Question 1

One of the most influential trait theorists was ________, who recognized that not all traits have equal weight and significance in people's lives.

Accepted Answer

Gordon Allport is known for his trait theory of personality, which emphasized the uniqueness of each individual and the importance of understanding the individual's subjective experience. He recognized that not all traits are equally important and developed a hierarchy of traits, with cardinal traits being the most dominant and pervasive in a person's life, followed by central traits and secondary traits.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the Big Five personality traits?

Accepted Answer

The Big Five personality traits are neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and extraversion. Psychoticism is not one of the Big Five traits, although it is sometimes included as a sixth factor by some researchers.

Question 3

________ describes the extent to which people are imaginative and questioning, or conforming and predictable.

Accepted Answer

Openness to experience is the personality trait that describes the extent to which people are imaginative and questioning, or conforming and predictable. This trait is often associated with creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace new ideas and experiences.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT one of the "Big Five" personality factors?

Accepted Answer

Optimism vs. pessimism is not one of the Big Five personality factors. The five factors are openness to experience, agreeableness vs. antagonism, extroversion vs. introversion, conscientiousness vs. impulsiveness, and neuroticism vs. emotional stability.

Question 5

A person is described by others as organized, responsible, and cautious. This description pertains to the ________ factor of the Big Five.

Accepted Answer

The traits of being organized, responsible, and cautious align with the factor of conscientiousness in the Big Five personality traits model.

Question 6

________ used factor analysis to identify 16 personality factors.

Accepted Answer

Raymond Cattell is known for using factor analysis to identify 16 personality factors, which he called the 16PF (16 Personality Factors) model.

Question 7

Professor Benvolio's personality course emphasizes the importance of Gordon Allport's contributions to the field of psychology. Prof. Benvolio would be most likely to agree that:

Accepted Answer

Gordon Allport is famous for his trait theory, which suggests that individuals have specific traits that help define their personality. Allport believed that individuals have five to ten central traits that define who they are and how they relate to others. This aligns with option A.

Question 8

Factor analysis was used by ________ in order to confirm the idea that traits vary in their "centrality" to the individual.

Accepted Answer

Raymond B. Cattell used factor analysis to identify 16 personality factors, including his concept of "central traits" which he believed were most characteristic of an individual's personality and played a more influential role in shaping behavior.

Question 9

________ describes whether people are cooperative and secure, or irritable and abrasive.

Accepted Answer

Agreeableness vs. antagonism is the dimension that describes whether people are cooperative and secure or irritable and abrasive. Extroversion vs. introversion describes whether people are outgoing and assertive or reserved and quiet. Openness to experience vs. resistance to new experience describes whether people are open to new ideas and experiences or prefer familiar routines. Neuroticism vs. emotional stability describes whether people are prone to anxiety and moodiness or are more emotionally stable.

Question 10

________ describes whether people are steadfast and persevering, or fickle and careless.

Accepted Answer

This question is asking about the trait of perseverance, which is closely related to conscientiousness. Conscientious people tend to be reliable and diligent, while those who are more impulsive may be fickle and careless. Therefore, choice D, Conscientiousness vs. impulsiveness, is the best answer.

Question 11

Janine had always worried that people did not really like her. She found it very difficult to relax in social situations, as she was so concerned about self-perception. Janine would score high on the following personality trait:

Accepted Answer

Janine's concern about other people's perception of her suggests high levels of neuroticism, which is defined as a tendency to experience negative emotional states such as anxiety, worry, and insecurity.

Question 12

Ryan is the type of person you can rely on. He is a very committed employee who works very hard to ensure his clients' satisfaction. Ryan would score high on the personality trait of:

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness refers to an individual's level of organization, responsibility, and dependability, which are qualities that are apparent in Ryan's work ethic.

Question 13

Recently, there has been a consensus that ________ factors best characterize personality.

Accepted Answer

The five-factor model (FFM) of personality, also known as the Big Five personality traits, has gained widespread acceptance in contemporary psychology. The FFM includes openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.

Question 14

Which trait among the Big Five typically decreases in later adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Extroversion typically decreases in later adulthood as individuals tend to become more introspective and less interested in social activities.

Question 15

________ describes the extent to which people are outgoing or shy.

Accepted Answer

Extroversion vs. introversion is the personality trait that describes the extent to which people are outgoing or shy.

Question 16

Chloe loved to live on the edge. Last week at work she improvised an important presentation to the vice presidents of her company. During her free time she enjoys rock climbing and sky diving, and she is always the life of the party. Chloe would score high on the following personality trait:

Accepted Answer

Chloe's love for exciting and stimulating activities, along with her outgoing nature, suggest that she is high in extroversion.

Question 17

Raymond Cattell advanced the study of personality by:

Accepted Answer

Raymond Cattell advanced the study of personality by using factor analysis to identify and measure the primary traits that make up our personalities, including the 16PF (16 Personality Factors) model. He believed that personality traits were hierarchical and could be divided into source traits (broad, underlying factors) and surface traits (specific behavioral tendencies).

Question 18

A student describes herself as liking The Simpsons, the music of Britney Spears, and fast food. According to Gordon Allport's approach, she is describing some of her ________ traits.

Accepted Answer

Secondary traits are preferences or attitudes that are not as fundamental to the personality as central traits but still provide insight into an individual's likes and dislikes.

Question 19

________ describes the extent to which people are anxious and impulsive.

Accepted Answer

Neuroticism refers to traits such as anxiety, insecurity, and impulsivity, while emotional stability refers to the opposite traits of calmness, confidence, and self-control. Therefore, option D is the most fitting description.

Question 20

According to Gordon Allport, most individuals have ________ central trait(s) that reflect(s) a characteristic way of behaving, dealing with others, and reacting to new situations.

Accepted Answer

Gordon Allport suggested that most individuals have 5 to 10 central traits that are fundamental to their personality and influence their behavior across various situations.

Quiz 14: Theories of Personality