Question 1

Young people with life-threatening illnesses appear to shift their goals from ________ to ________.
A) exploration; emotional well-being
B) generativity; meaningfulness
C) work; family
D) intellectual achievement; creativity

Accepted Answer

Young people with life-threatening illnesses often shift their goals from exploration, which involves seeking new experiences and learning, to emotional well-being, focusing on feeling good and maintaining positive emotions in the face of their condition.

Question 2

What event is likely to contribute to personality changes well into adulthood?
A) entering college
B) beginning a serious relationship
C) caring for a spouse with a terminal illness
D) going through the natural aging process

Accepted Answer

Caring for a spouse with a terminal illness is a significant life event that can deeply affect an individual's personality due to the emotional, psychological, and social challenges involved.

Question 3

According to the text, narcissists seem to ________ the positive consequences of changing themselves.
A) overestimate
B) underestimate
C) fully understand
D) reject

Accepted Answer

Narcissists tend to underestimate the positive consequences of changing themselves, often because they have an inflated sense of self that hinders their ability to see the benefits of personal growth or change.

Question 4

Starting a job, entering college, and beginning a serious relationship are all associated with increases in
A) openness to experience.
B) neuroticism.
C) extraversion.
D) conscientiousness.

Accepted Answer

These life events are associated with increased responsibility and maturity, which are linked to higher levels of conscientiousness.

Question 5

Johnny just lost his job. What change in personality is he likely to undergo?
A) an increase in conscientiousness
B) a decrease in agreeableness
C) an increase in emotional stability
D) a decrease in extraversion

Accepted Answer

Losing a job can be a stressful and upsetting experience, which might lead to increased irritability or sensitivity in social interactions, thus potentially decreasing agreeableness.

Question 6

According to a study investigating the relationship between stress and important life events (Seery et al., 2013), a ________ amount of stress throughout one's life leads to a(n) ________ in cardiovascular reactivity (or resiliency).
A) low; decrease
B) high; decrease
C) moderate; increase
D) moderate; decrease

Accepted Answer

The study by Seery et al. (2013) found that experiencing a moderate amount of stress throughout one's life leads to a decrease in cardiovascular reactivity, indicating increased resilience.

Question 7

Based on the findings from various studies investigating interventions aimed at changing delinquent behavior, targeting ________ children seems to be more effective.
A) older
B) low socioeconomic status
C) younger
D) high socioeconomic status

Accepted Answer

Interventions aimed at changing delinquent behavior are generally more effective when they target younger children. This is because younger individuals are often more receptive to change and intervention strategies can be more easily integrated into their developmental processes, leading to more successful outcomes in altering behavior.

Question 8

What drug can lead to increases in openness to experience that lasts a year or longer?
A) Prozac
B) marijuana
C) psilocybin mushrooms
D) cocaine

Accepted Answer

Psilocybin mushrooms have been shown in studies to increase openness to experience for extended periods, even up to a year or longer, after a single dose. This effect is attributed to the profound psychological experiences often induced by psilocybin, which is the active psychedelic compound in these mushrooms.

Question 9

According to the theoretical model cited in the text, what is the correct order of steps necessary to accomplish self-regulated personality trait change?
A) changing one's behavior, allowing the behaviors to become habitual, wanting to change, believing change is possible
B) believing change is possible, wanting to change, asking for outside help, changing one's behavior
C) changing one's behavior, asking for outside help, believing change is possible, wanting to change
D) wanting to change, believing change is possible, self-regulating behavioral change, behavior change becoming habitual

Accepted Answer

The correct order according to the theoretical model for self-regulated personality trait change involves first wanting to change, then believing that change is possible, followed by actively self-regulating behavioral change, and finally, these behavior changes becoming habitual. This sequence emphasizes the importance of motivation and belief in one's ability to change before engaging in and solidifying new behaviors.

Question 10

A shift in one's goals is related to a change in one's
A) age.
B) life narrative.
C) personality trait levels.
D) social roles.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A shift in one's goals is related...

Question 11

What intervention has been developed to (temporarily) change levels of narcissism?
A) Individuals were given psilocybin mushrooms.
B) Individuals were instructed to work for a charity for at least 10 hours per week.
C) Individuals were told to practice mindfulness meditation.
D) Individuals were told to practice empathy and taking perspective.

Accepted Answer

Practicing empathy and taking perspective has been shown to temporarily reduce narcissistic traits by encouraging individuals to consider others' feelings and viewpoints.

Question 12

According to one survey, what trait did the greatest number of people report wanting to change?
A) agreeableness
B) extraversion
C) openness
D) neuroticism

Accepted Answer

Neuroticism is a trait associated with negative emotions like anxiety, depression, and irritability. Many people wish to reduce these feelings, making neuroticism a common trait people want to change to improve their overall well-being and happiness.

