Question 1

Which theories seek to describe personality in terms of a small number of underlying personality factors?

Accepted Answer

The trait theory of personality posits that there are a small number of underlying traits or dimensions that characterize an individual's personality. These traits or dimensions are thought to be relatively stable and consistent across situations and over time, and can be used to predict a wide range of behaviors and outcomes. Examples of commonly recognized personality factors include extraversion/introversion, openness to experience, conscientiousness, neuroticism/emotional stability, and agreeableness.

Question 2

Ramon would be described as relaxed,thoughtful,unaggressive,and quiet and tends to appreciate smooth and relaxing music,such as soft rock and r&b.According to Rentfrow,Ramon would fit into which music-personality category?

Accepted Answer

Ramon's personality traits suggest that he would fit into the mellow music-personality category, which is characterized by a preference for relaxing and soothing music. This category aligns with Ramon's appreciation for soft rock and r&b.

Question 3

In a series of studies,Peter Rentfrow found that the types of music which people prefer tend to be associated with their personality characteristics.The five music-personality categories are

Accepted Answer

The categories listed in option B (mellow, unpretentious, sophisticated, intense, and contemporary) align with Rentfrow's research on music-personality relationships. For example, those who prefer "mellow" music tend to score high on agreeableness and low on extraversion, while those who prefer "intense" music tend to score high on openness and extraversion.

Question 4

Trait theorists believe that we have a hereditary readiness to behave in particular ways since they think of traits as

Accepted Answer

Trait theorists view traits as biological predispositions, meaning they are innate and hereditary. Therefore, option B is the most accurate choice. Option A is incorrect as mini cardinal types are a concept used in evolutionary biology. Option C refers to a different concept related to personality assessment, and option D relates to the future self-concept which is not directly related to trait theory.

Question 5

To better understand personality,trait theorists attempt to

Accepted Answer

Trait theorists attempt to analyze, classify, and interrelate traits in order to better understand personality. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 6

According to Rentfrow,people in the unpretentious category are cheerful,extroverted,reliable,helpful,and conservative and tend to enjoy

Accepted Answer

Rentfrow's research suggests that people in the unpretentious category tend to enjoy music that is upbeat, conventional, and familiar, such as country, pop, religious, and rock-n-roll.

Question 7

Researchers have found that students are more likely to prefer to meet and talk to people through the Internet than face-to-face if they are high in the trait of

Accepted Answer

Introverts tend to feel more comfortable communicating through written text, which is common in internet communication, than through face-to-face interactions.

Question 8

Gayle would be described as cheerful,conventional,extroverted,reliable,helpful,and conservative and tends to enjoy upbeat conventional music,such as country and rock-n-roll.According to Rentfrow,Gayle would fit into which music-personality category?

Accepted Answer

According to Rentfrow's model, individuals who are cheerful, conventional, extroverted, and reliable tend to enjoy unpretentious music, such as country and rock-n-roll. Therefore, Gayle would fit into the unpretentious category (option C).

Question 9

According to Rentfrow,people in the mellow category are thoughtful,unaggressive,and quiet and tend to appreciate

Accepted Answer

People in the mellow category appreciate smooth and relaxing music, which aligns with the description of contemporary adult, R&B, soft rock, and soul.

Question 10

In a series of studies,Peter Rentfrow found that which of the following tended to be associated with people's personality characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Rentfrow's studies found that people's personality traits were associated with their taste in music. For example, people who were more open to new experiences tended to enjoy a variety of music genres, while people who were more neurotic tended to prefer music that was calming and relaxing. Preferences in food, dress, and entertainment were not found to be consistently associated with personality traits.

Question 11

An adjective checklist would most likely be used by a

Accepted Answer

Trait theorists are most likely to use an adjective checklist as it is a tool commonly used in trait theory to measure personality traits. Psychodynamic therapists focus on unconscious processes and childhood experiences, behaviorists focus on observable behavior and reinforcement, and humanistic therapists focus on the individual's subjective experience and self-actualization, making an adjective checklist less relevant to their theoretical perspectives.

Question 12

In a series of studies,Peter Rentfrow found that the types of music which people prefer tend to be associated with their personality characteristics.Which of the following is NOT one of the five music-personality categories?

Accepted Answer

The five music-personality categories identified by Peter Rentfrow are mellow, unpretentious, sophisticated, intense, and contemporary. "Unconventional" is not one of these categories.

Question 13

The trait approach would be used to identify

Accepted Answer

The trait approach is focused on identifying stable qualities that a person displays in most situations. It is a personality theory that seeks to understand personality by identifying and measuring the basic traits that make up human personality. It is not concerned with possible selves, situation-specific behaviors or characteristics shared by a group or culture.

Question 14

Sissy approaches most situations with optimism but tends to expect the worst each time she applies for a job and worries that she won't get it.If her pessimism is limited to this situation or just a few others,then

Accepted Answer

Sissy approaches most situations with optimism, indicating that optimism is a stable disposition for her. However, her pessimism in the specific situation of applying for jobs does not necessarily override her overall tendency towards optimism. Therefore, the trait of optimism would still be an accurate description for Sissy.

Question 15

Approximately how many English words refer to personal characteristics?

Accepted Answer

According to a study conducted by Oxford University Press, there are approximately 18,000 English words that refer to personal characteristics.

Question 16

If you were asked to describe the personality of your best friend,and you said that she was optimistic,reserved,and friendly,you would be using the _______ approach.

Accepted Answer

The trait approach focuses on identifying and describing the unique characteristics that make up an individual's personality, such as optimism, reserve, and friendliness. This approach is particularly relevant when describing someone's personality in terms of specific traits or qualities they possess.

Question 17

Regarding introversion-extroversion,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

This statement is false because research has shown that extroverted individuals are more likely to prefer face-to-face communication rather than communicating through technology. They enjoy interacting with people in person and feed off the social energy of others.

Question 18

The dominant approach to the study of personality is currently the _______ approach.

Accepted Answer

The trait approach, also known as the Big Five personality traits, is currently the dominant approach to studying personality. This approach focuses on five broad dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Many contemporary personality psychologists believe that these traits are the fundamental building blocks of personality and can be used to predict behavior across different situations.

Question 19

Jorge goes to a psychologist who will identify,classify,and analyze Jorge's stable enduring characteristics.Once these characteristics are identified and analyzed,they can be used to predict future behavior.This psychologist is utilizing the _______ approach.

Accepted Answer

The trait approach focuses on identifying and analyzing stable, enduring characteristics of an individual, which can be used to predict future behavior. This approach is based on the belief that individual differences in behavior can be explained through the examination of specific traits or characteristics. The other options, such as psychodynamic, behavioristic, and humanistic, do not specifically focus on identifying and analyzing stable individual characteristics for the purpose of predicting future behavior.

Question 20

Of the various trait theories,which of the following is currently the most influential and proposes that all personalities vary along the key factors of extroversion,agreeableness,conscientiousness,neuroticism,and openness to experience?

Accepted Answer

The Five Factor Personality Model, also known as the Big Five Model, is currently the most influential trait theory and proposes that all personalities vary along the key factors of extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience. Cattell's surface-source trait model and Allport's theory of individual traits are older trait theories that have been largely replaced by the Five Factor Model. The Myers-Brigg Type Indicator is not a trait theory, but rather a personality assessment based on Jungian psychology.

Quiz 51: Personality: Trait Theories