Deck 12: Section 3: Personality

Question 1

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) Extraversion is a Big Five personality factor that also appears in the models of Eysenck (1967) and Cattell (1950). This fact:

A)suggests that a yet-undiscovered personality dimension underlies this trait.
B)increases confidence that it is an underlying dimension of personality.
C)indicates that this dimension overlaps to a greater extent with other personality dimensions.
D)is an artifact of a language rich in adjectives to describe social behavior.

Answer 1

increases confidence that it is an underlying dimension of personality.

Question 2

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) The Big Five personality traits would all correlate positively with one another if:

A)neuroticism was renamed and scored according to emotional stability.
B)extraversion was renamed and scored according to introversion.
C)openness to experience was renamed and scored according to sensation seeking.
D)conscientiousness was renamed and scored according to self-control.

Answer 2

neuroticism was renamed and scored according to emotional stability.

Question 3

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) After finishing his homework, Eron often spends the rest of his night on social media, maintaining his online image by posting updates about himself, monitoring what his friends are doing, and making frequent sarcastic and offensive comments about most others from his school. Eron's personality might best be judged low in _____ and high in _____.

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

Answer 3

agreeableness; extraversion

Question 4

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) A high-school football coach screams, yells, and bullies his players to get them to behave as they ought. _____would state that the coach's personality was low on the _____ scale, and _____ would argue that the coach's behavior reflects his own buried fears of inadequacy.

A)Mischel; conscientiousness; Maslow
B)Allport; conscientiousness; Freud
C)Allport; agreeableness; Freud
D)Maslow; agreeableness; Mischel

Question 5

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) Visualize Eysenck's (1967) model of personality as two perpendicular lines bisecting one another. The horizontal line has an end point of introverted on the left and the vertical line has an upper endpoint of emotionally unstable. Within this space, in which quadrant is the personality trait of leadership?

A)upper left
B)upper right
C)lower left
D)lower right

Question 6

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) Factor analytic techniques are used by personality researchers to:

A)identify the implicit motivations underlying personality.
B)arrange many traits in a hierarchical structure under a small number of dimensions.
C)ensure that the frequency of personality factors in a sample are representative of those in the population.
D)determine if the underlying dimensions of personality are causes or products of behavior.

Question 7

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) The personality dimension of _____ might be expected to range from independent to conforming.

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

Question 8

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) It can be predicted that teenagers scoring low in _____ are more likely than others to act out aggressively and have legal problems.

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

Question 9

Scenario II
Historically, psychologists have conceptualized personality in different ways. Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic approach regards personality as formed by needs, strivings, and desires operating largely outside of awareness in the dynamic unconsciousness. According to Freud, personality characteristics develop early in life, are fairly rigid, and describe behavior in a variety of situations. Like Freud, trait theorists such as Gordon Allport viewed traits as stable predispositions to behave in a variety of contexts. Unlike Freud, they did not believe that these traits were the products of unconscious desires. Humanists, such as Abraham Maslow, viewed individual personality differences as arising from the ways in which the environment facilitates or blocks the innate human tendency to reach our own potential. Behaviorists, such as B. F. Skinner, denied the existence of personality as a thing but rather conceptualized it as a mere summary term for a set of reliable behaviors that are reinforced in the presence of similar situations. Different situations, then, might give rise to different behaviors that might be diametrically opposed when labeled in terms of traits. Finally, the social-cognitive approach of Mischel views personality in terms of how people think and respond to the different situations encountered in daily life. In this approach, personality, learning history, and the situation interact to determine behavior, with the power of the situation often trumping the effects of personality.
(Scenario II) The person-situation controversy focuses on the question of whether behavior is caused more by personality or by the situation. Which psychologist was the strongest advocate for the importance of the "person?"

A)Maslow
B)Allport
C)Mischel
D)Skinner

Question 10

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) Both Cattell's (1950) and Eysenck's (1967) models describe equally well the tremendous variation observed in human personality. Given this, many psychologists prefer Eysenck's model because it is:

A)more parsimonious.
B)less dogmatic.
C)greater in internal validity.
D)more consistent with a social-cognitive approach.

Question 11

Scenario II
Historically, psychologists have conceptualized personality in different ways. Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic approach regards personality as formed by needs, strivings, and desires operating largely outside of awareness in the dynamic unconsciousness. According to Freud, personality characteristics develop early in life, are fairly rigid, and describe behavior in a variety of situations. Like Freud, trait theorists such as Gordon Allport viewed traits as stable predispositions to behave in a variety of contexts. Unlike Freud, they did not believe that these traits were the products of unconscious desires. Humanists, such as Abraham Maslow, viewed individual personality differences as arising from the ways in which the environment facilitates or blocks the innate human tendency to reach our own potential. Behaviorists, such as B. F. Skinner, denied the existence of personality as a thing but rather conceptualized it as a mere summary term for a set of reliable behaviors that are reinforced in the presence of similar situations. Different situations, then, might give rise to different behaviors that might be diametrically opposed when labeled in terms of traits. Finally, the social-cognitive approach of Mischel views personality in terms of how people think and respond to the different situations encountered in daily life. In this approach, personality, learning history, and the situation interact to determine behavior, with the power of the situation often trumping the effects of personality.
(Scenario II) Which psychologist would be most likely to agree with the use of projective personality tests to measure personality?

