Question 1

What type of personality theories are based on the notion that people can be described in terms of the basic ways they behave?

Accepted Answer

Trait theories are based on the notion that people can be described in terms of the basic ways they behave, think, and feel, which are referred to as traits. The traits are relatively stable and enduring characteristics that influence our behavior across different situations and over time. Trait theories focus on identifying and measuring the different dimensions of personality and how they combine to shape our behavior and outcomes. Examples of trait theories include the Big Five model and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

Question 2

Which of the following is an enduring aspect of the self that includes a sense of membership in an ethnic group,along with the attitudes and feelings related to that membership?

Accepted Answer

Ethnic identity is the enduring aspect of the self that includes a sense of membership in an ethnic group, along with attitudes and feelings related to that membership. Bicultural identity refers to individuals who identify with two cultures, while identity diffusion refers to a lack of clear identity. Identity foreclosure refers to prematurely committing to an identity without exploring other options.

Question 3

When minority youth identify in some ways with their ethnic culture and in other ways with the majority culture,they are developing a(n)

Accepted Answer

The term for identifying with both one's ethnic culture and the majority culture is bicultural identity. This involves recognizing and integrating elements from both cultures, rather than rejecting one or the other.

Question 4

According to Marcia,adolescents who are in the midst of a crisis and whose commitment levels are either absent or only vaguely defined are in a state of identity

Accepted Answer

Marcia's identity status model describes adolescents in the midst of a crisis, with absent or vaguely defined commitments, as being in a state of identity moratorium. This is a period of active exploration and searching for personal values and beliefs.

Question 5

Juan is a college student who is reflecting on his ethnic identity and how he fits into mainstream culture.He has a diverse group of friends,loves American cinema,and is active in the campus Latino Club.Juan likely

Accepted Answer

Juan's diverse group of friends and involvement in the Latino Club suggest that he is comfortable and proud of his ethnic identity. However, his love for American cinema and potential involvement in mainstream culture suggests that he is also influenced by mainstream society. Therefore, he is likely experiencing a bicultural identity where he balances and integrates both his ethnic identity and mainstream culture into his identity.

Question 6

For positive identity development,a family atmosphere should promote

Accepted Answer

Positive identity development involves both individuality, as in the ability to express one's unique characteristics and values, and connectedness, as in having supportive relationships with family and community. Therefore, a family atmosphere that promotes both individuality and connectedness is most beneficial for positive identity development.

Question 7

According to Marcia,adolescents who have made a commitment without exploring meaningful alternatives are in a state of identity

Accepted Answer

According to Marcia's theory of identity development, foreclosure is a state where individuals have made a commitment to an identity without exploring meaningful alternatives. This is in contrast to identity diffusion, where individuals have not committed to an identity and are not actively exploring alternatives, and identity moratorium, where individuals are actively exploring alternatives but have not yet made a commitment. Identity achievement is the end result of successfully navigating through identity exploration and making a commitment to an identity.

Question 8

The Big Five factors theory of personality is the view that personality is made up of

Accepted Answer

The Big Five factors theory of personality posits that personality is composed of five broad dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. These factors have been found to be consistent across cultures and have been empirically linked to a wide range of outcomes, such as academic achievement, job performance, and mental health. The other choices do not accurately reflect the Big Five factors theory.

Question 9

According to Marcia,adolescents who have explored alternatives and have made a commitment are in a state of identity

Accepted Answer

According to Marcia's identity status theory, the state of identity achievement occurs when adolescents have actively explored and considered alternatives before committing to a particular identity. This is the most optimal and mature identity status. Thus, the best choice is D, achievement.

Question 10

The Big Five factors have shown in research to be related to

Accepted Answer

The Big Five factors (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism) have been found to be related to better health, less stress, superior problem-focused coping, and better quality relationships, among other outcomes. Therefore, all of the answer choices are correct.

