Deck 12: Biological Traits Hans Eysenck

Question 1

Trait theories differ from type theories because trait theories involve

A) continuous dimensions.
B) observable entities.
C) discrete categories.
D) personality processes.

Answer 1

 A

Question 2

In Hippocrates' classifications of the personality types,a cheerful personality resulted from a predominance of which bodily fluid?

A) Black bile
B) Blood
C) Mucus
D) Yellow bile

Answer 2

 B

Question 3

Following his research in the first two superfactors,Eysenck investigated a third one.What is this?

A) Neuroticism
B) Extraversion
C) Psychoticism
D) Agreeableness

Answer 3

 C

Question 4

Beginning at the bottom of the hierarchy and moving to the top,which is the correct order of Eysenck's hierarchy of personality?

A) Basic types, generalized traits, habitual responses, and specific responses
B) Specific responses, habitual responses, generalized traits, and basic types
C) Basic types, habitual responses, generalized traits, and specific responses
D) Specific responses, generalized traits, habitual responses, and basic types

Question 5

William Sheldon's theory of temperament was based primarily on

A) the collective unconscious.
B) conditioning.
C) physique.
D) interaction among the id, ego, and superego.

Question 6

One difference between the theories of Eysenck and Cattell is that Eysenck

A) dealt with factors that are correlated, whereas Cattell dealt with independent factors.
B) emphasized traits, whereas Cattell emphasized supertraits.
C) dealt with specific dimensions in assessing personality, whereas Cattell considered the scope of personality to be broader.
D) thought that Cattell underestimated the importance and value of factor analysis.

Question 7

In constructing and revising his model,Eysenck first hypothesized a relationship among personality traits.Then he

A) conducted factor analytic studies to identify such trait clusters.
B) constructed a biological theory to explain the hypothesized relationship.
C) rethought the theory in view of the predicted correlations.
D) set up naturalistic experiments to test his hypotheses.

Question 8

When her parents took her to the opera for the first time,seven-year-old Lois stuck her fingers in her ears and kept them there the entire evening.In Eysenck's hierarchy,this behavior would be classified as a

A) basic type.
B) generalized response.
C) habitual response.
D) specific response.

Question 9

Cross-cultural studies of Eysenck's genetic determinants of the three major superfactors suggests that

A) the superfactors are universal personality dimensions.
B) the superfactors are not stable over the course of an individual's life.
C) additional superfactors are likely to be identified.
D) the superfactors are more easily assessed in males than in females.

Question 10

As an emotionally stable introvert,Lydia is calm,thoughtful,and passive under most circumstances.Lydia's personality corresponds to which of Hippocrates' four temperaments?

A) Choleric
B) Melancholic
C) Phlegmatic
D) Sanguine

Question 11

Eysenck's use of factor analysis differed from Cattell's in that Eysenck

A) began with a hypothesis regarding underlying variables and proceeded to test it with factor analysis.
B) drew conclusions based on the clusters that appear as a result of the process of factor analysis.
C) regarded factor analysis as the last step in constructing his model of personality.
D) used a more inductive approach.

Question 12

William Sheldon and Ernest Kretschmer

A) taught hypnosis techniques to Sigmund Freud.
B) conducted research that led directly to the Five-Factor Model of personality.
C) were founding members of the Stone Center group.
D) were predecessors to Eysenck in terms of connecting biological characteristics to personality.

Question 13

Eysenck's theory focuses on the interaction of

A) biology and philosophy.
B) individual differences and general human characteristics.
C) personality factors and physiological characteristics.
D) scientific experimentation and introspective studies.

Question 14

Eysenck referred to _________ when he described "...people whose emotions are labile,strong,and easily aroused; they are moody,touchy ...."

A) emotionality
B) psychoticism
C) extraversion
D) sociability

Question 15

Eysenck believed that a theory of personality should be grounded in the research from which two fields of psychology?