Question 13

All the following exercises are used to help develop self-control EXCEPT
A) meditating.
B) self-affirmation.
C) relaxing.
D) reconsidering temptations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of All the following exercises are used to...

Question 14

According to a recent study, what intervention can lead people to become more tolerant of stress and less defensive in general?
A) attending a two-week acceptance training
B) practicing daily mindfulness activities
C) participating in one-on-one counseling sessions
D) writing self-affirmation essays

Accepted Answer

Writing self-affirmation essays has been shown to help individuals become more tolerant of stress and less defensive by reinforcing their core values and self-worth, which can buffer against stress and defensiveness.

Question 15

Sandy is afraid that her lack of diligence and timeliness will cause her to get fired from her job. According to the text, what is the first thing she must do to increase her level of conscientiousness?
A) recognize her specific problem areas and want to change
B) talk to her boss to get his perspective
C) change herself immediately without much thought
D) recognize that particular aspects of her job are likely causing her to be late and lazy

Accepted Answer

Recognizing specific problem areas and having the desire to change are crucial first steps in increasing conscientiousness. This self-awareness is foundational before making any effective changes.

Question 16

Joe just got back from a month-long trip to Africa. According to the text, what are the likely long-term effects of his trip?
A) an increase in his self-confidence and social skills
B) a decrease in verbal fluency
C) an increased appreciation for his hometown and family
D) a decreased sense of self

Accepted Answer

Joe's trip to Africa likely increased his self-confidence and social skills because he was exposed to new cultures and people, which helped him to develop a more open and tolerant worldview.

Question 17

According to a study investigating personality change among young Germans, those who completed community service increased in ________ at a higher rate than those who entered into the military.
A) agreeableness
B) conscientiousness
C) extraversion
D) emotional stability

Accepted Answer

The study found that young Germans who completed community service showed a higher increase in agreeableness compared to those who entered the military. Agreeableness is a personality trait associated with being kind, empathetic, and cooperative.

Question 18

During old age, individuals tend to have goals that focus on
A) what is emotionally meaningful.
B) staying as busy as possible.
C) what can earn them the most money.
D) traveling around the world.

Accepted Answer

During old age, individuals often prioritize goals that are emotionally meaningful, reflecting a shift towards valuing emotional satisfaction and quality of relationships over material or external achievements.

Question 19

What piece of evidence suggests that age is NOT a determining factor in the desire to change one's personality?
A) College students are more likely to want to change themselves than do individuals in their sixties.
B) There is little to no correlation between participants' age and their self-reported desire to change.
C) Parents report that their children want to change more often than their children report wanting to change.
D) There is a negative correlation between participants' age and their self-reported desire to change.

Accepted Answer

The lack of correlation between participants' age and their desire to change suggests that age does not significantly impact the desire to change one's personality.

Question 20

According to a new theoretical model for personality change, if individuals change ________, the trait change will follow.
A) their mind-set
B) the relevant environmental factors
C) the relevant behaviors
D) their life goals

Accepted Answer

According to the new theoretical model for personality change, if individuals change the relevant behaviors, the trait change will follow. This model suggests that by actively modifying behaviors associated with certain personality traits, individuals can effect change in those traits over time.

Quiz 7: Personality Stability, Development, and Change

Young people with life-threatening illnesses appear to shift their goals from to .

What event is likely to contribute to personality changes well into adulthood?

According to the text, narcissists seem to ________ the positive consequences of changing themselves.

Starting a job, entering college, and beginning a serious relationship are all associated with increases in

Johnny just lost his job. What change in personality is he likely to undergo?

According to a study investigating the relationship between stress and important life events (Seery et al., 2013) , a amount of stress throughout one's life leads to a(n) in cardiovascular reactivity (or resiliency) .

Based on the findings from various studies investigating interventions aimed at changing delinquent behavior, targeting ________ children seems to be more effective.

What drug can lead to increases in openness to experience that lasts a year or longer?

According to the theoretical model cited in the text, what is the correct order of steps necessary to accomplish self-regulated personality trait change?

A shift in one's goals is related to a change in one's

What intervention has been developed to (temporarily) change levels of narcissism?

According to one survey, what trait did the greatest number of people report wanting to change?

All the following exercises are used to help develop self-control EXCEPT

According to a recent study, what intervention can lead people to become more tolerant of stress and less defensive in general?

Sandy is afraid that her lack of diligence and timeliness will cause her to get fired from her job. According to the text, what is the first thing she must do to increase her level of conscientiousness?

Joe just got back from a month-long trip to Africa. According to the text, what are the likely long-term effects of his trip?

According to a study investigating personality change among young Germans, those who completed community service increased in ________ at a higher rate than those who entered into the military.

During old age, individuals tend to have goals that focus on

What piece of evidence suggests that age is NOT a determining factor in the desire to change one's personality?

According to a new theoretical model for personality change, if individuals change ________, the trait change will follow.