Question 1

Relative to one another in terms of level of organization and degree of abstraction, the following statement is true about the concepts of trait and type.
A) They are at the same level of organization and abstraction.
B) The concept of trait suggests more organization and more abstraction than the concept of type.
C) The concept of type suggests more organization and more abstraction than the concept of trait.
D) No general tendency can be found in relation to the two concepts.

Accepted Answer

The concept of type suggests more organization and more abstraction than the concept of trait. Traits refer to specific characteristics or attributes that an individual possesses, whereas types refer to broader categorical groupings based on shared characteristics. Therefore, types suggest a higher level of organization and abstraction than traits.

Question 2

The more stable aspects of the person's functioning and the more fluid, changing aspects are covered by the concepts of
A) growth and development.
B) process and motive.
C) motive and development.
D) structure and process.

Accepted Answer

The concepts of "structure" and "process" best encompass the idea of stable and changing aspects of a person's functioning, respectively. Structure refers to the relatively stable aspects of a person's psychological makeup, such as personality traits or cognitive abilities. Process, on the other hand, refers to the more dynamic, fluid aspects of psychological functioning, such as emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that can change over time.

Question 3

A unique feature of a course in personality psychology is that, unlike other courses, the focus is on
A) motivation.
B) nervous system functioning.
C) the whole person.
D) social systems and culture.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

The personality concept that refers to individual consistency and approximates the lay person's concepts to describe people is
A) response.
B) habit.
C) trait.
D) motive.

Accepted Answer

The trait concept refers to individual consistency and is the most commonly used concept in personality psychology. It represents the stable patterns of behavior, thoughts, and emotions that distinguish one individual from another.

Question 5

A problem with the "nature versus nurture" formulation is that
A) nature is not important to personality.
B) nurture is not important to personality.
C) neither nature nor nurture is important to personality.
D) the "versus" is the problem, i.e., nature and nurture are not opposing forces.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is D because the formulation of "nature versus nurture" implies that these two factors are opposing forces that play a role in shaping personality. However, research has shown that both nature (genetics) and nurture (environmental factors) interact with each other to influence personality development. Therefore, the opposition between the two is not accurate, making the "versus" problematic.

Question 6

In general terms, the text suggests that the science of personality
A) all of the above.
B) is the study of how individuals differ in their perceptions and how
C) these differences relate to their total functioning.
D) attempts to understand how people are alike while recognizing that individuals are different in some ways.
E) attempts to develop strategies for further research.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In general terms, the text suggests that...

Question 7

Concepts such as trait and type fall into which of the following areas?
A) structure.
B) process.
C) growth and development.
D) psychopathology.

Accepted Answer

Trait and type are concepts related to the structure of personality, specifically individual differences in enduring characteristics or patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion.

Question 8

Goals, drives, and motives have been particularly central to _____ aspect of personality theories.
A) structure
B) process
C) developmental
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

While goals, drives, and motives may play a role in all aspects of personality theories, they are particularly central to the process aspect. The process aspect refers to how personality functions and the underlying mechanisms and processes that determine behavior. Goals, drives, and motives are essential to understanding how and why people behave the way they do, and how personality develops over time.

Question 9

"Why" type questions are those that address
A) the determinants of personality.
B) structural factors.
C) organization of characteristics.
D) motivational characteristics.

Accepted Answer

"Why" type questions often aim to understand the underlying reasons or motivations behind behaviors or characteristics, making motivational characteristics the correct answer.

Question 10

The text emphasizes that a big difference between intuitive theories about people and scientific theories of personality is that the personality scientist must
A) engage in scientific observation.
B) interrelate concepts about people systematically.
C) provide ideas that are testable.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

The text states that personality scientists must engage in scientific observation, interrelate concepts about people systematically, and provide ideas that are testable. Therefore, all of the above options (A, B, and C) are correct.

Question 11

Structural concepts refer to
A) stable aspects of personality.
B) dynamic aspects of personality.
C) parts of the body.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

Structural concepts in psychology typically refer to stable aspects of personality, such as traits or characteristics that remain consistent over time and across situations.

