such as one partner being outgoing and the other being more introverted, overall similarity is the norm.

Question 4

Identical twins reared apart will often have:
A) no more in common than same sex fraternal twins reared apart.
B) dissimilar personalities.
C) similar personalities.
D) no more in common than non-twins.

Accepted Answer

Identical twins have the same genetic makeup, so they are more likely to have similar personalities even if they are raised in different environments. Studies have shown that identical twins reared apart often have similar temperaments, interests, and even mannerisms. While they may have some differences due to their unique experiences, their genetic similarities make them more alike than non-twin siblings or same-sex fraternal twins.

Question 5

Which test or technique would a phrenologist use to access an individual's personality?
A) the MMPI
B) the Rorschach test
C) examining the skull
D) MRI brainscan

Accepted Answer

Phrenology is a pseudoscientific practice that claims personality traits can be determined by examining the shape and size of various bumps and indentations on a person's skull. Thus, a phrenologist would examine the skull to determine personality traits. The other options (A, B, and D) are valid psychological assessment tools, but they are not used in phrenology.

Question 6

According to Eysenck, people who have decreased reactivity the limbic system (the emotional circuits), reticular activating system, and cortex are more likely to be ______________.
A) extraverts
B) neurotic
C) intorverts
D) conscientious

Accepted Answer

Eysenck theorized that extraverts have lower baseline levels of cortical arousal, leading them to seek external stimulation to increase their arousal to an optimal level, which is associated with decreased reactivity in the limbic system, reticular activating system, and cortex.

Question 7

The genetic correlation between identical twins raised in the same household is typically around ______ for all of the big five personality factors.
A) .10
B) .50
C) .80
D) .99

Accepted Answer

The genetic correlation for the big five personality traits among identical twins raised in the same household is typically around .50, indicating a significant genetic component to personality.

Question 8

According to research discussed in your textbook, inheriting short copies of the ______________ transporter gene predisposes people to anxiety, shyness, and negative emotional reactions in interpersonal situations.
A) acetylcholine
B) NMDA
C) dopamine
D) serotonin

Accepted Answer

Inheriting short copies of the serotonin transporter gene predisposes people to anxiety, shyness, and negative emotional reactions in interpersonal situations.

Question 9

An Ancient Roman physician would be most likely to diagnosis a patient with a melancholy (depressed) personality as:
A) having experienced some psychological trauma as a child.
B) an imbalance in the bodily fluids known as humors.
C) caused by physical trauma to the head.
D) having inherited the trait from his or her parents.

Accepted Answer

Ancient Roman physicians believed that a person's physical and emotional health was determined by the balance of four bodily fluids, or humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Melancholy (depression) was believed to be caused by an excess of black bile.

Question 10

Sandra is a fairly quiet and conscientious person who enjoys foreign films. The people she chooses to associate with and interact with on a daily basis would most likely:
A) be much more outgoing than she is.
B) have similar interests and personalities.
C) ridicule her and make her feel uncomfortable.
D) have similar interests, but dissimilar personalities.

Accepted Answer

People tend to gravitate towards individuals who have similar interests and personalities. Therefore, it is most likely that Sandra's close associates share her interests and personality traits.

Question 11

Which of these research methods would a psychologist be likely to employ to study the influence of genetics on personality?
A) examining correlations in personality between pairs of identical and fraternal twins
B) interviewing people who have known others who were particularly odd or unique
C) administering paper and pencil or computerized questionnaires to hundreds of people
D) documenting the patterns of development and difficulties of psychiatric patients

Accepted Answer

Studying correlations in personality between pairs of identical and fraternal twins is a common research method used to study the influence of genetics on personality. Identical twins share 100% of their genes, while fraternal twins share approximately 50% of their genes. By comparing the correlation of personality traits between these two types of twins, psychologists can estimate how much of a role genetics plays in personality.

Question 12

Which research approach is probably the best for exploring the genetic contribution to personality?
A) comparing identical twins who were reared apart
B) comparing children adopted into another family with their siblings who remained with their birth parents
C) comparing fraternal twins
D) comparing identical twins who were raised in the same household

Accepted Answer

The best research approach for exploring the genetic contribution to personality is comparing identical twins who were reared apart. This approach takes into account both genetic and environmental factors, and allows researchers to investigate the extent to which personality is influenced by genetics and the extent to which it is shaped by environmental factors.

Question 13

Assortative mating is a phenomenon in which humans and animals:
A) mate with more than one partner to mask the paternity of the offspring.
B) mate randomly with others to increase genetic variation.
C) choose sexual partners based on their social status.
D) choose sexual partners who are similar to the individual doing the searching.

Accepted Answer

Assortative mating refers to individuals choosing partners who are similar to them in some way, whether it be in physical appearance, personality traits, socio-economic status, or other characteristics. This can lead to an increase in genetic homogeneity within a population, which can have both positive and negative consequences.

