Question 1

Research on genetic determinants of personality tell us that
A)personality is fixed at birth.
B)most, but not all, of adult personality is determined by genetics.
C)a significant percentage of adult personality is determined by genetics, but experience also plays a large role.
D)except for a few traits, there is very little genetic influence on personality.

Accepted Answer

Research on genetic determinants of personality suggests that while a significant percentage of adult personality is determined by genetics, experience and environmental factors also play a large role in shaping personality. It is not fixed at birth, nor is it entirely determined by genetics.

Question 2

You know a woman who has many friends and is often out having fun.But this woman also typically acts before thinking,thus bringing her a lot of trouble.This woman is probably
A)high on neuroticism.
B)low on neuroticism.
C)an extravert.
D)an introvert.

Accepted Answer

This woman is described as having many friends and often going out to have fun, indicating an extraverted personality. However, her tendency to act before thinking and get into trouble suggests impulsivity rather than neuroticism.

Question 3

Margaret is an extravert. She has to study for a test in the morning. Where is the most likely place she will choose to study?
A)In a quiet room
B)Alone in an isolated study area in the library
C)In an open area in the library where she can see a lot of other students
D)Outside in a place where others can't disturb her

Accepted Answer

As an extravert, Margaret is likely energized by being around other people. She may find it difficult to concentrate in a quiet room or alone in an isolated study area. However, studying in an open area where she can see other students may provide just enough social stimulation without being too distracting.

Question 4

The genetic influence of some personality traits may not be seen unless a specific combination of genes in inherited. Such complex influences are known as
A)monozygotic influences.
B)nonadditive effects.
C)combinatorial effects.
D)genetic correlations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The genetic influence of some personality traits...

Question 5

The fact that friends often serve as a buffer against stress supports the idea that extraverts
A)are generally more anxious than introverts.
B)have higher positive affect due to greater social activity.
C)are less sensitive to information about rewards than introverts.
D)often find interacting with friends to be an unpleasant experience.

Accepted Answer

The fact that friends serve as a buffer against stress suggests that socializing with friends is a positive experience, which would likely contribute to higher positive affect in extraverts due to their greater social activity.

Question 6

For extraverts,friends often serve as an important buffer against stress. This finding supports the idea that extraverts
A)are generally more anxious than introverts.
B)often find interacting with friends an unpleasant experience.
C)are less sensitive to information about rewards than introverts.
D)have higher positive affect due to greater social activity.

Accepted Answer

The statement that friends serve as an important buffer against stress for extraverts suggests that extraverts engage in more social activity, which can lead to higher positive affect. Therefore, choice D, which states that extraverts have higher positive affect due to greater social activity, is the best choice. The other options are not supported by the information given.

Question 7

Research on extraversion-introversion has found
A)consistent evidence for a genetic component to extraversion-introversion.
B)some evidence for a genetic component to extraversion-introversion, but a significant amount of research that disputes this.
C)almost no evidence for a genetic component to extraversion-introversion.
D)consistent evidence arguing against a genetic component to extraversion-introversion.

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently found evidence for a genetic component to extraversion-introversion, indicating that these personality traits have a heritable aspect.

Question 8

As reported in the textbook,research demonstrating a genetic influence on a person's level of extraversion-introversion comes primarily from research
A)using the twin-study method.
B)comparing adopted children and biological children to their parents.
C)comparing strength of relationship with similarity of personality scores.
D)comparing adopted children's personalities with the personalities of their biological parents.

Accepted Answer

The textbook reports that research demonstrating a genetic influence on a person's level of extraversion-introversion comes primarily from studies using the twin-study method, which compares identical and fraternal twins who were raised together or apart.

Question 9

Based on research on extraversion-introversion,which piece of advice seems justified?
A)Extraverts should isolate themselves in a quiet place if they are going to get any work done.
B)Introverts should move to a more stimulating environment if they are having trouble studying.
C)Because they are less aware of external disturbances than extraverts are, introverts should be better able to study in a room filled with potential distractions.
D)Introverts should study in quieter places than extraverts study.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that introverts tend to work better in quiet, low-stimulation environments, while extraverts tend to thrive in more stimulating environments. Therefore, it is more beneficial for introverts to study in quieter places than extraverts.

