Question 1

Allport's theory emphasized the development of the unified person and therefore his theory is called
A) analytical.
B) unconscious-oriented.
C) personological.
D) client-centered.

Accepted Answer

Allport's theory emphasized the individual as a whole rather than breaking them down into specific parts. Therefore, it is called personological theory. The other options are not relevant to Allport's theory.

Question 2

Allport's theory of personality emphasizes
A) consistency.
B) the self.
C) social influence.
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

All three factors - consistency, the self, and social influence - are emphasized in Allport's theory of personality. Allport believed that personality consists of traits that are consistent across situations, that the self is a central part of personality, and that social influence plays a role in shaping personality. Therefore, the best choice is D, all of the above.

Question 3

Which statement best describes Allport's attitude toward traits?
A) Trait concepts involve circular reasoning, and so should be abandoned by scientific psychology.
B) Traits are the basic causes of behavior.
C) There are only about a dozen basic personality traits.
D) Traits are all nomothetic.

Accepted Answer

Allport believed that traits are the basic causes of behavior. He emphasized the importance of understanding the unique and individual nature of personality, but also believed that traits provided a useful framework for understanding consistency and stability in behavior.

Question 4

Allport was committed to traits understood from the __________ point of view.
A) biological
B) idiographic
C) nomothetic
D) psychoanalytic

Accepted Answer

Allport was committed to understanding traits from an idiographic point of view, which focuses on understanding the unique aspects of each individual.

Question 5

Allport defined personality as "the __________ within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustments to the environment."
A) development
B) dynamic organization
C) nurturance
D) existence

Accepted Answer

Allport's definition of personality emphasizes the dynamic organization of psychophysical systems within the individual, highlighting the integrative and adaptive nature of personality. The other choices, development, nurturance, and existence, are not central to Allport's definition of personality.

Question 6

Which statement best describes Allport's attitude toward biological influences on personality?
A) Will power is so important that biology plays no part in personality.
B) Biological influences determine most of personality.
C) Biological influences, along with psychological influences, are important determinants of personality.
D) Biological influences explain mental illness, but not variations in normal personality.

Accepted Answer

Allport believed in the importance of both biological and psychological influences on personality, stating that they both played a significant role in determining personality. He did not believe that will power alone was enough to determine personality and did not see biology as the sole determinant of personality.

Question 7

Mother Teresa's sense of charity for others is an example of what type of trait?
A) cardinal
B) central
C) secondary
D) elusive

Accepted Answer

Cardinal traits are those that are central to a person's personality, defining their character and behavior. Mother Teresa's sense of charity for others was a defining trait of her personality, making it a cardinal trait.

Question 8

When Allport met Freud, what happened?
A) Freud analyzed Allport's dreams.
B) Freud experienced a powerful countertransference.
C) Allport thought that Freud misunderstood him.
D) Allport proposed that he develop a test to measure Freudian defense mechanisms.

Accepted Answer

Allport believed that Freud had misunderstood a story he told, interpreting it psychoanalytically, which led Allport to think about the importance of understanding individuals in their own terms, contributing to the development of personality psychology.

Question 9

Allport grew up in
A) Vienna.
B) the American Midwest.
C) India.
D) an orphanage.

Accepted Answer

Allport grew up in the American Midwest, specifically in Indiana.

Question 10

Allport defined personality as "the dynamic organization within the individual of those __________ that determine his __________."
A) traits; mental health
B) significant attachments; social interactions
C) psychophysical systems; unique adjustments to the environment
D) physical characteristics; individuality

Accepted Answer

Allport's definition of personality highlights the interaction between psychophysical systems (i.e. biological and psychological processes) and the unique adjustments an individual makes to their environment. This suggests that personality is not just a collection of fixed traits or physical characteristics, but rather a dynamic and adaptive system.

Question 11

According to Allport, the basic unit of personality is the
A) ego.
B) interpersonal style.
C) trait.
D) proprium.

Accepted Answer

According to Gordon Allport, the basic unit of personality is the "trait." He emphasized that traits are the building blocks of personality, influencing behavior and thought patterns.