A) Cognitive and clinical psychology
B) Developmental and social psychology
C) Psychoanalytic and humanist psychology
D) Psychometrics and experimental psychology

Question 16

Immanuel Kant organized the four temperaments according to

A) body fluids and mood.
B) body types and emotionality.
C) feelings and activity.
D) physiques and temperament.

Question 17

Reginald recently took a personality test that measures the Big Five traits.He scores very high on openness.How would Eysenck interpret these findings?

A) Reginald will be likely to score very high on neuroticism.
B) Reginald will be likely to score very high on extraversion.
C) Reginald will be likely to score very high on introversion.
D) Openness is a cognitive ability trait, not a temperament, and should be measured by an appropriate IQ test.

Question 18

In Eysenck's view,what was problematic in the personality inventories that preceded criterion analysis?

A) They began with a hypothesis about a possible underlying variable.
B) They were scored by comparing the participant's answers with those of pretested groups.
C) They were scored by trying to interpret the answers to each question.
D) Their scores were regarded objectively as just marks on paper.

Question 19

Jonathan hosts parties for his friends on a regular basis.Eysenck would place this ongoing pattern of behavior at the _____ level of his hierarchy of personality.

A) type
B) trait
C) habitual response
D) specific response

Question 20

How is Eysenck's superfactor of psychoticism different from the other two superfactors?

A) It is only found among Western cultures.
B) It has no opposing dimension.
C) It is found only among males.
D) It appears later in life.

Question 21

Recent research has determined that a variation in the dopamine D2 receptor gene has been linked to _______; as a result,we can conclude that a person with this variation _______.

A) major depression; will be diagnosed with the disorder
B) generalized anxiety disorder; may or may not be diagnosed with the disorder
C) ADHD; may or may not be diagnosed with the disorder
D) schizophrenia; will be diagnosed with the disorder

Question 22

Imaging technology,such as PET,MRI,and fMRI,has been used to identify brain activity correlating to

A) the cravings of alcoholics.
B) economic trends.
C) dating patterns.
D) the runner's high experienced by trained athletes.

Question 23

According to Eysenck,if we were reduced to describing a person in just three dimensions,we could do so using his or her intelligence,neuroticism,and

A) agreeableness.
B) conscientiousness.
C) extraversion.
D) perseverance.

Question 24

Denise is a voluntary participant in a psychological research study.The researcher uses lemons,string,and double-tipped cotton swabs.What variable is the researcher most likely investigating?

A) extraversion.
B) dexterity.
C) intelligence.
D) psychoticism.

Question 25

Eysenck has proposed phenotypic and genotypic models to explain psychoticism,which may best be represented as a continuum from psychosis to normality.Critics of his genetic model have argued that

A) Eysenck does not account for the influences of environmental factors on the development of psychosis.
B) his approach implies a relationship between all mental health disorders.
C) his conclusions have set a dangerous precedent for genetic testing of humans.
D) such studies are a waste of time and resources because we cannot control genetics.

Question 26

Eysenck believed that differences in IQs can be explained on the basis of differences in

A) arousal.
B) cultural backgrounds.
C) evoked potentials.
D) parental IQs.

Question 27

What is the conclusion of studies on discovery learning that takes the personalities of students into consideration?

A) Extraverted students do better with discovery learning.
B) Introverted students do better with discovery learning.
C) There is no relationship between personality and preferred mode of learning.
D) Both extraverts and introverts need equal amounts of discovery and reception learning for maximal learning.

Question 28

Recent research on the brain has identified a __________,which is associated with anxiety and neuroticism,and a _____________,which is associated with extraversion and positive emotions.

A) cerebral cortex; corpus callosum
B) hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; cerebral cortex
C) behavioral approach system; behavioral inhibition system
D) behavioral inhibition system; behavioral approach system

Question 29

When Eysenck chose criterion analysis as the method by which he constructed his personality questionnaires,he made it clear that

A) he was not concerned with the underlying reasons why test-takers answered questions in particular ways.
B) reading proficiency should not influence the personality assessment process.
C) he preferred projective tests to objective tests.
D) he was not concerned about the length of time required to complete his questionnaires.