Question 14

Of the following, which is the oldest theory of personality?
A) phrenology
B) behaviorism
C) the psychodynamic approach
D) humorism

Accepted Answer

Humorism dates back to ancient Greece and was popularized by Hippocrates and Galen in the 4th century BCE. It was a theory that personality was determined by the balance of bodily fluids or "humors" (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) in a person's body. Phrenology was popularized by Franz Gall in the late 18th century, behaviorism emerged in the early 20th century, and the psychodynamic approach was developed by Sigmund Freud in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Question 15

According to Eysenck, who would have the LEAST reactive reticular activating system?
A) Grace, who likes to read
B) Tucker, who likes to fish
C) Lily, who likes to talk
D) Ben, who likes to surf

Accepted Answer

Eysenck's theory suggests that extroverts have a less reactive reticular activating system, leading them to seek more stimulating activities. Ben, who likes to surf, is likely more extroverted and thus has the least reactive reticular activating system.

Question 16

Several students who joined a book club are discussing how similar their personalities are to one another. They find that they share traits of conscientiousness and introversion. What would a psychologist say about these similarities?
A) They are all reporting personalities that make them seem similar, but are probably really quite different.
B) People with certain personalities may choose particular environments, resulting in people who share an environment might also share some personality characteristics.
C) These students may actually be related to one another.
D) Going to book clubs often leads to conformity with other members of the club.

Accepted Answer

Psychologists would suggest that people with certain personalities may choose particular environments, resulting in people who share an environment might also share some personality characteristics. In this case, the students may have joined the book club because it appeals to their introverted and conscientious personalities, rather than inherently possessing a similar personality.

Question 17

Research suggests that the middle frontal gyrus is more associated with ________________, while the medial orbitofrontal cortext is more associated with ________________.
A) conscientiousness; extraversion
B) extraversion; conscientiousness
C) introversion; conscientiousness
D) conscientiousness; introversion

Accepted Answer

The middle frontal gyrus has been linked to conscientiousness, reflecting traits such as organization and diligence, while the medial orbitofrontal cortex is associated with extraversion, which includes sociability and positive emotions.

Question 18

The presence of two personality types in a particular species of bird has found that ____ birds have greater success when _______.
A) bold; resources are limited
B) timid; resources are limited
C) bold; resources are plentiful
D) both types of; they are social

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that bold birds have greater success in obtaining resources when resources are limited, as they are more likely to take risks and explore new areas. Timid birds may struggle in these conditions as they are more cautious and less likely to take risks.

Question 19

Blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile were collectively known as the four ____________.
A) mood fluids
B) humors
C) secretions
D) life forces

Accepted Answer

Blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile were collectively known as the four humors in ancient Greek and medieval medicine. It was believed that an imbalance of these humors caused disease and illness.

Question 20

According to Eysenck, the reason why some people seek out exciting new social and emotional experiences is that they:
A) require relatively high levels of stimulation to activate certain brain regions.
B) have low baseline adrenaline levels.
C) require relatively low levels of stimulation to activate certain brain regions.
D) have high baseline adrenaline levels.

Accepted Answer

According to Eysenck's theory of introversion and extroversion, extroverts require relatively high levels of stimulation to activate certain brain regions, which makes them seek out new and exciting social and emotional experiences. This is referred to as the arousal theory of motivation.

Quiz 12: Personality

According to your textbook, one possible way genes might influence personality is by affecting ______________.

Which of the following is true about personality and nonhuman animals?

A commonly held belief when it comes to romance is that "opposites attract." Which of the following is true about this folk wisdom?

Identical twins reared apart will often have:

Which test or technique would a phrenologist use to access an individual's personality?

According to Eysenck, people who have decreased reactivity the limbic system (the emotional circuits) , reticular activating system, and cortex are more likely to be ______________.

The genetic correlation between identical twins raised in the same household is typically around ______ for all of the big five personality factors.

According to research discussed in your textbook, inheriting short copies of the ______________ transporter gene predisposes people to anxiety, shyness, and negative emotional reactions in interpersonal situations.

An Ancient Roman physician would be most likely to diagnosis a patient with a melancholy (depressed) personality as:

Sandra is a fairly quiet and conscientious person who enjoys foreign films. The people she chooses to associate with and interact with on a daily basis would most likely:

Which of these research methods would a psychologist be likely to employ to study the influence of genetics on personality?

Which research approach is probably the best for exploring the genetic contribution to personality?

Assortative mating is a phenomenon in which humans and animals:

Of the following, which is the oldest theory of personality?

According to Eysenck, who would have the LEAST reactive reticular activating system?

Several students who joined a book club are discussing how similar their personalities are to one another. They find that they share traits of conscientiousness and introversion. What would a psychologist say about these similarities?

Research suggests that the middle frontal gyrus is more associated with , while the medial orbitofrontal cortext is more associated with .

The presence of two personality types in a particular species of bird has found that birds have greater success when ___.

Blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile were collectively known as the four ____________.

According to Eysenck, the reason why some people seek out exciting new social and emotional experiences is that they: