Question 1

The study of personality stems from two different approaches.What are these?

Accepted Answer

The study of personality has two main approaches: academic psychology and clinical practice. Academic psychology involves laboratory research, experiments, and empirical studies, while clinical practice involves case studies, observation, and therapeutic intervention. Both approaches contribute to our understanding of personality, and they often overlap and inform one another. Meditation, self-assessment, social psychology, and learning theory are all relevant to the study of personality, but they are not the two distinct approaches from which it stems. Laboratory research on animal behaviour is more relevant to the field of ethology than to personality psychology.

Question 2

John Watson's extreme behaviorist views were adopted and taken even further by

Accepted Answer

John Watson's extreme behaviorist views were further developed and expanded upon by B.F. Skinner, who went on to develop the theory of operant conditioning and the concept of reinforcement, which has had a significant impact on the field of psychology. Gordon Allport and Carl Rogers were major figures in the development of the humanistic approach in psychology, while Sigmund Freud was a pioneer in the psychoanalytic approach.

Question 3

The basic philosophical issue of optimism versus pessimism that personality theorists consider centers on whether

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

When we use the term personality in everyday speech,we are usually referring to

Accepted Answer

When we refer to someone's "personality" in everyday speech, we are usually talking about their public image or social persona. This includes traits that they display to others, such as being outgoing, kind, or humorous, as well as any social roles they may inhabit, such as being a teacher, parent, or friend. It does not necessarily refer to unconscious forces or internal patterns of perception and behavior.

Question 5

Of the following questions,which most accurately reflects the study of personality?

Accepted Answer

The study of personality is primarily concerned with exploring individual differences and understanding the unique characteristics that make each person who they are. This question, "Who am I?" is therefore most relevant to the study of personality. The other options, while they may be important for various other areas of psychology, are not directly tied to exploring personality.

Question 6

Which of the following personality theorists considered the concept of personality to be unnecessary?

Accepted Answer

B.F. Skinner believed that the concept of personality was unnecessary and that behavior could be fully explained by environmental factors and conditioning. He emphasized observable behavior rather than internal mental processes or traits.

Question 7

According to the text,personality theorists develop,test,and apply their theories in three complementary orientations,in which they act as philosophers,scientists,and

Accepted Answer

Personality theorists act as philosophers, scientists, and artists in developing, testing, and applying their theories. This reflects the creative aspect of theory development, where they not only construct and test hypotheses (as scientists) and ponder the deeper implications of their findings (as philosophers) but also engage in the creative process of imagining and conceptualizing personality structures and dynamics (as artists).

Question 8

Freud's theory of personality was developed on the basis of

Accepted Answer

Freud's theory of personality was developed based on his own clinical observations of his patients, where he analyzed their dreams, free associations, and behaviors to create his theories.

Question 9

People of ________________ have engaged in scholarly efforts to understand themselves by constructing theories of personality.

Accepted Answer

Scholars and researchers from all cultures have engaged in efforts to understand personality by constructing theories and conducting research. While there may be cultural differences in the concepts and traits valued in different societies, the study of personality is not limited to a specific geographical region or cultural group.

Question 10

Because they refer to an extraordinary vision,philosophical statements are said to be

Accepted Answer

The term "epiphanic" refers to an extraordinary vision or realization, which is fitting for philosophical statements that offer profound insights or revelations. The other options, such as "global," "comprehensive," and "relevant," do not capture the specific quality of philosophical statements that make them epiphanic.

Question 11

Why are theories of personality constructed?

Accepted Answer

Theories of personality are constructed with the purpose of helping us understand human nature. They provide a framework for explaining why people behave the way they do and help us predict future behavior. They also help us to identify similarities and differences among individuals and groups.

Question 12

Of the following philosophical assumptions,which one concerns a person's ability to control his own behavior and understand the motives behind it?

Accepted Answer

The philosophical assumption of freedom versus determinism directly concerns a person's ability to control their behavior and understand their motives behind it. It questions whether people have free will and are able to make choices that are not predetermined by factors such as genetics or environment.

Question 13

If a personality theory is riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions,it is most likely to be criticized as

Accepted Answer

If a personality theory is riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions, it demonstrates a lack of coherence and logic, making it difficult to follow or apply in a meaningful way.

Question 14

A set of abstract concepts used to explain a group of facts or events is called

Accepted Answer

A theory is a set of abstract concepts used to explain a group of facts or events. An empirical statement is a statement based on observations, an operational definition is a definition based on the procedures or operations used to measure or manipulate a variable, and personality refers to an individual's unique pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Question 15

What do personality theorists seek to accomplish in their role of scientists?

Accepted Answer

Personality theorists seek to test hypotheses to explain human behavior.

Question 16

Macro theories of personality are to micro theories as ________ is to ________.

Accepted Answer

Macro theories of personality provide a global explanation of personality traits and characteristics, while micro theories focus on specific aspects of personality such as behavior, cognition, and emotions. The relationship between macro and micro theories can be likened to the relationship between a general, overarching view, and a specific, detailed perspective. Therefore, the best choice is A, as it reflects this contrast between a global versus specific approach.

Question 17

John Watson recommended that psychologists should emphasize the study of

Accepted Answer

John Watson believed that psychology should be focused on studying observable behavior rather than subjective experiences. He is considered the founder of behaviorism, which emphasizes the study of overt behaviors. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.

Question 18

To be meaningful,a philosophical assumption should have some bearing on our view of reality.In other words,it should be

Accepted Answer

A philosophical assumption should have some relevance or connection to our understanding of reality for it to be meaningful. A comprehensive assumption may be too large to be meaningful, a coherent assumption may make sense internally but may not connect to reality, and a compelling assumption may be convincing but not necessarily relevant to our view of reality.

Question 19

Sigmund Freud viewed personality as

Accepted Answer

Freud believed that a lot of our personality is hidden and unconscious, meaning we are not always aware of the factors that influence our behavior and decisions. This is why Freudian theories focus so heavily on the role of the unconscious mind and past experiences in shaping personality.

Question 20

Historically,formal discussion of theories of personality have been dominated by a(n)

Accepted Answer

The formal discussion of theories of personality has been dominated by a Western focus, with many of the most influential theorists and concepts originating in Europe and North America.

Quiz 1: Introduction Evaluating Personality Theories