Question 12

Allport and Odbert examined the dictionary and found about __________ traits.
A) 5
B) 16
C) 500
D) 18,000

Accepted Answer

Allport and Odbert examined the dictionary and found about 18,000 traits.

Question 13

Research reported by Allport and later confirmed by others shows that ratings of traits are more reliable if
A) a 7-point scale is used, rather than a 5-point scale.
B) the rater can indicate which traits are particularly descriptive of a person, and only those traits are considered.
C) people rate themselves.
D) a standard list of traits is used.

Accepted Answer

Allport's research, later confirmed by others, indicates that trait ratings are more reliable when raters can highlight traits that are particularly descriptive of the person being rated. This approach allows for a more nuanced and accurate assessment of personality traits.

Question 14

According to Allport, heredity influences __________ aspects of personality.
A) no
B) a few
C) many
D) all

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Allport, heredity influences __________ aspects...

Question 15

Which of the following is not a major theme in Allport's work?
A) psychosis
B) consistency of personality
C) social influence
D) the self

Accepted Answer

While Allport did discuss abnormal psychology, including psychosis, as part of his work, it was not a major theme. The other three options – consistency of personality, social influence, and the self – were all core themes in Allport's theories.

Question 16

Allport described __________ traits as traits that are possessed by only one person.
A) central
B) cardinal
C) common
D) individual

Accepted Answer

Allport described individual traits as traits that are possessed by only one person.

Question 17

Allport and Odbert identified 17,953 trait names by studying
A) college freshmen.
B) biographies of famous people.
C) letters from Jenny.
D) the dictionary.

Accepted Answer

Allport and Odbert identified trait names by studying the dictionary.

Question 18

Allport's saying, "The same heat that melts the butter hardens the egg" illustrates
A) the danger of drugs.
B) the interaction of personality and situations.
C) genetic influence.
D) determinism.

Accepted Answer

Allport's saying suggests that the same external situation (heat) can have different effects on individuals (melting the butter, hardening the egg) due to their differing personalities. This highlights the interaction of personality and situations.

Question 19

According to Allport, the ultimate real unit of personality is
A) a common trait that exists in a specified population.
B) the neuron.
C) a unique trait, which has psychophysical reality within an individual.
D) unconscious motivation.

Accepted Answer

Allport believed that the ultimate real unit of personality is a unique trait, which has psychophysical reality within an individual. This means that each individual has their own set of unique traits that make up their personality, rather than a common trait that exists in a specified population.

Question 20

Which statement best describes Allport's attitude toward heredity?
A) Heredity is of little importance to personality.
B) All features of personality are influenced by heredity, at least to some extent.
C) Heredity influences intelligence, but not other aspects of personality.
D) Heredity is the major determinant of psychosis.

Accepted Answer

Allport believed that all features of personality are influenced by heredity, at least to some extent. However, he also recognized the importance of environmental factors in shaping personality.

Quiz 7: Allport: Personological Trait Theory

Allport's theory emphasized the development of the unified person and therefore his theory is called

Allport's theory of personality emphasizes

Which statement best describes Allport's attitude toward traits?

Allport was committed to traits understood from the __________ point of view.

Allport defined personality as "the __________ within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determine his unique adjustments to the environment."

Which statement best describes Allport's attitude toward biological influences on personality?

Mother Teresa's sense of charity for others is an example of what type of trait?

When Allport met Freud, what happened?

Allport grew up in

Allport defined personality as "the dynamic organization within the individual of those that determine his ."

According to Allport, the basic unit of personality is the

Allport and Odbert examined the dictionary and found about __________ traits.

Research reported by Allport and later confirmed by others shows that ratings of traits are more reliable if

According to Allport, heredity influences __________ aspects of personality.

Which of the following is not a major theme in Allport's work?

Allport described __________ traits as traits that are possessed by only one person.

Allport and Odbert identified 17,953 trait names by studying

Allport's saying, "The same heat that melts the butter hardens the egg" illustrates

According to Allport, the ultimate real unit of personality is

Which statement best describes Allport's attitude toward heredity?