Question 10

Some investigators suggest that genetic influences on personality may not be seen unless a unique combination of more than one gene is inherited. Researchers refer to these complex influences as ________ effects.
A)interactive
B)nonadditive
C)multiple-gene
D)compound

Accepted Answer

Nonadditive effects refer to the concept that the influence of one gene can be dependent on the presence or absence of another gene, indicating that the effect of inheriting a specific combination of genes is not merely the sum of their individual effects. This aligns with the idea that a unique combination of more than one gene is required to see genetic influences on personality, as described in the question.

Question 11

Those acquaintances of yours who prefer quiet and perhaps isolated rooms in which to study are,according to research,more likely to be
A)neurotics.
B)extraverts.
C)introverts
D)of no particular personality.

Accepted Answer

This question is testing knowledge of the traits typically associated with introverted vs. extroverted personalities. Introverts are known for preferring quieter, more isolated environments in order to focus and recharge, while extroverts tend to thrive in more social and stimulating environments. Therefore, the best choice for the acquaintances described in the question is C) introverts.

Question 12

Which of the following is a problem for the assumption that MZ and DZ twins are raised in equally similar environments?
A)DZ twins may be treated more alike than identical twins.
B)MZ twins purposefully join different clubs and have different friends.
C)MZ twins may share more of their environment than DZ twins.
D)All of these

Accepted Answer

MZ twins may share more of their environment than DZ twins, which challenges the assumption that both types of twins are raised in equally similar environments.

Question 13

One team of investigators examined where extraverts and introverts sat in the library.They based their predictions on which of the following notions?
A)Extraverts enjoy people more than introverts do.
B)Introverts are more likely to study in the library than extraverts.
C)Extraverts and introverts have different levels of preferred arousal and different sensitivity to stimulation.
D)Introverts are less spontaneous than extraverts.

Accepted Answer

The investigators are examining where extraverts and introverts sit in the library based on their different levels of preferred arousal and sensitivity to stimulation. This aligns with the notion that extraverts seek out more stimulation and prefer more social situations, while introverts prefer quieter, less stimulating environments. Choice A is too broad a generalization about extraverts and introverts, and choice B does not necessarily reflect personality differences between the two groups. Choice D is also an overly simplistic characterization of introverts.

Question 14

Research on the genetic heritability of extraversion-introversion has made use of
A)brain electrical activity measures.
B)the twin-study method.
C)differences in sensitivity to stimulation.
D)only twins that have been reared together (in the same environment).

Accepted Answer

Research on the genetic heritability of extraversion-introversion has made use of the twin-study method, which involves comparing the similarity of identical twins (who share all of their genes) to the similarity of fraternal twins (who share only about half of their genes). This allows researchers to estimate the degree to which genetic factors contribute to individual differences in extraversion-introversion.

Question 15

Which of the following hypothetical research findings would present a problem for researchers trying to interpret results from a twin-study design?
A)Parents of monozygotic twins treat the two twins more alike than do parents of dizygotic twins.
B)Dizygotic twins don't look as much like one another as do monozygotic twins.
C)Parents treat female pairs of twins differently than they treat male twins.
D)There are more dizygotic twins born each year than monozygotic twins.

Accepted Answer

In a twin-study design, researchers use monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins to understand the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to traits or behaviors. If parents of monozygotic twins treat them more alike than parents of dizygotic twins, it could confound the results as the similarity in treatment could be mistaken for genetic similarity rather than environmental similarity. This could lead to an overestimation of the genetic contribution to a trait or behavior. The other options, such as differences in physical appearance or the number of twin births, are not as directly relevant to the twin-study design or its interpretation.

Question 16

One reason twin studies produce higher estimates of heritability than some other methods may be that the twin studies
A)capture nonadditive effects of genetics.
B)often incorrectly classify dizygotic and monozygotic twins.
C)are based on small samples.
D)overlook gender differences.

Accepted Answer

Twin studies have the advantage of being able to capture nonadditive effects of genetics, which other methods may not fully capture. Nonadditive effects involve interactions between genes or between genes and the environment, which can lead to greater variation in traits and higher heritability estimates.

