Deck 14: Personality

Question 1

Freud's observations of people with conversion hysteria convinced him of the power of:

A) the unconscious mind.
B) the superego.
C) sublimation.
D) conscious defence mechanisms.

Answer 1

the unconscious mind.

Question 2

Which of the following statements regarding Freud's psychoanalytic theory is true?

A) The conscious, preconscious, and unconscious minds are roughly equivalent in size.
B) The conscious mind is substantially larger than the unconscious or preconscious mind.
C) The preconscious mind is substantially larger than the conscious or unconscious mind.
D) The unconscious mind is substantially larger than the conscious or preconscious mind.

Answer 2

The unconscious mind is substantially larger than the conscious or preconscious mind.

Question 3

Freud argued that instinctual urges and desires continually give rise to energy. The energy created by this process serves to power the mind and constantly needs to be released in either direct or indirect ways. Freud termed this as _.

A) psychic energy
B) sublimation
C) free association
D) repression

Answer 3

psychic energy

Question 4

The distinctive and relatively consistent ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving that characterize a person's responses to various life situations is defined as:

A) self-verification
B) self-efficacy
C) personality
D) object relations

Question 5

Sally tends to be shy when she is in class, when she is with friends in her dorm, and also when she is home with her family. This example best demonstrates one of the factors that shapes our notions of personality called the concept of behavioural _ .

A) consistency
B) individuality
C) validity
D) internalization

Question 6

Assuming that you are not currently thinking about what you did during your last summer vacation Freud would say that your memory would most likely reside in the:

A) preconscious mind.
B) nonconscious mind.
C) unconscious mind.
D) conscious mind.

Question 7

Freud divided personality into three separate but interacting structures called:

A) self-consistency, conditions of worth, and self-esteem.
B) repression, denial, and sublimation.
C) the conscious, unconscious, and preconscious mind.
D) the id, ego, and superego.

Question 8

Though his original theory of personality has been and continues to be criticized, Freud's ideas served to inspire the work of other personality theorists who have made significant contributions to the field. In this sense, Freud's theory could be considered "useful" because it:

A) suggested that personality is shaped by behaviours that appear to fit together.
B) provided a comprehensive framework to explain known facts.
C) allowed researchers to predict future events with relative accuracy.
D) stimulated the discovery of new knowledge.

Question 9

Two common observations that give rise to the concept of personality are:

A) organization and structure.
B) individuality and organization.
C) individuality and consistency.
D) consistency and identity.

Question 10

When treating people with conversion hysteria, Freud noticed that people with this disorder often appeared to improve when:

A) their superegos were strengthened.
B) they re-experienced traumatic memories and feelings.
C) their defence mechanisms became more balanced.
D) they sublimated their sexual and aggressive energies.

Question 11

Which of the following was mentioned as being a characteristic of a personality theory that is useful for psychologists?

A) A personality theory is useful if it appears to fit together in a meaningful fashion.
B) A personality theory is useful if it stimulates the discovery of new knowledge.
C) A personality theory is useful if it has been proven to be true.
D) A personality theory is useful if it focuses more on consistency than on individuality.

Question 12

In his original conceptualization of psychoanalytic theory, Freud considered the personality to be an energy system that was very similar to:

A) an automobile.
B) a steam engine.
C) a chemical reaction.
D) thermostat.

Question 13

Bob stands up, raises his hands in the air, and yells at the top of his lungs. If you know that he is doing this at a well-attended baseball game, you don't necessarily think that this information provides you with much information about Bob's personality. However, if you are told that Bob does this while waiting in line for groceries at the super market, this same behaviour has more impact on your estimation of what kind of person Bob is. This second instance of Bob's behaviour provides information that contributes significantly to inferences regarding personality and demonstrates the contribution of ________.

A) individuality
B) self-efficacy
C) consistency
D) internalization

Question 14

According to Freud, the activities of this structure are primarily governed by the pleasure principle. This structure is called the:

A) id
B) ego
C) superego
D) preconscious

Question 15

Of the standards below, there is one that is NOT used to evaluate the usefulness of a personality theory:

A) if the theory generates data and results that apply generally to all people.
B) if the theory allows the prediction of future events with some precision.
C) how well the theory provides a comprehensive framework in which known material can be incorporated.
D) how well the theory stimulates the discovery of new knowledge.

