Deck 12: Personality Theories

Question 1

According to the five-factor model of personality, people who score high in ____ are characterised as outgoing, sociable, upbeat, friendly, and assertive.

A) neuroticism
B) extraversion
C) conscientiousness
D) openness to experience

Answer 1

extraversion

Question 2

Raymond Cattell used factor analysis to reduce a huge list of personality traits compiled by Gordon Allport to ____ basic dimensions of personality.

A) five
B) ten
C) sixteen
D) twenty-seven

Answer 2

sixteen

Question 3

Nicholas is a non-conformist who is daring and likes to try new things.He is extremely imaginative and has a wide range of interests.Based on the five-factor model of personality, Nicholas would probably score

A) high in openness.
B) low in neuroticism.
C) high in extraversion.
D) high in agreeableness.

Answer 3

high in openness.

Question 4

An individual's unique constellation of consistent behavioural traits is known as

A) collectivism.
B) individualism.
C) personality.
D) an archetype.

Question 5

In an emergency, we would all react differently from one another because we all have different personalities and experiences.This quality of personality is called

A) consistency.
B) differentiation.
C) constancy.
D) distinctiveness.

Question 6

Tom and his friends exercise daily and never smoke or consume alcohol.It is likely that Tom and his friends are above average in

A) neuroticism.
B) agreeableness.
C) conscientiousness.
D) openness to experience.

Question 7

Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality focuses on all of the following EXCEPT

A) methods used to cope with sexual and aggressive urges.
B) the potential for personal growth.
C) the influence of childhood experiences.
D) unconscious motives and conflicts.

Question 8

Michael is well known throughout his middle school for being a bright student who frequently disrupts class by answering a teacher's question with a somewhat appropriate wise crack.He behaves much the same when at basketball practice and boy scout meetings.His tendency to be a "class clown" in many situations relates to the ____ aspect of personality.

A) appropriateness
B) consistency
C) distinctiveness
D) variableness

Question 9

The id is

A) a developmental period that leaves its mark on adult personality.
B) the moral component of personality.
C) the decision-making component of personality.
D) the primitive, instinctive component of personality.

Question 10

According to the five-factor model of personality, people who score high in ____ tend to be happier than other people.

A) neuroticism
B) extraversion
C) conscientiousness
D) openness to experience

Question 11

People high in _________ tend to have a more positive outlook on life while people high in _________ tend to be more impulsive.

A) neuroticism, psychoticism
B) extraversion, neuroticism
C) conscientiousness, extraversion
D) openness to experience, extraversion

Question 12

Which of the following traits is MOST likely to be associated with high levels of productivity in a job setting?

A) neuroticism
B) extraversion
C) conscientiousness
D) agreeableness

Question 13

According to the five-factor model of personality, people who score high in ____ tend to be sympathetic, trusting, cooperative, and modest.

A) neuroticism
B) extraversion
C) conscientiousness
D) agreeableness

Question 14

According to the five-factor model of personality, people who score high in ____ are characterised as anxious, hostile, self-conscious, insecure and vulnerable.

A) neuroticism
B) extraversion
C) conscientiousness
D) openness to experience

Question 15

Psychodynamic personality theories focus on

A) an individual's freedom and potential for growth.
B) genetic factors.
C) unconscious mental forces.
D) learning.

Question 16

While many of the personality traits a person has may be relatively common, the overall combination of traits exhibited by that person is unique.This relates to the ____ aspect of personality.

A) appropriateness
B) distinctiveness
C) consistency
D) variableness

Question 17

The id can be BEST described as having which of the following statements as its motto?

A) Mom always liked you best
B) do the right thing
C) we can work it out
D) if it feels good, do it

Question 18

Jane is suspicious and uncooperative.Her friends think she is a boastful person who is seldom sympathetic.Based on the five-factor model of personality, Jane would probably score

A) low in openness.
B) low in agreeableness.
C) high in neuroticism.
D) low in extraversion.

Question 19

According to the five-factor model of personality, people who score high in ____ tend to be diligent, disciplined, well-organised, and punctual.

