Question 1

On the surface, Robby and Davie seem to get along wonderfully as brothers. However, unconsciously Davie harbors extreme, but hidden, jealousy towards his younger brother. Freud would probably call this __________
A) regression.
B) projection.
C) repression.
D) denial.

Accepted Answer

Freud would likely call this repression, which is the unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts, feelings, and impulses. In this case, Davie's extreme jealousy towards his younger brother is not consciously acknowledged but influences his behavior and feelings unconsciously.

Question 2

An unconscious technique used by the ego to defend against anxiety and maintain self-esteem is (the) __________
A) fixation.
B) Oedipus complex.
C) defense mechanisms.
D) libido.

Accepted Answer

Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies used by the ego to protect itself against unpleasant emotions or threatening situations, while still maintaining self-esteem. Examples of defense mechanisms include denial, repression, projection, and rationalization.

Question 3

DeVonn feels guilty over having broken his mom's DVD player. His feeling is being driven by which component of the personality?
A) id
B) superego
C) ego
D) ego ideal

Accepted Answer

The superego is responsible for our sense of right and wrong, often influenced by societal norms and expectations. DeVonn's guilt over breaking his mom's DVD player is a manifestation of his superego, which is telling him that what he did was wrong and immoral.

Question 4

What is Freud's term for the unconscious efforts by the ego to deny or distort reality and maintain self-esteem when unconscious conflict becomes too intense?
A) false cognitions
B) coping techniques
C) disordered thinking
D) defense mechanisms

Accepted Answer

Freud's term for the unconscious efforts by the ego to deny or distort reality and maintain self-esteem when unconscious conflict becomes too intense is defense mechanisms.

Question 5

Dawn was recently divorced, and on the advice from her friends, she has decided not to date for at least six months so that she could become comfortable with herself once again. However, now she is convinced that most of the men at work want to ask her out, if she would only give them a sign. Dawn is likely using the defense mechanism of __________
A) suppression.
B) projection.
C) displacement.
D) reaction formation.

Accepted Answer

Dawn is projecting her own desires onto the men at work. She is assuming that they want to ask her out because she wants to be asked out. Projection is a defense mechanism in which an individual attributes their own thoughts, feelings, and motives to others.

Question 6

In the metaphor the angel, the devil, and me, the angel is the __________
A) id.
B) ego.
C) superego.
D) unconscious.

Accepted Answer

The angel in this metaphor represents the superego, which is the part of the psyche that provides moral guidance and upholds social standards. The devil represents the id, which is the instinctual and primitive part of the psyche that seeks immediate gratification and pleasure. The "me" in this metaphor represents the ego, which is the conscious and rational part of the psyche that tries to balance the demands of the id and the superego.

Question 7

The conscience and ego ideal are two parts of which of Freud's components of personality?
A) superego
B) id
C) ego
D) libido

Accepted Answer

The conscience and ego ideal are both components of the superego. The superego represents our internalized sense of morality and ethical standards, and it includes both our conscience (which punishes us for doing wrong) and our ego ideal (which rewards us for doing right).

Question 8

Yongmei is studying for her math test. Her boyfriend Marcus asks if she can go to the movies with him. She would love to go but she knows she has to study for the math test in order to pass the class. What part of Yongmei's personality will say "You must stay home and study because passing the class is necessary for you to graduate."
A) her ego because it is the moral conscience of her personality
B) her id because studying is what she really wants to do
C) her libido because she knows her boyfriend will love her more if she studies
D) her superego because it is this part of the personality that is the moral conscience

Accepted Answer

The superego is responsible for the moral conscience of the personality and is often referred to as the "shoulds" and "should nots" that govern our behavior. In this situation, Yongmei knows that in order to achieve her goal of passing the math class and graduating, she must prioritize studying over going to the movies with her boyfriend, which is in line with the superego's principles.

Question 9

There were three friends. Maybe you've heard of them! 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) id.
B) ego.
C) superego.
D) libido.

Accepted Answer

According to Freud's theory, the id represents the unconscious primitive and instinctual part of the mind that seeks pleasure and avoids pain. The ego represents the rational and logical part of the mind that mediates between the demands of the id and the constraints of reality. The superego represents the conscience and ethical/moral standards that are internalized from societal and parental values. Based on the description of Hermione's personality, she appears to be mostly rule-oriented, moral, and ethical, which aligns with the characteristics of the superego. Therefore, the best choice is C.

Question 10

The __________ is the component of the superego consisting of memories of those acts for which a child has been praised and provides satisfaction and pride.
A) ego
B) ego ideal
C) pleasure principle
D) conscious

Accepted Answer

The ego ideal is the component of the superego that holds the standards for moral behavior and is developed based on the child's experiences of being praised and approved of by significant others such as parents, teachers, or peers. It provides a sense of satisfaction and pride when one lives up to the standards of behavior set by the ego ideal. The ego is the component of personality that mediates between the demands of the id, the superego, and reality, while the pleasure principle refers to the drive for immediate gratification that motivates the id. The conscious refers to mental processes of which we are aware.

Question 11

Which element in Freud's personality theory is composed of the conscience and the ego ideal?
A) id
B) ego
C) superego
D) preconscious

Accepted Answer

The element composed of the conscience (which internalizes societal rules and moral values) and the ego ideal (which represents the ideal self and aspirations) is the superego in Freud's personality theory.