Question 16

All of the following were methods that Freud used to discover hidden unconscious material EXCEPT:

A) sublimation.
B) dream analysis.
C) free association.
D) hypnosis.

Question 17

All of the following were mentioned as characteristics of the behaviours typically associated with personality EXCEPT behaviours that are viewed as:

A) being primarily caused by internal factors.
B) being primarily caused by unconscious factors.
C) fitting together in an organized fashion.
D) components of identity.

Question 18

A new theory is able to provide a comprehensive explanation of behaviour in a particular area, generates relatively accurate predictions, and stimulates the development of new knowledge. Personality theorists would consider such a theory to be _.

A) useful
B) proven
C) confirmed
D) definite

Question 19

As you are reading this question, you are presently aware of these words and reflecting on their meanings. According to Freud, these mental events are taking place in the:

A) unconscious mind.
B) nonconscious mind.
C) preconscious mind.
D) conscious mind.

Question 20

Freud's ideas regarding the power of the unconscious were shaped largely by observations of people with which of the following disorders?

A) conversion hysteria
B) multiple personality
C) depression
D) schizophrenia

Question 21

When the erogenous zones associated with various psychosexual stages are exposed to deprivations or overindulgences, a state of arrested development may occur that psychoanalytic theorists call:

A) obsession.
B) repression.
C) fixation.
D) compulsion.

Question 22

Why is the ego sometimes referred to as the "executive of the personality"?

A) It functions primarily in the conscious mind, which represents the highest level of mental functioning.
B) It generates and provides the psychic energy upon which the other personality structures depend.
C) It is the first to form and therefore the most senior personality structure.
D) It must balance the needs of the id, superego, and reality.

Question 23

Through the process of identification with significant others, most often parents, the ideals of these significant others are internalized creating the .

A) id
B) ego
C) superego
D) id and ego

Question 24

Because it must juggle and balance moral imperatives, unconscious desires, and the realities of life, the ego is sometimes called the " of the personality."

A) manager
B) executive
C) secretary
D) director

Question 25

Jake's girlfriend just broke up with him and Jake does not appear to be upset at all. Jake keeps talking about the strength of character he has developed and the interesting way in which his girlfriend decided to break up with him. Jake may be employing the ________ defence mechanism.

A) projection
B) sublimation
C) intellectualization
D) denial

Question 26

The Oedipus complex is thought to take place during the:

A) anal stage.
B) phallic stage.
C) oral stage.
D) latency stage.

Question 27

On Randy's 11th birthday, his grandmother asks him whether or not he remembers the cake he had last year on his 10th birthday. Although Randy was not thinking about last year's cake when his grandmother asked the question, he was easily able to recall the cake at his party last year. In this case, the memory of the cake from his 10th birthday moved from his ________ to his _.

A) preconscious; conscious
B) preconscious; preconscious
C) unconscious; conscious
D) unconscious; preconscious

Question 28

Which of the following personality structures is sometimes referred to as the "executive of the personality", as it needs to deal with the demands of the other two structures?

A) the ego
B) the id
C) the superego
D) the preconscious mind

Question 29

Id is to pleasure principle, as ego is to ________, as superego is to _.

A) reality principle; moralistic goals
B) defence mechanisms; psychosexual stages
C) repression; archetypes
D) conscious; preconscious

Question 30

The ego functions primarily at the conscious level of mind and operates according to the ________.

A) reality principle
B) preconscious mind
C) pleasure principle
D) unconscious mind

Question 31

When confronted by potentially overwhelming urges, in order to reject or distort reality and thus effectively reduce the anxiety that accompanies these urges, the ego may resort to what are called _.

A) defence mechanisms
B) archetypes
C) free associations
D) conditions of worth

Question 32

During a conversation with a friend, Al starts to get angry at what she is saying. This is an emotion that he considers inappropriate and childish. As a result, instead of noticing his own anger, he erroneously begins to believe that his friend is becoming angry, even though she is doing no such thing. This example best demonstrates the defence mechanism of:

A) projection.
B) displacement.
C) reaction formation.
D) sublimation.

Question 33

According to Freud's theory of personality, part of the personality present at birth contains inborn biological drives and operates under the pleasure principle. This is the ________.

A) superego
B) alter ego
C) id
D) ego

Question 34

Jeff likes to smoke cigars and when he doesn't have one of these, he often likes to suck on breath mints or other hard candies. In social situations, he tends to talk a lot, and because he really enjoys eating, is a little overweight. According to Freud's theory, Jeff most likely experienced a fixation at which psychosexual stage of development?

