Question 1

________ refers to how much of a stimulus is required for it to be perceived.

Accepted Answer

Sensory threshold refers to the minimum intensity of a stimulus that is required for it to be perceived by the senses.

Question 2

The major tenet of psychoanalysis is that ________.

Accepted Answer

The major tenet of psychoanalysis, as proposed by Sigmund Freud, is that the unconscious mind is the most powerful force in personality, influencing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that individuals are not fully aware of.

Question 3

In the context of Hans Eysenck's biological theory of personality, why do introverts require a lower stimulus level to arouse them and reach their "comfort zone" than do extraverts?

Accepted Answer

Introverts have higher baseline levels of cortical arousal, meaning their brains are naturally more stimulated than those of extraverts. This higher level of natural stimulation means they require less external stimulus to feel aroused or alert, leading to a preference for less stimulating environments to maintain their optimal level of arousal.

Question 4

Which of the following is an assumption of the psychoanalytic perspective of personality?

Accepted Answer

The psychoanalytic perspective, pioneered by Sigmund Freud, posits that personality is primarily formed by early childhood experiences and that much of it is unconscious. This perspective emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior and personality development, distinguishing it from other theories that might focus on conscious traits, self-actualization, or the situation-specific nature of behavior.

Question 5

Rudo remains detached at school and does not get involved emotionally. He doesn't seem to care that his classmates perceive him to be what he is not. Karen Horney's psychoanalytic theory suggests that Rudo has a neurotic trend of ________.

Accepted Answer

Karen Horney's psychoanalytic theory identifies three neurotic trends: moving toward others, moving against others, and moving away from others. Rudo's behavior of remaining detached and not getting involved emotionally aligns with the "moving away from others" trend, which is characterized by a need for independence and withdrawal from relationships to avoid being hurt or rejected.

Question 6

Darla is psychologically balanced and healthy. According to Sigmund Freud's notion that the human mind has three distinct "provinces," which of the following statements is true of Darla?

Accepted Answer

Freud's theory posits that a psychologically balanced and healthy individual has a well-developed ego, which effectively manages the demands of both the id and the superego, maintaining a healthy balance.

Question 7

Which of the following dimensions of personality reflects how people in Asian cultures tend to be more concerned about the impact of their behavior on their family, friends, and social groups?

Accepted Answer

Collectivism is the dimension of personality that reflects a focus on the group rather than on oneself. In collectivist cultures, like many found in Asia, there is a strong emphasis on the importance of the community and social harmony, and individuals often prioritize the needs and goals of the group over their own personal desires.

Question 8

Which of the following is the core idea behind positive psychology?

Accepted Answer

Positive psychology is centered on studying and promoting positive states, experiences, and traits, such as happiness, optimism, and well-being, rather than focusing on mental disorders or negative aspects of human behavior.

Question 9

According to Freud, the ________ develops around age two or three and helps us acknowledge what is right and what is wrong.

Accepted Answer

According to Freud, the superego develops around age two or three and functions to acknowledge what is right and what is wrong, acting as a moral compass.

Question 10

From the following scenarios, which of the following behavioral geneticists is most likely using the quantitative trait loci (QTL) approach to study personality?

Accepted Answer

Martin's work in tracking down genetic markers associated with compassion is an example of using the QTL approach, which involves identifying specific genetic variations that are associated with particular traits, such as aspects of personality.

Question 11

________ was a new scientific movement started in the late 1990s that combined Freudian ideas with neuroscientific methods.

Accepted Answer

Neuropsychoanalysis is the correct answer because it specifically refers to the integration of psychoanalytic theory (originating from Freudian ideas) with the findings and methods of neuroscience, which began gaining momentum in the late 1990s.

Question 12

In the context of the origins of personality, which of the following is true of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) approach?

Accepted Answer

The quantitative trait loci (QTL) approach aims to identify the specific locations on genes that are associated with variations in a trait, including personality traits. This method does not primarily focus on twin similarities, environmental influences, or nurtured markers, but rather on the genetic underpinnings of traits.

Question 13

The ________ method of personality questionnaires involves using reason or theory to come up with a question.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ________ method of personality questionnaires involves...

Question 14

Which of the following is true about people who attain self-actualization?

Accepted Answer

Self-actualizing people often experience peak experiences, moments of profound personal importance or personal meaning that can shape their lives. This is consistent with Maslow's hierarchy of needs, where self-actualization is at the top, characterized by the realization of personal potential, self-fulfillment, and seeking personal growth and peak experiences.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true about personality changes across a life span?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that as people age from adolescence through late adulthood, they tend to become more agreeable and conscientious. This is part of the natural maturation process and reflects changes in social roles and personal priorities.

Question 16

Eleanor takes immense pride in herself. She competes with other people at every given opportunity and is easily angered when things do not go as planned. Karen Horney's theory suggests that Eleanor has a neurotic trend of ________.

Accepted Answer

Karen Horney's theory suggests that individuals with a neurotic trend of moving against others are competitive, seek to excel over others, and can become easily angered when their expectations are not met, which aligns with Eleanor's behavior.

Question 17

With regard to personality dimensions, ________ can be defined as anything done by an employee that is intentionally negative for his or her organization.

Accepted Answer

Counterproductive work behaviors are intentional actions by employees that are harmful to the organization or its members. These behaviors can include theft, sabotage, and other forms of workplace deviance.

Question 18

________, as a defense mechanism, is the unconscious act of keeping threatening or disturbing thoughts, feelings, or impulses out of consciousness.

Accepted Answer

Repression is the psychological defense mechanism where an individual unconsciously blocks unwanted thoughts, feelings, or impulses from entering their consciousness, helping to minimize anxiety or distress.

Question 19

According to Karen Horney, which of the following is true of basic anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Basic anxiety, according to Karen Horney, is a feeling of being isolated and helpless in a potentially hostile world, and it is not inherently neurotic. It becomes problematic when it leads to neurotic behaviors.

Question 20

According to Carl Jung, ________ consists of all our repressed and hidden thoughts, feelings, and motives.

Accepted Answer

According to Carl Jung, the personal unconscious consists of all our repressed and hidden thoughts, feelings, and motives. It is distinct from the collective unconscious, which is shared among beings of the same species and contains archetypes.

Quiz 12: Personality: The Uniqueness of the Individual