Question 1

Which of the following personality traits is associated with having large 'reward areas' in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Extraversion is associated with having large 'reward areas' in the brain, which involve dopamine release and sensitivity to rewards. This can make individuals high in extraversion more attracted to and motivated by pleasurable experiences and social interaction.

Question 2

Assume that personality researchers have isolated a new trait they called "prajna." What would it indicate if these researchers report that fraternal twins reared together are more similar in this trait than identical twins reared apart?

Accepted Answer

The fact that fraternal twins reared together are more similar in prajna than identical twins reared apart suggests that environment has a larger influence than genetics in the expression of this trait. If genetics were the primary factor influencing prajna expression, then identical twins, who share 100% of their genetic material, would be more similar than fraternal twins, who share only 50% of their genetic material. However, the fact that rearing environment seems to have a larger influence suggests that environmental factors, such as parenting practices or cultural values, may play a more significant role in shaping prajna.

Question 3

Which of the following is true of evolutionary theories of personality in comparison to Eysenck's theory of personality?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true of...

Question 4

Greta is an outgoing and charming woman. There are a few things that really make her defensive and angry, however. She is very patriotic, and she won't tolerate anyone criticizing her country or her culture. Which of the following personality theories would help explain Greta's patriotism?

Accepted Answer

Terror management theory states that people often develop strong attachments and defenses towards their cultural and national identity as a way of coping with the fear of death. Greta's patriotism, which she becomes defensive about, fits with this explanation.

Question 5

Which of the following types of studies reveals that the Big Five personality traits have a genetic component?

Accepted Answer

Twin studies involve genetically identical (monozygotic) and fraternal (dizygotic) twins who share different genetic similarities. Comparing the degree of similarity in traits between these twins provides insights into the genetic and environmental components of personality. Several twin studies have shown that the Big Five personality traits have a heritability estimate of around 50%, which means that about half of the differences in these traits among people are due to genetic factors.

Question 6

Isaiah just completed a personality scale designed to measure the three higher-order traits identified by Hans Eysenck. He scored low in the personality trait of psychoticism. What does this suggest about Isaiah?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Isaiah just completed a personality scale designed...

Question 7

Dr. Price believes that personality is largely determined by an individual's genetic makeup. Which of the following theorists is Dr. Price's view of personality most similar to?

Accepted Answer

Hans Eysenck believed that personality traits were largely inherited and biologically determined. He identified three major dimensions of personality: extraversion/introversion, neuroticism/emotional stability, and psychoticism. Dr. Price's belief in the role of genetics in personality is similar to Eysenck's perspective.

Question 8

Which of the following is a problem associated with focusing on establishing heritability coefficients?

Accepted Answer

Heritability coefficients can vary based on several factors such as different sampling procedures, environmental factors, and methodology used. Therefore, relying solely on heritability coefficients may not provide accurate information about the genetic contribution to personality.

Question 9

According to the evolutionary approach to personality, humans have evolved to evaluate whether someone has the capacity to be an innovative problem solver. Which of the following Big Five personality traits is closely associated with the capacity for innovative problem solving?

Accepted Answer

Openness to experience is closely associated with the capacity for innovative problem solving, as individuals high in this trait are creative, curious, and open-minded. They are more likely to generate and consider unconventional ideas and solutions to problems.

Question 10

Which of the following types of people is most likely to post very provocative items on Facebook in order to get attention and approval?

Accepted Answer

Narcissists are characterized by a desire for attention, admiration, and validation from others. Posting provocative items on Facebook may be a way for them to fulfill these needs by seeking attention and approval from their followers. Psychopaths may also engage in attention-seeking behavior, but this typically involves more manipulative tactics such as lying or exploiting others. Introverts and extraverts may or may not engage in attention-seeking behavior, as this is not inherently linked to their personality traits.

Question 11

According to the evolutionary approach to personality, humans have evolved to pay attention to variations in the tendency to be reliable and ethical. Which of the following Big Five personality traits is this closely associated with?

Accepted Answer

The trait that is closely associated with variations in the tendency to be reliable and ethical is conscientiousness. The evolutionary approach to personality suggests that this trait has evolved because it is advantageous for survival and reproductive success. Individuals who are conscientious are more likely to be trustworthy, dependable, and responsible, and thus more likely to be successful in social and reproductive contexts.

Question 12

Which of the following personality theorists contends that personality is determined to a large extent by a person's genes?

Accepted Answer

Hans Eysenck proposed that personality has a biological basis and that individual differences in personality are largely due to differences in genetics. He argued that there are three fundamental personality dimensions (introversion-extraversion, neuroticism-stability, and psychoticism-normalcy) which are biologically determined.

Question 13

Sandra has often been called a 'spoiled brat' even though she's an adult. She has a strong need for attention, and she is very self-centred. Which of the following personality traits describes Sandra best?

Accepted Answer

Narcissism is characterized by a sense of entitlement, constant need for admiration and attention, and a lack of empathy for others. Sandra's strong need for attention and self-centeredness align with the traits associated with narcissism. Psychoticism refers to a tendency towards aggression and impulsivity, which is not mentioned as a trait in this scenario. Neuroticism is characterized by high levels of emotional instability, anxiety, and moodiness, which is not necessarily applicable to Sandra's situation. Introversion is characterized by a preference for solitary activities rather than social interaction, which does not fit with Sandra's desire for attention.

Question 14

Which of the following appears to have a surprisingly small impact on personality, based on research on the heritability of personality?

Accepted Answer

Research on the heritability of personality suggests that shared family environment has a surprisingly small impact on personality, while genetics (i.e., heredity) plays a significant role. Unique experiences, such as individual life events and personal choices, can also impact personality. The role of unconscious motivation in shaping personality is still a topic of debate among psychologists.

Question 15

Which of the following is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The dichotomy of nature and nurture is ultimately artificial, as personality is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. It is difficult to quantify the exact degree to which each factor contributes, and the two are often interconnected. Therefore, efforts to divide behavior into separate genetic and environmental components are misleading.

Question 16

Assume that personality researchers have isolated a new trait they called "nescience." What would it indicate if these researchers report that identical twins reared together and identical twins reared apart show the same correspondence for this particular trait,?

Accepted Answer

If identical twins reared together and apart show the same correspondence for the new trait of nescience, it suggests that genetics has a larger influence than environment in the expression of this trait. Identical twins share 100% of their genes, so if they both show a high level of nescience, it suggests that this trait is heavily influenced by genes. If the trait were mainly influenced by environment, then twins reared apart would show less correspondence for this trait, as they were exposed to different environments.

Question 17

According to the evolutionary approach to personality, humans have evolved special sensitivity to variations in the ability to bond with others. Which of the following Big Five personality traits is this closely associated with?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the evolutionary approach to personality,...

Question 18

What are the heritability estimates for personality traits?

Accepted Answer

Heritability estimates for personality traits are generally between 40 and 60 percent, which means that a large portion of individual differences in personality can be attributed to genetic factors. However, it's important to note that environmental factors also play a significant role in shaping personality.

Question 19

What is likely to happen to people who condition easily, according to Hans Eysenck?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is likely to happen to people...

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT one of the main weaknesses in biological approaches to personality?

Accepted Answer

An overly optimistic view of human nature is not a weakness commonly associated with biological approaches to personality, but rather a criticism of humanistic and positive psychology perspectives. The main weaknesses of biological approaches are related to the challenges of accurately assessing genetic and environmental influences on personality, and the lack of a comprehensive theoretical framework to explain how these factors interact.

Quiz 12: A: Personality: Theory, Research, and Assessment