A)Maslow
B)Allport
C)Mischel
D)Freud

Question 12

Scenario II
Historically, psychologists have conceptualized personality in different ways. Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic approach regards personality as formed by needs, strivings, and desires operating largely outside of awareness in the dynamic unconsciousness. According to Freud, personality characteristics develop early in life, are fairly rigid, and describe behavior in a variety of situations. Like Freud, trait theorists such as Gordon Allport viewed traits as stable predispositions to behave in a variety of contexts. Unlike Freud, they did not believe that these traits were the products of unconscious desires. Humanists, such as Abraham Maslow, viewed individual personality differences as arising from the ways in which the environment facilitates or blocks the innate human tendency to reach our own potential. Behaviorists, such as B. F. Skinner, denied the existence of personality as a thing but rather conceptualized it as a mere summary term for a set of reliable behaviors that are reinforced in the presence of similar situations. Different situations, then, might give rise to different behaviors that might be diametrically opposed when labeled in terms of traits. Finally, the social-cognitive approach of Mischel views personality in terms of how people think and respond to the different situations encountered in daily life. In this approach, personality, learning history, and the situation interact to determine behavior, with the power of the situation often trumping the effects of personality.
(Scenario II) Although their perspectives differ in fundamental ways, this pair of psychologists would be least surprised that otherwise honest people would cheat on an exam if they believed others were doing it and no one would be caught.

A)Allport and Freud
B)Allport and Mischel
C)Mischel and Skinner
D)Skinner and Freud

Question 13

Scenario I
Thousands of words exist in our language to describe aspects of personality. In a search for fundamental traits, psychologists have used statistical techniques such as factor analysis to identify the core dimensions underlying the structure of personality. Over the years, different analyses have yielded different results. Cattell (1950) proposed a model of personality based on 16 unique factors. Eysenck (1967) argued that the thousands of specific behavioral tendencies often attributed to personality can be adequately described by just two dimensions. One dimension (extraversion) ranges from introversion (low scores on this dimension) to extraversion (high scores) and the other (neuroticism) ranges from emotionally stable (low scores) to emotionally unstable (high scores). Today, the most commonly accepted model of personality-the Big Five-posits the existence of five unique dimensions of personality: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1999). Consistent with Eysenck's model, each dimension reflects a range of behavioral tendencies. For example, agreeableness might range from helpful to uncooperative. Someone low in conscientiousness probably will miss deadlines for work assignments, and persons who never travel from their home towns will score low on openness to experience. Research has shown that these five dimensions of personality appear in all cultures and age groups.
(Scenario I) Research demonstrating that the Big Five personality dimensions appear in all cultures and age groups suggest that these dimensions:

A)cause most instances of social behavior.
B)are artifacts of similarities in language and labeling.
C)are learned behaviors shaped by common environments.
D)have a biological basis.

Question 14

Scenario II
Historically, psychologists have conceptualized personality in different ways. Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic approach regards personality as formed by needs, strivings, and desires operating largely outside of awareness in the dynamic unconsciousness. According to Freud, personality characteristics develop early in life, are fairly rigid, and describe behavior in a variety of situations. Like Freud, trait theorists such as Gordon Allport viewed traits as stable predispositions to behave in a variety of contexts. Unlike Freud, they did not believe that these traits were the products of unconscious desires. Humanists, such as Abraham Maslow, viewed individual personality differences as arising from the ways in which the environment facilitates or blocks the innate human tendency to reach our own potential. Behaviorists, such as B. F. Skinner, denied the existence of personality as a thing but rather conceptualized it as a mere summary term for a set of reliable behaviors that are reinforced in the presence of similar situations. Different situations, then, might give rise to different behaviors that might be diametrically opposed when labeled in terms of traits. Finally, the social-cognitive approach of Mischel views personality in terms of how people think and respond to the different situations encountered in daily life. In this approach, personality, learning history, and the situation interact to determine behavior, with the power of the situation often trumping the effects of personality.
(Scenario II). Csikszentmihalyi (1990) argued that environments that are challenging enough to avoid boredom but manageable enough to not provoke anxiety creates an experience of psychological flow that maximizes personality development. This view best represents a _____ approach.

A)psychodynamic
B)humanist
C)behaviorist
D)social-cognitive