Question 17

Research finds that,compared to introverts,extraverts tend to
A)be happier, but only on weekends.
B)be less happy.
C)have higher levels of subjective well-being and happiness.
D)be just about as happy, but they enjoy different things.

Accepted Answer

Research consistently finds that extraverts have higher levels of subjective well-being and happiness compared to introverts. This may be due to extraverts' tendency to seek out social situations and positive experiences, which can lead to increased positive emotions and life satisfaction.

Question 18

A team of researchers examined where extraverts and introverts sat in the library. Which of the following did the team find?
A)Extraverts preferred open, accessible locations, whereas introverts preferred isolated locations.
B)Introverts preferred open, accessible locations, whereas extraverts preferred isolated locations.
C)Extraverts enjoyed open, accessible locations better, but got more work done in an isolated location.
D)a clear pattern for extraverts, but no preferred location for introverts

Accepted Answer

The team found that extraverts preferred open, accessible locations, whereas introverts preferred isolated locations.

Question 19

Critics have pointed to several weaknesses in the research used to make a case for the role of genetics on personality development.Their criticisms include each of the following points except one.Which one?
A)Dizygotic twins may share an environment more alike than the environment shared by monozygotic twins.
B)Families who adopt children are different from those who do not adopt.
C)Parents may treat adopted children differently than they treat biological children.
D)Parents of dizygotic twins may look for and emphasize the differences between the twins more than parents of monozygotic twins.

Accepted Answer

A) is incorrect because it contradicts the common assumption in twin studies that dizygotic (fraternal) twins and monozygotic (identical) twins share their environments to a similar degree. The criticisms usually focus on the genetic interpretations of similarities between twins, not on the environmental similarities being greater for dizygotic twins.

Question 20

Which of the following kinds of data provides the weakest scientific evidence for a genetic influence on personality?
A)Twin-study data
B)Similarity between personalities of parents and children raised by their parents
C)Adoption studies data
D)Comparing personalities of twins separated at birth

Accepted Answer

While similarity between personalities of parents and children may suggest a genetic influence on personality, it is also influenced by environmental factors such as upbringing and socialization. Therefore, it provides weaker scientific evidence compared to twin-study data or adoption studies data, which can control for environmental influences. Comparing personalities of twins separated at birth also provides strong evidence for genetic influence on personality.

Quiz 10: The Biological Approach: Relevant Research

Research on genetic determinants of personality tell us that

You know a woman who has many friends and is often out having fun.But this woman also typically acts before thinking,thus bringing her a lot of trouble.This woman is probably

Margaret is an extravert. She has to study for a test in the morning. Where is the most likely place she will choose to study?

The genetic influence of some personality traits may not be seen unless a specific combination of genes in inherited. Such complex influences are known as

The fact that friends often serve as a buffer against stress supports the idea that extraverts

For extraverts,friends often serve as an important buffer against stress. This finding supports the idea that extraverts

Research on extraversion-introversion has found

As reported in the textbook,research demonstrating a genetic influence on a person's level of extraversion-introversion comes primarily from research

Based on research on extraversion-introversion,which piece of advice seems justified?

Some investigators suggest that genetic influences on personality may not be seen unless a unique combination of more than one gene is inherited. Researchers refer to these complex influences as ________ effects.

Those acquaintances of yours who prefer quiet and perhaps isolated rooms in which to study are,according to research,more likely to be

Which of the following is a problem for the assumption that MZ and DZ twins are raised in equally similar environments?

One team of investigators examined where extraverts and introverts sat in the library.They based their predictions on which of the following notions?

Research on the genetic heritability of extraversion-introversion has made use of

Which of the following hypothetical research findings would present a problem for researchers trying to interpret results from a twin-study design?

One reason twin studies produce higher estimates of heritability than some other methods may be that the twin studies

Research finds that,compared to introverts,extraverts tend to

A team of researchers examined where extraverts and introverts sat in the library. Which of the following did the team find?

Critics have pointed to several weaknesses in the research used to make a case for the role of genetics on personality development.Their criticisms include each of the following points except one.Which one?

Which of the following kinds of data provides the weakest scientific evidence for a genetic influence on personality?