Question 1

Larry studies diligently because he is haunted by an image of himself being unable to get a job after graduation.Larry's diligence best illustrates the motivational impact of

Accepted Answer

The scenario best illustrates the motivational impact of possible selves, which refers to the images individuals have of themselves in the future. In this case, Larry's obsession with getting a job after graduation is driven by his negative image of himself as someone who can't get a job. This imagined future self is a powerful motivator for Larry.

Question 2

Social-cognitive theories are LEAST likely to be criticized for neglecting the importance of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social-cognitive theories are LEAST likely to be...

Question 3

Professor Sanders explains to his class that our personality and behavior are influenced by our biology,our social and cultural experiences,and our cognition and dispositions.Professor Sanders' views coincide with

Accepted Answer

Professor Sanders' views suggest that personality and behavior are influenced by multiple factors such as biology, social and cultural experiences, cognition and dispositions. This aligns with the biopsychosocial approach, which emphasizes the importance of considering biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding human behavior and functioning. The other options - humanistic psychology, psychodynamic perspective, and reciprocal determinism - do not fully encompass the range of factors that Professor Sanders describes.

Question 4

Dr.Pennington is applying for a job as an instructor at a local university.As part of the interview process,she is asked to give a lecture.This is called the

Accepted Answer

The assessment center approach involves having job candidates complete various activities and assessments, including giving a lecture or teaching demonstration, in order to evaluate their fit for the position. So, Dr. Pennington's request to give a lecture is a part of the assessment center approach. The other choices (instructor evaluation, student perception of instruction, self-monitoring) do not accurately describe this situation.

Question 5

Overestimating the extent to which others notice and evaluate our appearance and performance is called

Accepted Answer

The description given matches the spotlight effect, which refers to our tendency to believe that others are paying more attention to us than they actually are.

Question 6

In assessing candidates for spy missions during World War II,U.S.Army psychologists subjected them to simulated undercover conditions.This best illustrates the use of an assessment strategy favored by ________ theories.

Accepted Answer

The use of simulated undercover conditions is consistent with the assessment strategy used in social-cognitive theories, which focus on how individuals interact with their environment and the ways in which they acquire and use knowledge and skills. This type of assessment is designed to provide insight into how individuals will behave and perform in real-world situations, making it a useful approach for evaluating candidates for spy missions. Trait theories focus on identifying and measuring personality traits, psychoanalytic theories emphasize unconscious processes and early experiences, and humanistic theories emphasize the importance of personal growth, all of which are less relevant to this specific assessment context.

Question 7

Social-cognitive theorists would suggest that the best way to predict a political candidate's performance effectiveness after election is to assess that individual's

Accepted Answer

According to social-cognitive theory, people's past performance in similar situations is the best predictor of their future performance. Therefore, to predict a political candidate's effectiveness after election, it is necessary to assess the candidate's past performance in situations involving similar responsibilities.

Question 8

Contemporary psychologists are most likely to consider ________ to be of pivotal importance to personality.

Accepted Answer

Contemporary psychologists emphasize the importance of the sense of self in understanding personality. The sense of self includes one's beliefs, values, attitudes, and self-concept, which all play a critical role in personality development and behavior. Narcissism may be a characteristic of some individuals, but it is not always seen as a fundamental aspect of personality. Conditioning can certainly influence behavior, but it is not the only factor shaping personality. The maturity principle is a theory about how personality changes over time, but it does not necessarily speak to the core aspects of personality.

Question 9

If we are nervous about our personal appearance after adopting a new hairstyle,we are likely to ________ the extent to which others notice our nervousness and we are likely to ________ the extent to which they notice our new hairstyle.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If we are nervous about our personal...

Question 10

While Kailie was grocery shopping,she dropped a glass jar containing jelly on the floor.She was extremely embarrassed and thought others would believe she is clumsy,even though no one else observed her breaking the jelly jar.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of the spotlight effect, which is the tendency to believe that others are paying more attention to our actions and behavior than they actually are. Kailie is embarrassed and assumes that others will judge her for dropping the jar, even though no one else witnessed it.

Question 11

Which theories build on learning and cognition?

Accepted Answer

The social-cognitive theory emphasizes the role of learning and cognition in behavior and personality development. This theory asserts that people learn by observing others and modeling their behavior, and that cognitive processes such as beliefs, expectations, and self-evaluations also influence behavior. The humanistic theory emphasizes individual growth and the development of the self, while trait theory focuses on identifying and categorizing basic personality traits. The broader field of personality includes many different theories and perspectives, but social-cognitive theory is the most directly connected to learning and cognition.