Question 12

According to Freud, the result of conflict between the id and superego is __________
A) libido.
B) depression.
C) psychosis.
D) anxiety.

Accepted Answer

Freud believed that the conflict between the primal impulses of the id and the moral standards of the superego can result in anxiety.

Question 13

Arnie, a very lonely single man who never dates, tells his friend that he finds the way women constantly "hit on" him to be very unappealing. Which defense mechanism might be reflective of Arnie's behavior?
A) denial
B) projection
C) repression
D) regression

Accepted Answer

Arnie's claim that women constantly "hit on" him, despite being very lonely and not dating, suggests he is projecting his own feelings or desires onto others. Projection is a defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person.

Question 14

According to Freud, the __________ acts as our conscience.
A) id
B) superego
C) ego
D) collective unconscious

Accepted Answer

The superego is the part of our personality that acts as our conscience, representing the internalized values and moral standards of our society and culture. It develops through the influence of parents, caregivers, and other authority figures during childhood. Freud believed that the superego balances the sometimes conflicting demands of the id (our basic instincts and drives) and the ego (our rational, problem-solving self).

Question 15

According to Freud, the most frequently used defense mechanism is __________
A) denial.
B) preconscious processing.
C) repression.
D) projection.

Accepted Answer

Freud considered repression to be the most frequently used defense mechanism, where unacceptable or unpleasant thoughts and feelings are unconsciously pushed out of conscious awareness.

Question 16

Erin desperately wanted a job with a large computer company, but in her five-minute interview she failed to impress them sufficiently to get hired. When she talked about this with her friends later, she said she was glad that she didn't get the job because she didn't want to get lost in a big corporation. She'd rather get a job with an independent, small company. What defense mechanism is Erin using?
A) rationalization
B) denial
C) projection
D) sublimation

Accepted Answer

Erin is rationalizing her failure to get the job by convincing herself that she actually prefers working for a smaller, independent company. This is a defense mechanism that helps her cope with the disappointment of not getting the job she wanted.

Question 17

In Freud's personality theory, the __________ are in conflict and the __________ must mediate between them.
A) ego and superego; id
B) id and superego; ego
C) id and ego; superego
D) id, ego, and superego; conscience

Accepted Answer

In Freud's personality theory, the id represents the instinctual drives and desires, the superego represents the moral standards and ideals, and the ego acts as the mediator between the demands of the id, the superego, and reality.

Question 18

In Freud's theory, the id is to fun as the superego is to __________
A) guilt.
B) pride.
C) rules.
D) freedom.

Accepted Answer

The id is the part of the unconscious mind that follows the pleasure principle and seeks immediate gratification of desires. Similarly, fun is often associated with immediate pleasure and gratification. On the other hand, the superego represents the moral and ethical standards of society and operates on the principle of perfection, often leading to feelings of guilt when one violates these standards. Therefore, the best choice is A, guilt.

Question 19

According to Freud, when can the use of defense mechanisms have adverse effects on a person's mental health?
A) any time defense mechanisms are used, they may be detrimental as a person should learn to face conflicts head on.
B) when defense mechanisms are overused
C) when defense mechanisms are under used, the person can experience stress, with negative consequences for health
D) defense mechanisms are healthy methods of protecting the superego, and so they cannot have adverse effects on a person's mental health

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, defense mechanisms can be healthy and adaptive when used in moderation, but overuse of these mechanisms can have adverse effects on a person's mental health. Over-reliance on defense mechanisms can prevent individuals from acknowledging and addressing their underlying problems, leading to a lack of personal growth and increased psychological distress.

Question 20

The superego develops between the ages of __________
A) 1 and 2.
B) 5 and 6.
C) 6 and 12.
D) 12 and 18.

Accepted Answer

The superego, according to Freudian psychoanalytic theory, typically begins to form at the age of 5 and 6 as children start to internalize societal norms and parental expectations, functioning as a moral compass.

Quiz 13: Personality Theory and Assessment

On the surface, Robby and Davie seem to get along wonderfully as brothers. However, unconsciously Davie harbors extreme, but hidden, jealousy towards his younger brother. Freud would probably call this __________

An unconscious technique used by the ego to defend against anxiety and maintain self-esteem is (the) __________

DeVonn feels guilty over having broken his mom's DVD player. His feeling is being driven by which component of the personality?

What is Freud's term for the unconscious efforts by the ego to deny or distort reality and maintain self-esteem when unconscious conflict becomes too intense?

In the metaphor the angel, the devil, and me, the angel is the __________

The conscience and ego ideal are two parts of which of Freud's components of personality?

The __________ is the component of the superego consisting of memories of those acts for which a child has been praised and provides satisfaction and pride.

Which element in Freud's personality theory is composed of the conscience and the ego ideal?

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

Arnie, a very lonely single man who never dates, tells his friend that he finds the way women constantly "hit on" him to be very unappealing. Which defense mechanism might be reflective of Arnie's behavior?

According to Freud, the __________ acts as our conscience.

According to Freud, the most frequently used defense mechanism is __________

In Freud's personality theory, the are in conflict and the must mediate between them.

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

According to Freud, when can the use of defense mechanisms have adverse effects on a person's mental health?

The superego develops between the ages of __________