A) genital
B) phallic
C) anal
D) oral

Question 35

John is a rather aggressive person with lots of energy. He sometimes got into trouble for aggressive behaviour as a teenager, but he has recently vented his aggressive feelings by playing rugby on a local team. Instead of getting into trouble for his aggressive behaviour, John now finds that he is considered to be a well-respected and valuable rugby player by his teammates. According to Freud, joining the rugby team would best be considered an example of the defence mechanism of:

A) projection.
B) repression.
C) denial.
D) sublimation.

Question 36

Susan's therapist quickly recognizes that Susan keeps falling in love with men with personality traits just like her father. The trouble is, none of these men seem to be good enough for her. Susan's therapist is looking at personality traits through a ________ perspective.

A) biological
B) psychodynamic
C) social cognitive
D) humanistic

Question 37

Terry has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Rather than spending his time and money on vacations and activities he enjoys, Terry spends his time seeking alternative forms of medicine and increasing his retirement investment portfolio. Rather than realistically approaching his situation, he appears to be using the defence mechanism of _.

A) projection
B) sublimation
C) displacement
D) denial

Question 38

Psychoanalysts generally agree that the primary defence mechanism utilized by the ego to control the anxiety-generating urges created by the id is the:

A) denial
B) reaction formation
C) repression
D) sublimation

Question 39

The ego and superego are similar in that both:

A) function primarily at the preconscious level of mind.
B) strive to control the impulses of the id.
C) are shaped through the process of identification.
D) are governed by the reality principle.

Question 40

Which of the following presents the proper order of Freud's psychosexual stages of development?

A) oral, anal, latency, phallic, and genital
B) oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital
C) oral, anal, genital, latency, and phallic
D) anal, oral, phallic, latency, and genital

Question 41

One of the primary drawbacks of psychoanalytic theory is that:

A) it is so comprehensive that it is hard to test specific predictions.
B) it is so limited in details that it doesn't explain enough.
C) none of Sigmund Freud's propositions have held up under research.
D) it failed to stimulate future research.

Question 42

Ronnie's new roommate, Tim, is driving him crazy! His roommate is a compulsive neat freak who cannot tolerate anything left out of place in the apartment. Not only that, but Tim insists the cleaning be done in a certain way and at a certain time each day. If Tim were to seek advice from a psychoanalyst, Tim might be told that his compulsions are the result of harsh toilet training when Tim was a child. This suggests Tim is stuck in the ________ psychosexual stage of development.

A) genital
B) latency
C) anal
D) phallic

Question 43

Carl Rogers asserted that well-adjusted individuals respond to the threat created by experiences that are inconsistent with the self by:

A) altering the experience so that it is consistent with their self-concept.
B) realizing their total potential.
C) increasing their conditions of worth.
D) modifying their self-concept so that it is consistent with experience.

Question 44

The humanistic concept of self-actualization refers to the process of:

A) believing that you can take the steps needed to achieve desired outcomes.
B) realizing our full human potential.
C) maintaining self-identity through self-consistency and congruence.
D) gaining and preserving a positive self-image.

Question 45

Constructs such as the collective unconscious and archetypes are part of:

A) Carl Jung's theory of analytic psychology.
B) John Bowlby's object relations theory.
C) Erik Erickson's theory of social interest.
D) Carl Rogers's self theory.

Question 46

John Bowlby's attachment theory was discussed as being derived directly from which of the following approaches?

A) Carl Jung's theory of analytic psychology
B) Erik Erickson's life-span development approach
C) Alfred Adler's inferiority complex model
D) Object relations theory

Question 47

Which of the following was mentioned as a shortcoming of Freud's psychoanalytic theory?

A) His theory was not complex enough.
B) His theory failed to stimulate any further theoretical advances.
C) His theory was too specific and not comprehensive enough.
D) His concepts were ambiguous and difficult to operationally define.

Question 48

A central concept in Carl Rogers's theory is our consistent set of perceptions of and beliefs about ourselves referred to as:

A) self-actualization
B) unconditional positive regard
C) the self
D) the need for positive self-regard

Question 49

Neoanalytic theorists such as Alfred Adler and Carl Jung departed from traditional psychoanalytic theory in that they:

A) believed childhood sexuality needed to be emphasized even more.
B) assumed that personality is almost entirely shaped during childhood.
C) believed that Sigmund Freud did not place enough emphasis on social and cultural factors.
D) were less optimistic than Sigmund Freud regarding human nature.