Question 12

A sense of personal self-worth is called

Accepted Answer

A sense of personal self-worth is called self-esteem. Self-efficacy refers to a person's belief in their ability to perform a specific task or achieve a goal. Defensive self-esteem is when a person has high self-esteem but is easily threatened by criticism or failure. Self-disclosure is when a person reveals personal information about themselves to others.

Question 13

Joshua has a predisposition for aggressive behavior.As a child,he lived in a neighborhood in which a lot of violent gangs roamed the streets.By the time Joshua was 18 he had been arrested multiple times for aggressive actions against other teens.Joshua's aggressive behavior is a result of

Accepted Answer

Joshua's aggressive behavior is likely a result of gene-environment interactions, as he has a genetic predisposition for aggression which may have been amplified by exposure to a violent environment.

Question 14

Personality is fruitfully studied at multiple levels of analysis because people are best understood as

Accepted Answer

Personality is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, making individuals biopsychosocial organisms. Therefore, studying personality at multiple levels of analysis allows for a more comprehensive understanding of individuals. Option A is incorrect because unconscious information processing is only one aspect of personality, and it does not encompass all levels of analysis. Option C is incorrect because self-serving bias is a cognitive bias, not a level of analysis. Option D is incorrect because possible selves are future-oriented representations of oneself, not a level of analysis.

Question 15

Although we are nervous about giving a talk in psychology class,simply imagining how much our classmates empathize with us can reduce the threat associated with our experience of

Accepted Answer

The spotlight effect refers to the tendency to overestimate how much others are paying attention to and evaluating us. Imagining that our classmates empathize with us can help reduce this feeling of being in the spotlight, which in turn decreases the threat we perceive in giving a talk. Therefore, the best choice is D. Choices A, B, and C are not directly related to the concept of the spotlight effect.

Question 16

Which personality theories have most clearly been developed through psychological research on learning and cognition?

Accepted Answer

Social-cognitive theories, such as Bandura's social-cognitive theory and Mischel's cognitive-affective personality system, have been developed through psychological research on learning and cognition. These theories emphasize the importance of cognitive processes, observational learning, and environmental influences in shaping personality. Trait theories, humanistic theories, and psychodynamic theories, while they may also incorporate aspects of learning and cognition, are not primarily based on psychological research in these areas.

Question 17

How we treat others influences how they treat us.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The statement describes reciprocal determinism, which refers to the interaction between a person's behavior, their internal mental state, and their environment. It suggests that how we treat others can influence how they treat us in return, which reflects the reciprocal nature of interpersonal relationships. The other options listed do not accurately describe this concept.

Question 18

An integrated understanding of Tara's consistent cheerfulness in terms of her supportive peer relationships,her calm temperament,and her optimistic expectations best illustrates

Accepted Answer

Tara's consistent cheerfulness is likely influenced by her supportive peer relationships, calm temperament (which may have a biological basis), and optimistic expectations (which could be influenced by both psychological and social factors). This suggests a need for an integrated understanding that takes into account multiple factors at various levels, including biological, psychological, and social factors. This approach is known as the biopsychosocial approach. The other answer choices (a spotlight effect, unconditional positive regard, and a humanistic perspective) do not seem as relevant or comprehensive in explaining Tara's consistent cheerfulness.

Question 19

Many colleges assess potential faculty members' teaching abilities by observing them teach.This best illustrates the use of an assessment strategy favored by ________ theorists.

Accepted Answer

Social-cognitive theorists emphasize the importance of observational learning, behaviors, and environmental contexts in understanding and assessing individuals. Observing potential faculty members teach allows for an evaluation of their teaching behaviors and strategies in real-world contexts, aligning with social-cognitive theory's focus on learning through observation and interaction with the environment.

Question 20

In contemporary psychology,the self is considered to be

Accepted Answer

In contemporary psychology, the self is primarily seen as the organizer of our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is the psychological construct that allows individuals to perceive and interpret the world around them, as well as regulate their behavior in response. While components of morality and genetics certainly contribute to the development of the self, they are secondary to the central role of self-organization. The person-situation controversy refers to debates about the extent to which behavior is influenced by internal dispositions or external situational factors, and is not directly related to the concept of the self.

Quiz 13: Personality