Question 1

DeYoung,Peterson,and Higgins (2005)tested 175 male and female university students on Big Five personality tests,neuropsychological tests that measured prefrontal cortex function,and tests of general intelligence.They found that the personality trait _________ correlated significantly with the measure of prefrontal cortex function and with the measures of intelligence.

Accepted Answer

DeYoung, Peterson, and Higgins (2005) found that Openness correlated significantly with the measure of prefrontal cortex function and with the measures of intelligence.

Question 2

Beliefs about one's ability to perform behaviours needed to achieve a desired outcome are called self-_________.

Accepted Answer

Self-efficacy refers to one's beliefs about their ability to perform certain behaviors in order to achieve a desired outcome. Self-esteem refers to one's overall evaluation of oneself, while determination refers to the level of commitment and persistence in pursuing a goal. Verification is not related to beliefs about one's abilities.

Question 3

The results from the Albert Bandura and Daniel Cervone (1983)study showing the importance of both setting goals and of receiving performance feedback are most relevant to which goal-setting guideline? Set:

Accepted Answer

The study by Bandura and Cervone emphasized the importance of setting specific, behavioural, and measurable goals and receiving performance feedback in order to enhance motivation and performance. Therefore, the results are most relevant to the goal-setting guideline of setting specific, behavioural, and measurable goals (Option A).

Question 4

Albert Bandura and Daniel Cervone (1983)found that performance on a strenuous bicycling task was highest when the participants:

Accepted Answer

According to Albert Bandura and Daniel Cervone (1983), performance on a strenuous bicycling task was highest when the participants both set goals and received feedback. This indicates that goal-setting and feedback are important factors in enhancing performance. Setting goals provides direction and motivation, while feedback helps individuals monitor their progress towards their goals and make necessary adjustments.

Question 5

According to the text,the most important determinant of self-efficacy is:

Accepted Answer

The text states that performance experiences are the most important determinant of self-efficacy, meaning that the more previous successful experiences one has had, the more confident they will feel in their ability to perform a similar task in the future. This is supported by Bandura's concept of mastery experiences, which involves gaining confidence and building self-efficacy by successfully completing tasks and challenges.

Question 6

Locus of control refers to:

Accepted Answer

Locus of control refers to an individual's beliefs about how much control they have over the events that happen in their life. It can be categorized as internal or external. Internal locus of control refers to the belief that one's actions and efforts directly determine the outcomes in their life, while external locus of control refers to the belief that external factors such as luck, chance, or other people's actions determine the outcomes in their life.

Question 7

Which of the following is one of the six principles for effective goal setting?

Accepted Answer

Setting short-range and long-term goals helps to provide direction and focus, and allows for monitoring progress and adjusting strategies as needed. The other options (A, C, D) are not effective principles for goal setting.

Question 8

Consider the following statement: The average citizen can have an influence in government decisions.Whether or not a person agrees or disagrees with this statement would provide information most relevant to which psychological concept?

Accepted Answer

The concept of internal-external locus of control refers to an individual's belief in their ability to control events in their life. If someone believes that they have an internal locus of control (meaning they believe their actions can influence outcomes), they are more likely to agree with the statement that the average citizen can have an influence in government decisions. If someone has an external locus of control (meaning they believe that events are outside of their control), they may be more likely to disagree with the statement. Therefore, whether or not someone agrees or disagrees with the statement provides information about their belief in their own ability to influence government decisions.

Question 9

Hugh has a strong belief that he can run fast for his track meet tomorrow,but he doesn't know whether he'll win.It seems Hugh has:

Accepted Answer

Hugh has a strong belief in his ability to run fast, which indicates high self-efficacy. Self-efficacy refers to one's belief in their ability to successfully complete tasks and achieve goals. The fact that Hugh is unsure if he'll win does not diminish his belief in his own abilities.

Question 10

Jessie has had a long-term phobia of heights.After working with a therapist,he is finally able to stand on the edge of a high overpass for the first time in his life,primarily because he no longer feels the strong anxiety and fear that he used to experience during times like these.This example best demonstrates how ______________ can enhance feelings of self-efficacy.

Accepted Answer

Emotional arousal refers to the reduction of anxiety and fear, which can enhance self-efficacy by allowing individuals to perform tasks they previously found daunting.

Question 11

Studies of college students have revealed that students with an ____________ locus of control tend to perform better academically than students on the other end of the spectrum.These better students most likely associate their academic success with ___________.

Accepted Answer

Students with an internal locus of control believe that their own actions and decisions directly affect the outcomes of their lives, including academic success. Therefore, they are more likely to associate their academic achievements with their own hard work rather than external factors like luck.