Question 50

Compared to the hostile, aggressive nature of people as seen by Freud, the humanistic perspective views people as _.

A) asexual creatures
B) driven by negative emotion
C) inherently good
D) inherently self-absorbed

Question 51

According to Carl Rogers, self-consistency refers to the human need:

A) to maintain consistency between our self-beliefs and our actual experiences.
B) for acceptance, love, and sympathy from others.
C) to maintain consistency among our various self-beliefs.
D) to realize our total human potential.

Question 52

Which of the following statements regarding current research on unconscious processes is most accurate?

A) Modern techniques have shown that unconscious processing does occur, but the nature of this processing appears to be less volatile than Freud assumed.
B) As was the case with more traditional studies, modern research techniques have failed to find any support for Freud's theory.
C) Though advances have been made, we still do not have the technology available to test any of Freud's theory.
D) Surprisingly, modern research results have confirmed that the vast majority of Freud's ideas are accurate.

Question 53

While Sigmund Freud maintained that human behaviour is directed by unconscious forces, Carl Rogers asserted that people's actions are determined by _.

A) the collective unconscious and archetypes
B) the current experience of self and environment
C) the need for congruence
D) mental images of significant caregivers

Question 54

In Freud's psychoanalytic theory, creative and artistic achievements arise from intrapsychic conflict, while in Roger's humanistic theory, they arise from _.

A) the tendency toward self-enhancement
B) the need for positive self-regard
C) the tendency toward realization of one's potential
D) the need for congruence

Question 55

Sarah has the belief that she is good in math, but she has just received her first "D" grade in her first year calculus class. This inconsistency between Sarah's self-belief and her actual experience would most likely generate what Carl Rogers termed:

A) a self-verification.
B) a need for unconditional self-regard.
C) self-actualization.
D) a threat.

Question 56

A present-day look at psychoanalytic theory reveals that there is some research evidence indicating that unconscious processing occurs and that many modern psychodynamic theorists reject Freud's ideas about:

A) childhood sexuality
B) sexual fantasies
C) obesity
D) toilet training

Question 57

Which of the following best captures the orientation of the object relations approach?

A) It focuses on the mental images created by significant experiences with caregivers.
B) It focuses on people's motives to advance the welfare of others and to compensate for real or imagined defects.
C) It focuses on our innate tendencies for growth and self-actualization.
D) It focuses on childhood sexuality and defence mechanisms.

Question 58

According to Carl Rogers and other humanistic theorists, the active process of realizing our total human potential is referred to as:

A) conditions of worth
B) self-actualization
C) self-enhancement
D) self-efficacy

Question 59

Kathy's father was an abusive alcoholic and as a result of her early experience, Kathy has a distorted mental image of all fathers as being abusive people. According to a certain theory, there will be an unconscious influence on Kathy's future relationships with men. This view is represented by the:

A) object relations theory
B) Bandura's social cognitive theory
C) Erik Erickson's life-span development approach
D) humanistic theory

Question 60

Bob thinks that he is a good tennis player and his results support this belief. He is better than almost all of the people in his tennis club and he wins most of his tennis matches. This agreement between Bob's beliefs and his actual experience would best be considered as an example of Carl Rogers's concept of:

A) congruence.
B) positive self-regard.
C) self-actualization.
D) a condition of worth.

Question 61

A lack of consistent guidelines and punishment as well as a loss of love for misbehaviour were both mentioned as factors that can contribute to the development of low ________ in children.

A) self-monitoring
B) self-consistency
C) self-esteem
D) self-verification

Question 62

Research indicates that, in general, men in Western cultures tend to have self-concepts that are more individualistic than are women's, while women in Western cultures tend to have self-concepts that are more than are men's.

A) self-enhancing
B) self-consistent
C) self-actualized
D) collectivistic

Question 63

The superego's "shoulds" in Freud's psychoanalytic theory are most similar to in Roger's humanistic theory.

A) the need for self-verification
B) the need for positive self-regard
C) conditional positive regard
D) conditions of worth

Question 64

According to this perspective, personality is the result of the satisfaction of growth needs and the constant striving for self-actualization. This is the perspective.