Question 11

Maria is a family therapist.She encourages her clients to recognize and respect other's points of view and be open to different ideas.Maria is fostering a sense of

Accepted Answer

Maria is encouraging her clients to recognize and respect others' points of view, which fosters a sense of connectedness. This suggests that Maria is helping her clients to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others and empathize with them, leading to a greater sense of community and belonging.

Question 12

Emily tried several different majors at school for a long time.Now,at graduation,she feels strongly interested in business and looks forward to a long career in this area.According to Marcia,Emily is in a state of identity

Accepted Answer

Emily has explored several majors and has now found her passion in business, indicating that she has reached a point of identity achievement.

Question 13

Kristina is looking forward to participating in the mock election debate at school.She has strong opinions on school issues and feels confident that she can communicate her stance to others.Kristina is strong in what characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Kristina's confidence in communicating her opinions suggests that she values and exhibits individuality, the characteristic of being independent and self-directed.

Question 14

Stephanie has finished college and happily begun a career as a chemist.But her mother explains that few decisions are permanent,and that Stephanie may continue to reevaluate her choices and change careers several times during the course of her life.Stephanie's mother is describing

Accepted Answer

The "MAMA" cycle (Moratorium-achievement, Moratorium-achievement) is a term coined by psychologist James Marcia to describe the process of exploring and committing to an identity. It acknowledges that people often revisit their choices and make changes over the course of their lives. Stephanie's mother's advice fits in with this idea.

Question 15

After considerable identity exploration,Drew finally became committed to becoming a lawyer after college.After happily working as a lawyer for a few years,he felt he was not interested in law anymore.After some soul searching,he found that his heart was in art and he decided to become an artist.Drew's experience is an example of

Accepted Answer

Drew's experience exemplifies the "MAMA" cycle (Moratorium to Achievement to Moratorium to Achievement), where an individual goes through periods of exploration (moratorium) followed by periods of commitment (achievement) in their identity development process.

Question 16

One way researchers examine identity changes in depth is by using a technique where you ask the individual to tell their life story and evaluate how meaningful and integrated that story is.This approach is known as

Accepted Answer

The technique described in the question is the narrative approach, where an individual is asked to tell their life story and it is evaluated for meaning and integration. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of the individual's identity changes and how they have arrived at their current identity. The other options, MAMA cycle, identity statuses, and identity crisis, are related to the study of identity but do not specifically involve asking for an individual's life story.

Question 17

According to Cooper,mutuality and permeability are two dimensions of

Accepted Answer

Mutuality refers to the extent to which individuals in a relationship share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with each other, while permeability refers to the degree to which external influences, such as cultural norms, affect a relationship. Both of these dimensions relate to the concept of connectedness, or the sense of being emotionally and psychologically linked to another person or group. Therefore, the best choice is D, connectedness.

Question 18

According to Cooper,self-assertion and separateness are two dimensions of

Accepted Answer

Cooper (1982) discusses self-assertion and separateness as two dimensions of individuality, which is defined as the ability to maintain a sense of one's own identity and autonomy while also being connected to and influenced by others. Mutuality and connectedness are related concepts, but they do not capture the distinction between self-assertion and separateness. Permeability, on the other hand, refers to the degree to which boundaries between individuals are flexible or rigid, and is not directly related to either self-assertion or separateness.

Question 19

An assignment in Chad's career development course has reopened the issue of choosing a major,inspiring him to let go of his long-held plan to be a biologist.He is interested in several possibilities,but has not made any decision.According to Marcia,Chad is in a state of identity

Accepted Answer

Chad is in a state of identity moratorium, which means he is actively exploring different possibilities without committing to any one option. He has let go of his previous plan as a biologist and is considering other majors, but has not made a final decision yet.

Question 20

The "MAMA" cycle is

Accepted Answer

The "MAMA" cycle refers to Moratorium-Achievement-Moratorium-Achievement. This cycle involves individuals with positive identities cycling between the moratorium stage, where they actively explore different options, and the achievement stage, where they make firm commitments to their chosen identities. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Options A, C, and D do not accurately describe the "MAMA" cycle.

Quiz 11: The Self, identity, and Personality