Question 30

Since World War II,psychology's emphasis has been shifting toward a position that stresses ________ factors; Eysenck felt that psychology should shift its emphasis back to ________ factors.

A) biological; sociocultural
B) environmental; biological
C) sociocultural; environmental
D) individualistic; collective

Question 31

Eysenck believed,and recent research has supported,that psychotics and creative achievers manifest the same cognitive style.On a word-association test,both would

A) generate automatic associations to the test words.
B) give a greater number of more divergent responses.
C) rely on past memories for the answers.
D) respond with a small number of carefully thought-out words.

Question 32

Marta was involved in a car accident in which she experienced a serious head injury.The reticular activating system of her brain was affected.According to Eysenck,this injury is likely to

A) have no impact on her personality.
B) drastically increase her intelligence.
C) slightly increase her psychoticism.
D) alter her level of extraversion.

Question 33

Which of the following is not being mapped in the brain with recently developed technology,such as PET and MRI?

A) Self-transcendence, an adaptive characteristic in aging
B) Processing centers in the brain for negative and positive emotion
C) Brain regions important for forming the sense of self
D) Brain regions that dictate our political affiliations

Question 34

Eysenck suggested that differences in the ratio of introversion to extraversion may be caused by

A) arousal thresholds in the ascending reticular activating system.
B) varying amounts of pituitary gland secretions.
C) sensitivity levels of the limbic system and the hypothalamus.
D) visceral brain activity.

Question 35

Eysenck hypothesized that differences in visceral brain activity are responsible for differences in

A) emotional stability.
B) extraversion.
C) intelligence.
D) psychoticism.

Question 36

Eysenck was critical of early rating forms and inventories used in personality research because

A) their authors mistakenly assumed that individuals answer questions truthfully.
B) they were written at an above-average literacy level, which precluded their use by many individuals with poor reading skills.
C) testing conditions that were identical for everyone could not be established.
D) the tests were timed, which placed stress on the individuals taking them and lead to skewed results.

Question 37

Which of the following is true regarding Eysenck's research and the categorization of psychopathology?

A) Eysenck's research supports the removal of schizophrenia from the diagnostic manual.
B) Eysenck's research supports a dimensionally based factor model of personality disorders.
C) Eysenck's research refutes any role of biological or genetic factors in most forms of psychopathology.
D) Eysenck's research supports the inclusion of abnormally high intelligence as a form of psychopathology.

Question 38

The relationship between personality and psychopathology can be explored using Eysenck's PEN model,especially in relation to his superfactor of

A) extroversion.
B) emotional instability.
C) neuroticism.
D) psychoticism.

Question 39

Ryan experiences a very high level of fear when faced with unexpected or threatening stimuli.He is also generally anxious and rather neurotic.According to research by Jeffrey Gray,Ryan is likely to have

A) an overly sensitive behavioral approach system.
B) borderline personality disorder.
C) an overly sensitive behavioral inhibition system.
D) exposed himself excessively to technology such as the Internet and cell phones, which caused a rewiring of his brain.

Question 40

A phenotype refers to

A) different habitual levels of arousal.
B) inherited anatomical structures.
C) an individual's observable appearance.
D) one's underlying genetic makeup.

Question 41

Discuss Eysenck's contribution to understanding intelligence.

Question 42

Explain the methods Eysenck used to construct his model of personality.

Question 43

Eysenck believed that his greatest contribution to personality theory has been to

A) champion the idiographic approach to the study of personality.
B) connect philosophical ideas of the past with causal theories of behavior.
C) demonstrate that all people are biologically and genetically equal.
D) provide evidence for the overwhelming contribution of nurture to the development of personality.

Question 44

Eysenck's (1952) comments on the effectiveness of psychotherapy gave a tremendous impetus to

A) psychoanalysis.
B) humanistic therapy.
C) cognitive therapy.
D) behavior therapy.