A) neuroticism
B) extraversion
C) conscientiousness
D) agreeableness

Question 20

Julian is extremely dependable and productive, and his friends think he is great at organising events.Based on the five-factor model of personality, Julian would probably score

A) high in agreeableness.
B) low in neuroticism.
C) high in conscientiousness.
D) high in openness.

Question 21

The thoughts, memories, and desires you have that you do not realise you have are in your ____ awareness.

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

Question 22

Howard sets extremely high standards for both himself and others.He tends to be rigid and inflexible and rarely allows himself to enjoy life.Freud would probably conclude that Howard is dominated by

A) his superego.
B) his id.
C) his ego.
D) penis envy.

Question 23

Primary process thinking is associated with the ____, and secondary process thinking is associated with the ____.

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

Question 24

Jessie is currently thinking about all the things she has to do before she goes to her first class.She is mentally making lists of all these things so she will remember to do them on her way to school.According to Freud, these thoughts are contained in Jessie's

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

Question 25

The superego is Freud's term for

A) the biological impulses.
B) the mediating agent between "inside" and "outside".
C) the defensive aspect of personality makeup.
D) the moral component of personality.

Question 26

Finding ways to meet instinctual needs and still take into account the conditions of the external, social world defines the ____, the basic operating theme of the ____.

A) reality principle; id
B) reality principle; ego
C) pleasure principle; id
D) pleasure principle; ego

Question 27

Cari often has temper tantrums and pouts when she can't have her own way.She often behaves impulsively and becomes extremely impatient if she can't have the things that she wants immediately.According to Freud's view of personality, Cari's personality appears to be dominated by

A) her ego.
B) her id.
C) reaction formation.
D) her superego.

Question 28

According to Freud, which of the following is entirely unconscious?

A) the self
B) the id
C) the superego
D) the ego

Question 29

Which of Freud's personality components is suggested to engage in secondary-process thinking?

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

Question 30

Jason just sat down to work on his term paper when his friends called and invited him to a party.If Jason decides he will only go to the party after he finishes outlining the term paper, his decision reflects the functioning of his

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

Question 31

Sigmund Freud would have been LEAST likely to make which of the following statements?

A) Most behaviour is rooted in the unconscious.
B) Most of our behaviour is rationally directed.
C) A great deal of our behaviour and thoughts are symbolic of hidden motives.
D) Behaviour is the outcome of an interaction among several components of personality.

Question 32

The variety of modern psychodynamic theories of personality all derive from the work of which of the following individuals?

A) Albert Bandura
B) Sigmund Freud
C) Karen Horney
D) Wilhelm Wundt

Question 33

According to psychoanalytic theory, a person who is conservative, strict, and moralistic is strongly influenced by her

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

Question 34

Michael is an executive for a major corporation.He constantly needs to find ways to meet the corporation's goals and objectives while taking into consideration factors such as laws and financial resources.In making these decisions, Michael is acting most like the portion of the personality that Freud referred to as

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

Question 35

A person who tends to be selfish, demanding and disregards the rights of other people would appear to have a stronger ____ than ____.

A) ego; superego
B) unconscious; conscious
C) superego; id
D) id; superego

Question 36

Psychoanalytic theory stresses all of the following EXCEPT

A) conscious thought patterns.
B) childhood experiences.
C) internal conflicts.
D) handling of sexual impulses.

Question 37

The component of personality that operates according to the reality principle is the

A) conscious.
B) superego.
C) ego.
D) id.

Question 38

Which level of awareness contains material just beneath the surface of awareness that can easily be retrieved?

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

Question 39

The superego is Freud's term for

A) the moral component of personality.
B) the biological impulses that drive our behaviour.
C) the mediating agent between the other two components of personality.
D) the unconscious aspect of personality.

Question 40

According to Freud, the ____ is "like a man on horseback who has to hold in check the superior strength of the horse".

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

Question 41

The largely unconscious reactions used to protect a person from unpleasant emotions such as anxiety and guilt are

A) coping mechanisms.
B) defence mechanisms.
C) offence mechanisms.
D) id mechanisms.