Question 12

Aziza sets a goal of getting a 4.0 in her history class,whereas Edward,who is in the same class,sets a goal of studying 2 hours per night for the course.Which of the following accurately describes these goals?

Accepted Answer

Aziza's goal of getting a 4.0 is an outcome goal because it focuses on achieving a specific outcome or result. Edward's goal of studying 2 hours per night is a behavioral goal because it focuses on the actions he will take in order to achieve a desired outcome.

Question 13

Cornelius believes that most of one's life is determined by luck,so there is really no point in worrying about things like grades and work.Cornelius probably has:

Accepted Answer

Cornelius has an external locus of control because he believes that factors outside of his control, such as luck, determine most of his life. This implies that he does not perceive himself as having control over his own outcomes.

Question 14

Research associating the Big Five personality factors with activity in specific brain regions is still at its early stages and much is still to be discovered.Early results,however,suggest that each of the main dimensions of personality:

Accepted Answer

Early results suggest that each of the main dimensions of personality may have their own brain circuitry. There is no evidence to support the idea of a shared 'personality circuit' or a specific nucleus in the cortex. It is also not accurate to say that current mechanisms for measuring brain activity cannot discriminate between the Big Five personality factors, as research is ongoing and may reveal more information in the future.

Question 15

The person,the person's behaviour,and the environment all influence one another in a pattern of two-way causal links,according to ________________________.

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal determinism is the theory that the person, their behavior, and their environment all influence one another in a pattern of two-way causal links. The term was coined by psychologist Albert Bandura as part of his social cognitive theory, which emphasizes the role of observational learning and cognitive processes in shaping behavior. This theory suggests that while individuals are influenced by their environment, they also have the power to influence their environment through their behavior and cognitive processes.

Question 16

Julia's personality trait of disagreeableness may motivate her to behave in irritable,cynical,and uncooperative ways.These behaviours likely trigger negative reactions in her friends,and these social consequences may in turn serve to strengthen and reinforce Julia's personality and her social behaviour.This example best demonstrates the concept of:

Accepted Answer

This example best demonstrates the concept of reciprocal determinism, which suggests that there is a dynamic interplay between a person's behaviour, the environment, and their internal psychological processes. In this case, Julia's disagreeable behaviour may trigger negative reactions from others, which can then reinforce her personality traits and further influence her behaviour. This highlights how individuals and their environment constantly interact and influence each other in a reciprocal manner.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT considered to be a social cognitive theorist?

Accepted Answer

Hans Eysenck was a personality theorist who focused on trait theory, not social cognitive theory. The other options (B, C, and D) are all social cognitive theorists known for their work on topics such as self-efficacy, locus of control, and the cognitive-affective personality system.

Question 18

Kristin really wants to win the spelling bee,but she just doesn't think she'll be able to spell words when on stage.Kristin has:

Accepted Answer

Kristin's belief that she won't be able to spell words on stage indicates low self-efficacy. Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their ability to complete a task or achieve a goal. In this case, Kristin's low self-efficacy likely stems from her lack of confidence in her spelling abilities, which could negatively impact her performance in the spelling bee.

Question 19

Claire has a 40-page history/philosophy paper due at the end of the semester.Although she was initially overwhelmed by this assignment,she remembers a goal-setting guideline from her introductory psychology course and decides to apply it.She sits down with her calendar and maps out the smaller steps she needs to take in order to complete the paper.These steps include: reading the material,creating an outline,writing the introduction,writing a rough draft of the entire paper,and then rewriting the final draft.Claire most likely remembered which of the following guidelines? Set:

Accepted Answer

The best choice is C because Claire is applying the guideline of setting short-range as well as long-term goals by breaking down the larger assignment into smaller steps to complete over a period of time. The other options (A, B, and D) do not specifically apply to the approach that Claire is taking in breaking down her assignment into smaller tasks.

Question 20

Jack believes that if he goes out partying with his friends tonight,it is very likely that he will fail his history midterm tomorrow.Jack's perception about the consequences of his behaviour and the likelihood of these consequences would best be considered an example of Julian Rotter's concept of:

Accepted Answer

Jack's perceptions about the consequences of his behaviour (going out partying) and the likelihood of these consequences (failing his history midterm) align with Rotter's expectancy theory, which posits that people's behavior is influenced by their beliefs about the likelihood of particular outcomes (expectancies). In this case, Jack believes that if he engages in a certain behavior (partying), a particular outcome is likely to occur (failing his midterm). Therefore, Jack's decision to go out or not is based on his expectancies about the consequences of his behavior.

Quiz 14: Personality