Question 45

Research on PTSD with people in China that were affected by serious,life-threatening natural disasters revealed that higher levels of PTSD were associated with higher levels of

A) extroversion.
B) introversion.
C) psychoticism.
D) neuroticism.

Question 46

Evaluate Eysenck's theory in terms of its function as philosophy,science,and art.

Question 47

Matt is an obsessive-compulsive patient with a need to reread every sentence twenty-five times.For an hour in therapy,his doctor asks him to read sentences written with disappearing ink.After initial panic and anxiety,Matt finds his compulsive need to be abating.The doctor is using a therapeutic method called

A) cognitive restructuring.
B) psychoanalysis.
C) flooding.
D) imagery.

Question 48

Identify the hypothesized causal agents of extraversion-introversion,emotional stability-neuroticism,and psychoticism in Eysenck's theory.Indicate how his work relates to current research on the brain.

Question 49

Describe some of the applications of Eysenck's theory.

Question 50

What was the conclusion of Eysenck's The Effects of Psychotherapy?

A) Behavioral therapy is the least effective of all the psychotherapies.
B) Any form of psychotherapy can be beneficial, provided that the therapist is empathic.
C) Therapists should revert to classical Freudian techniques.
D) There is no evidence for the effectiveness of any studied psychotherapies.

Question 51

Describe how Eysenck measured traits.

Question 52

The AIM-Q is an improvement over Eysenck's Personality Inventory and most other personality inventories because it

A) is based on evolutionary theory and emphasizes that current human behaviors are based on the processes of earlier adaptation and selection.
B) ignores individual differences when trying to explain personality differences in humans.
C) addresses maturational changes in personality and behavior that have not been addressed by other theories.
D) utilizes the nonconscious process of self-awareness to process current behaviors and relate them to the past.

Question 53

Eysenck's theory might be regarded as a model of which approach to personality?

A) Artistic
B) Philosophical
C) Scientific
D) Sociological

Question 54

Eysenck believed that it would be possible in the future to assess a person's intelligence by using an electroencephalogram to determine the complexity of his or her evoked potentials.What would be the advantages of using such a measure instead of a standard IQ test? What would be the drawbacks?

Question 55

The higher an individual rates in psychoticism,the less likely he or she is to express religious views or attend religious services.Why is the most likely for this?

A) The church services are often too long for them to sit through without getting antsy, so they stop going and eventually stop believing in the norms, values, and beliefs held by other followers.
B) These individuals are generally lower in creativity than normal individuals and cannot understand the intangible concepts of God and spirituality.
C) These individuals are not easily conditioned and typically have a high degree of impulsivity that impairs the formation of the conditioned responses involved with organized religion.
D) The majority of these individuals were never exposed to religious values, beliefs, or norms at any point in their lives.

Question 56

Describe the biological basis of behavior and neurosis in Eysenck's theory and current research.

Question 57

Eysenck's The Effects of Psychotherapy stated that there was no acceptable evidence for the efficacy of psychotherapy.To what extent should psychotherapy be supported by evidence of efficacy? What difficulties might emerge if psychotherapists make attempts to provide evidence of this type?

Question 58

Describe superfactors that Eysenck identified through factor analysis and compare them with those of Cattell and the Big Five.

Question 59

How is the behavior of an obsessive-compulsive individual similar to that of a dog in a learned helplessness experiment?

A) Both continue their behavior after it has ceased to have any effect.
B) Both display flexible and unpredictable behavior patterns.
C) Both enjoy being in a risky situation.
D) Both recognize that they need to form new associations.

Question 60

Describe some of the historical predecessors to Eysenck's theory.

Question 61

Eysenck's theory and subsequent research support a dimensional rather than categorical view of personality.What is the implication of this distinction for the diagnosis of psychological disorders (especially personality disorders)?

Question 62

Recent brain research has linked certain brain structures or activity to particular psychological problems.To what extent should traditional methods of psychological assessment_interviews,psychological tests,etc._be replaced by technologies such as MRI and PET?

Question 63

Should intelligence be considered an aspect of personality?