Question 42

The impending possibility of a forbidden impulse getting out of control and being expressed in behaviour would be most apt to produce ____ in the person.

A) anxiety
B) impulse gratification
C) secondary gain
D) depression

Question 43

If she is using the defence mechanisms of reaction formation, a mother who actually hates her son would MOST likely be both unaware of her hatred and

A) direct her hatred toward her daughter.
B) act in an extremely loving way toward her son.
C) act in an extremely critical way toward her son.
D) believe that her son hated her.

Question 44

If she is using the defence mechanism of projection, a mother who actually hates her son would MOST likely be both unaware of her hatred and

A) direct her hatred toward her daughter.
B) act in an extremely loving way toward her son.
C) act in an extremely critical way toward her son.
D) believe that her son hated her.

Question 45

When Brandon was nine, he saw one of his classmates fall under the wheels of a school bus as it pulled away from the curb.Today, at the age of 34, he has no memory of the accident.The evening news carried a flashback of the accident that happened 25 years ago, and Brandon still didn't remember being at the scene when the accident happened.According to Freud, it seems that Brandon's memory of the accident is contained in his

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

Question 46

According to Freud, unresolved unconscious conflicts often produce

A) pleasure.
B) fixation.
C) archetypes.
D) anxiety.

Question 47

Which of the following would be considered the most healthy defence mechanism?

A) sublimation
B) denial
C) repression
D) regression

Question 48

Gordon hadn't thought about the band Spider Wings for several months.However, as soon as Donovon mentioned it, Gordon instantly thought about the great time he had at their last concert.According to Freud, before Donovon mentioned the Spider Wings, Gordon's memory of the concert was contained in his

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

Question 49

When people give a false but plausible excuse to justify their unacceptable behaviour, they are using

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

Question 50

Under stress, a college student cries and throws things.The behaviour of the student is an example of

A) regression.
B) reaction formation.
C) displacement.
D) immaturity.

Question 51

Defence mechanisms combat feelings of anxiety and guilt

A) through self-deception.
B) through rational problem solving.
C) by enhancing self-insight.
D) by making unconscious urges conscious.

Question 52

John worries about his tendency toward abusing animals, so he joins the Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.John's behaviour can be viewed as an example of

A) reaction formation.
B) projection.
C) regression.
D) rationalisation.

Question 53

Todd was physically abused up until the age of eight.He is now 40 years old and he has absolutely no memories of the early abuse that he experienced.According to Freud, Todd may be unconsciously dealing with the potential anxiety related to his abuse using the defence mechanism of

A) projection.
B) repression.
C) reaction formation.
D) regression.

Question 54

Joseph is one of the top rugby players in his league, but last week he struck out on an easy pitch.When this happened he smashed the water cooler in the dugout with his bat.According to Freud, Joseph may be unconsciously dealing with his anger at himself for striking out on an easy pitch by using the defence mechanism of

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

Question 55

Hans is fearful of men who are friendly toward him, convinced that they are all homosexuals attempting to seduce him.Should it be the case that Hans is himself a latent homosexual, fearful of admitting this even to himself, we might conclude that he is using the defence mechanisms of repression and

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

Question 56

As an adult, going back to an earlier way of gratifying needs defines

A) repression.
B) fixation.
C) regression.
D) reaction formation.

Question 57

Freud ascribed great importance to sexual and aggressive impulses, mainly because they

A) tend to be routinely frustrated.
B) are essential to the survival of the species.
C) dominate our dreams.
D) tend to be reinforced by others.

Question 58

While cleaning up after her party last night, Angela forgot to put the leftover crab dip in the refrigerator.When she discovered the now spoiled dip in the morning, Angela said she didn't mind having to throw it out because it wasn't that good anyway.MOST likely, Angela is using

A) reaction formation.
B) repression.
C) rationalisation.
D) regression.

Question 59

The process of pushing distressing thoughts into the unconscious and keeping them there is known as

A) neurogenic amnesia.
B) suppression.
C) avoidance.
D) repression.

Question 60

When people attempt to bolster their self-esteem by forming an imaginary or real alliance with some person or group, they are using

A) regression.
B) displacement.
C) identification.
D) rationalisation.