A) humanistic
B) psychodynamic
C) evolutionary psychology
D) sociocultural

Question 65

Josh believes that he is socially outgoing. He just met several new people, some of whom have told him that he seems to be a very social person (congruent feedback), while a few others have made comments to Josh that he seems to be quite shy and reserved (incongruent feedback). According to the construct of self-verification, how will Josh recall this feedback?

A) Josh should remember the incongruent feedback better than the congruent feedback.
B) Josh should remember the congruent feedback better than the incongruent feedback.
C) Josh should have a poor memory for both the congruent and incongruent feedback.
D) Josh should have a good memory for both the congruent and incongruent feedback.

Question 66

Within any given culture, specific information about gender-role socialization informs us about the appropriate attributes and behaviours of men and women. These are referred to as:

A) gender ideals
B) gender schemas
C) gender norms
D) gender standards

Question 67

Carl Rogers believed that conditions of worth can produce serious negative consequences for people by creating significant between self-perceptions and experience.

A) inconsistency
B) self-consistency
C) congruence
D) incongruence

Question 68

According to humanistic theory, a child who receives unconditional positive regard from her parents is likely to avoid the problems that are associated with _.

A) self-actualization needs
B) conditions of worth
C) positive self-regard needs
D) self-consistency

Question 69

Rogers's notion of self-enhancement refers to people's need to:

A) realize their full human potential.
B) maintain their self-image through self-consistency and congruence.
C) gain and preserve a positive self-image.
D) receive sympathy and love from other people.

Question 70

A person from a collectivistic culture would most likely mention which of the following when asked to list his or her important personal attributes?

A) I am funny.
B) I am smart.
C) I am athletic.
D) I am a student.

Question 71

Studies have found that individuals often seek relationships with others who confirm their positive or negative views of themselves, so much so that when someone with a negative self-view marries a person who views them favourably, the person with the negative self-view will often withdraw from the marriage. This phenomenon is most consistent with the concept of:

A) self-enhancement.
B) self-esteem.
C) self-verification.
D) self-efficacy.

Question 72

Research examining gender differences in self-concepts suggest that the self-concepts of women are more than those of men.

A) individualistic
B) self-actualized
C) achievement-oriented
D) collectivistic

Question 73

Carl Rogers assumed that people have an innate need to receive love, sympathy, and acceptance from others, which he called:

A) self-actualization.
B) a condition of worth.
C) a need for positive regard.
D) a need for positive self-regard.

Question 74

Alan knows that no matter what his report card grades are, his parents will love him. He knows he is not always the most thoughtful son, but he has also recognized that his parents love him based not on his behaviour but on who he is. Rogers called this concept:

A) unconditional positive regard
B) the need for acceptance
C) conditional positive regard
D) self-verification

Question 75

In personality research, identifying clusters of specific behaviours that are so highly associated with one another that they are assumed to be due to a single trait or basic dimension of personality is done through _.

A) theoretical analysis
B) intuition
C) component analysis
D) factor analysis

Question 76

When growing up, John's parents were uncomfortable every time that John happened to be sad. As a result, John now disapproves of his own sad feelings, even when they are appropriate. Carl Rogers and other humanistic theorists would consider John's attitude towards his sad feelings as an example of:

A) an inferiority complex.
B) a need for positive self-regard.
C) a need for positive regard.
D) a condition of worth.

Question 77

According to the text, much of the modern research on the self-concept owes its roots to the work of:

A) Carl Rogers.
B) Carl Jung.
C) Albert Bandura.
D) Sigmund Freud.

Question 78

Margaret is prone to depression and physical illness. She lacks the tools needed to make herself feel better when she experiences a negative outcome or failure. Margaret most likely:

A) has low self-esteem and sees herself as an ineffective person
B) experienced unconditional love and acceptance as a child
C) is programmed to succeed and cannot deal with failures as they rarely happen
D) has an unrealistic view of the world

Question 79

People who tend to feel positive about themselves have been found to be happier, have fewer relationship difficulties, and reach higher achievement levels than people who feel more negative about themselves. These individuals have high _.

A) self-consistency
B) self-efficacy
C) self-verification
D) self-esteem

Question 80

Which of the following criticisms has been made against humanistic theories of personality?

A) The theories are so comprehensive that they are hard to falsify or disprove.
B) The theories need to define some important humanistic constructs which may involve circular reasoning.
C) The theories place too much emphasis on childhood sexuality.
D) There is virtually no research evidence to support any of the claims made by the theories.