Question 12

The phrase "nature versus nurture" refers to the study of
A) genetic versus environmental influences.
B) unconscious versus conscious influences.
C) family versus peer influences.
D) processes versus structures.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "nature versus nurture" is a longstanding debate in psychology and other fields, which refers to the question of whether human development is primarily influenced by genetic factors ("nature") or environmental factors ("nurture"). This debate has been ongoing for centuries, and scientists have found evidence for both types of influences in different aspects of human development. However, most contemporary researchers agree that both nature and nurture play important roles in shaping human behavior, personality, and other traits.

Question 13

A clustering of traits is called a
A) unit of analysis.
B) type.
C) factor.
D) dimension.

Accepted Answer

A clustering of traits is referred to as a "type." This term is used in various fields, including psychology and sociology, to categorize individuals or phenomena into distinct groups based on shared characteristics or traits.

Question 14

Which of the following are emphasized as central to the study of personality?
A) individual differences and consistent patterns of functioning.
B) individual differences and the operation of conscious processes.
C) patterns of organization and the operation of conscious processes.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

The study of personality emphasizes individual differences and consistent patterns of functioning as central elements. While conscious processes are important to consider in personality research, they are not as essential as individual differences and consistency in behavior over time. The option C is incorrect as patterns of organization is not as central to personality research as individual differences and consistency. The option D is too broad and encompasses options B and C, which are not completely accurate.

Question 15

"Units of analysis" refer to
A) the basic variables of a given theory.
B) the original source of data for a given theory.
C) the research methods employed most frequently in a given theory.
D) the theoretical assumptions of a given theorist.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Units of analysis" refer to
A) the basic...

Question 16

When entities are organized in such a manner that one entity is seen as an example of another, or as serving a purpose of the other, one calls this specific overall organization a
A) structure.
B) hierarchy.
C) process.
D) system.

Accepted Answer

A hierarchy is a specific overall organization in which entities are arranged in a ranked order, with one entity serving as an example or purpose for another.

Question 17

The text defines personality mainly in terms of
A) consistent patterns of behavior.
B) unconscious wishes.
C) traits.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The text defines personality mainly in terms...

Question 18

Internal states of tension that activate action are called
A) traits.
B) goals.
C) drives.
D) beliefs .

Accepted Answer

Internal states of tension that activate action are called drives. Traits are stable and enduring personal characteristics. Goals are desired outcomes or achievements. Beliefs are ideas, opinions, or convictions held to be true.

Question 19

Biologically-based personality tendencies evidence in early childhood are called
A) genetics.
B) temperament.
C) structures.
D) processes.

Accepted Answer

Biologically-based personality tendencies evidenced in early childhood are called temperament.

Question 20

A "system"
A) has many parts
B) has interconnections among its parts
C) displays behavior that reflects its overall organization
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

A "system" is defined as a set of interconnected parts that work together to achieve a common goal or function. Therefore, a system typically has many parts (A) and these parts are interconnected in some way (B). Additionally, the overall behavior of the system reflects its organization and the interactions between its parts (C). Thus, all of the above (D) is the best choice.

Quiz 1: Personality Theory: From Everyday Observations to Systematic Theories

Relative to one another in terms of level of organization and degree of abstraction, the following statement is true about the concepts of trait and type.

The more stable aspects of the person's functioning and the more fluid, changing aspects are covered by the concepts of

A unique feature of a course in personality psychology is that, unlike other courses, the focus is on

The personality concept that refers to individual consistency and approximates the lay person's concepts to describe people is

A problem with the "nature versus nurture" formulation is that

In general terms, the text suggests that the science of personality

Concepts such as trait and type fall into which of the following areas?

Goals, drives, and motives have been particularly central to _____ aspect of personality theories.

"Why" type questions are those that address

The text emphasizes that a big difference between intuitive theories about people and scientific theories of personality is that the personality scientist must

Structural concepts refer to

The phrase "nature versus nurture" refers to the study of

A clustering of traits is called a

Which of the following are emphasized as central to the study of personality?

"Units of analysis" refer to

When entities are organized in such a manner that one entity is seen as an example of another, or as serving a purpose of the other, one calls this specific overall organization a

The text defines personality mainly in terms of

Internal states of tension that activate action are called

Biologically-based personality tendencies evidence in early childhood are called

A "system"