Question 61

According to Freud, a person may become fixated at a particular psychosexual stage because of

A) permissiveness on the part of the person's parents.
B) a genetic predisposition for fixation.
C) either excessive gratification or excessive frustration of needs.
D) abnormalities in brain chemistry that develop prenatally.

Question 62

Vanessa bites her nails so badly that they bleed, but she can't seem to stop herself from doing this.According to Freud, Vanessa's nail biting may be evidence of fixation at the

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

Question 63

The Freudian period that begins with puberty is the

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

Question 64

Four-year-old Sam has erotically tinged desires for his mother and also feels hostility toward his father.Freud would conclude that Sam is experiencing the

A) Oedipal complex.
B) phallic complex.
C) identification complex.
D) genital complex.

Question 65

Identification of oneself with the proper gender, male or female, would occur during the

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

Question 66

The idea that a male child desires his mother and fears his father illustrates the

A) genital complex.
B) latency complex.
C) Oedipal complex.
D) Electra complex.

Question 67

The stage of psychosexual development that runs from approximately ages three to six is

A) latency.
B) phallic.
C) genital.
D) oral.

Question 68

Five-year-old Samuel often tells his older sister: "I can't wait to grow up, so I can marry mommy." Samuel is most likely in the stage of personality development that Freud referred to as the

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

Question 69

Having a rather poor sense of self-worth, Bruce attempts to make himself feel important by driving a sports car, belonging to an exclusive tennis club, and eating at the best restaurants.Bruce may be using the defence mechanism of

A) rationalisation.
B) identification.
C) projection.
D) displacement.

Question 70

Which of Freud's psychosexual stages did he see as society's first systematic effort to regulate the child impulses?

A) anal stage
B) oral stage
C) latency stage
D) genital stage

Question 71

Freud believed that smoking, overeating, and habitual gum chewing could result from fixation in the ____ stage.

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

Question 72

Freud used the term "sexual" in his psychosexual stages of development to mean

A) genital sexual impulses.
B) any pleasure-giving urge.
C) general sexual feelings.
D) none of these things.

Question 73

Freud believed that during the phallic stage, children develop erotically tinged desires for

A) the parent of the opposite sex.
B) the parent of the same sex.
C) playmates.
D) siblings.

Question 74

The Freudian period in which the child's sexuality is largely suppressed and the child focuses on expanding social contacts is the

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

Question 75

Sindi is five years old, and two weeks ago her mother had a baby boy.Since her brother was brought home, Sindi has insisted on drinking all her juice from baby bottles and she has started wetting her bed.According to Freud, Sindi may be unconsciously dealing with her feelings toward her new brother using the defence mechanism of

A) regression.
B) projection.
C) reaction formation.
D) repression.

Question 76

The crucial developmental task associated with the anal stage is

A) the Oedipal complex.
B) gaining superiority.
C) weaning from the breast or bottle.
D) toilet training.

Question 77

Graham is a 25-year-old male who is extremely anxious about any type of sexual activity.According to Freud's view of personality development, this anxiety may have arisen from

A) fixation at the genital stage of psychosexual development.
B) excessive punishment during his toilet training as a toddler.
C) improper weaning from the bottle when he was an infant.
D) an unresolved crisis during the latency stage of psychosexual development.

Question 78

Failure to resolve conflict at a particular stage of psychosexual development may lead to failure to move forward psychologically, a phenomenon that Freud called

A) fixation.
B) displacement.
C) reciprocal determinism.
D) compensation.

Question 79

According to Freud's theory, the developmental periods that leave their mark on adult personality are

A) defence mechanism stages.
B) fixation stages.
C) psychological stages.
D) psychosexual stages.

Question 80

Ashley is nine years old, and it seems that every day she brings home a different friend from school.As she expands her social contacts beyond her immediate family, Ashley is showing behaviour that is typical during Freud's

A) latency stage of psychosexual development.
B) genital stage of psychosexual development.
C) phallic stage of psychosexual development.
D) preconscious stage of psychosexual development.