Test Bank for Theories of Personality Understanding When we ask, "How is one person different from

Persons 6th Edition by Cloninger (Sections 1) another?" we are asking questions about the
__________ of personality.
Writers and philosophers tell us about human nature.
Why do we also need psychology? 1. A) description
1. A) Writers and philosophers ignore human
motivation. 2. B) dynamics

2. B) Psychology allows a systematic 3. C) development

understanding of human nature.
3. C) Psychology is concerned with values,
which writers and philosophers ignore.
4. D) Writers and philosophers ignore
maladjusted personalities.
4. D) destiny
When we ask, "How do people adjust to their life
situations?" and "How does their thought affect what
they do," we are asking questions about the
__________ of personality.

Psychology attempts to understand human nature 1. A) description

using the method of
2. B) dynamics
1. A) science.
3. C) development
2. B) literature.
4. D) destiny
3. C) intuition.
When we ask, "How do biology and experience
4. D) philosophy. influence a person from childhood onward?" we are
asking questions about the __________ of
What is personality, according to your text? personality.

1. A) a person's social skills 1. A) description

2. B) the reaction of a person to social forces 2. B) dynamics

3. C) the underlying causes within the 3. C) development

person of individual behavior and
experience 4. D) destiny

4. D) the individual's level of adjustment or Categories of people with similar characteristics

mental health
are called 1. A) factors.
Which of the following kinds of questions are not
addressed by personality theory? 2. B) traits.

1. A) questions about personality dynamics 3. C) types.

2. B) questions about personality development 4. D) sets.

3. C) questions about personality description Hippocrates, in ancient Greece, described sanguine,

melancholic, choleric, and phlegmatic __________ of
personality.
4. D) questions about personality diffusion

1. A) traits
 2. B) types 3. C) There are many different types to
describe everyone.
3. C) dynamics
4. D) A person fits into only one type.
4. D) factors
Which of the following does not describe a factor?
A measure in which a person is given a score on
some dimension, for example, a score of 61 or 85 on 1. A) Factor scores are continuous variables.
a 100-point scale of "traditionality", is a __________
measure. 2. B) There are many factors to describe
everyone.
1. A) qualitative
3. C) A person is given a numeric score to
2. B) quantitative indicate how much of a factor the person
possesses.
3. C) factorial
4. D) A person can be described on every
4. D) typological factor.

How can we describe personality? In the study of personality, including the influence of
society and culture allows a better explanation of
____________ differences among people.
1. A) Factors
1. A) gender

2. B) Traits
2. B) ethnic

3. C) Types
3. C) cultural

4. D) All of the above

4. D) all of the above

5. E) None of the above

5. E) none of the above

Which of the following does not describe a trait?

A __________ allows a more precise description of
personality because it refers to a more focused set of
1. A) Trait scores are discontinuous characteristics.
variables
1. A) variable
2. B) A person is given a numeric score to
indicate how much of a trait the person
2. B) type
possesses

3. C) temperament
3. C) There are many traits to describe
everyone
4. D) trait
4. D) A person can be described on every trait.
Like traits, factors are

1. A) broad.
Which of the following does not describe a personality
type? 2. B) quantitative.
1. A) Membership to a type is all or nothing.
3. C) qualitative.
2. B) A person belongs to one and only one
category. 4. D) developmental stages.
In comparison to factors, traits refer to more 4. D) correlational
__________ characteristics.
1. A) socially desirable Rae Carlson (1971)criticized nomothetic personality
research. Which of the following is included in her
2. B) broad criticism?

3. C) specific 1. A) Researchers have failed to understand

individuals as whole persons.
4. D) changeable
2. B) Researchers have failed to use
In comparison to traits, factors refer to more appropriate statistics.
__________ characteristics.
3. C) Researchers have ignored theory.
1. A) socially desirable
4. D) Researchers have studied too many
2. B) specific different kinds of people.

3. C) broad Which of the following is not a major issue in

personality theory concerning the formation and
changes in personality mentioned in the text?
4. D) changeable

1. A) To what extent is personality influenced

Some research gives personality tests to a group of
by heredity?
people and compares their scores. What approach
does this illustrate?
2. B) To what extent can personality change as
a result of learning?
1. A) the idiographic approach

3. C) How much change in personality can

2. B) the case study approach
actually occur in adolescence?

3. C) the nomothetic approach

4. D) How critical are the childhood years for
personality development?
4. D) the clinical approach
Personality __________ refers to motivation.
One person at a time is studied using the
__________ approach.
1. A) description

1. A) factor analytic
2. B) dynamics

2. B) eclectic
3. C) development

3. C) nomothetic
4. D) measurement

4. D) idiographic
Personality dynamics includes which of the following?
1. A) adaptation to the environment
Case studies and psychobiography are examples of
the __________ approach.
2. B) cognitive processes

1. A) idiographic
3. C) cultural influence

2. B) eclectic
4. D) all of the above

3. C) nomothetic
Biological influences result in differences in styles of
behavior and emotional reactions in infancy and
afterwards. Which term best describes such 3. C) theory
differences?
4. D) variable
1. A) personality
Theoretical constructs are
2. B) trait
1. A) obsolete in modern personality theory.
3. C) type
2. B) the concepts of a theory.
4. D) temperament
3. C) used only in experimental research.
All of the following are dynamic issues addressed by
personality theories except 4. D) used only in correlational research.

1. A) Individual differences Which of the following illustrates an operational

definition of "shyness."
2. B) Adaptation and Adjustment 1. A) Shyness is caused by teasing.

3. C) Cognitive Processes 2. B) Shyness in childhood predicts shyness in

adulthood.
4. D) Culture
3. C) Shyness is measured by a 25-item
Which of the following is not a major issue addressed selfreport test.
by personality theories?
4. D) Shyness is common in adolescence.
1. A) Descriptive issues
The statement, "High self-esteem causes
2. B) Developmental issues social responsibility" is 1. A) a theoretical

3. C) Directive issues proposition.

4. D) Developmental issues 2. B) a hypothesis.

Personality theories are tested using the __________ 3. C) an operational definition.

method.
4. D) a paradigm.
1. A) intuitive
A theoretical proposition is
2. B) clinical
1. A) an abstract statement telling how two
3. C) scientific theoretical constructs are related.

4. D) idiographic 2. B) a statement saying how a theoretical

construct can be measured.
Test Bank for Theories of Personality Understanding
Persons 6th Edition by Cloninger (Sections 2) 3. C) a prediction about observations in
research.
A __________ is a conceptual tool for understanding
certain specified phenomena. 4. D) a proposal to change the way personality
is developed, based on theoretical
considerations.
1. A) theoretical construct

Which of the following illustrates a theoretical

2. B) psychological test
proposition?
 1. A) Frustration leads to aggression. 2. B) parsimonious

2. B) Aggression includes verbal behavior (e.g., 3. C) defined precisely

insulting someone) as well as physical
behavior (e.g., 4. D) valuable heuristically

3. hitting someone). Theories that apply to only a narrow range of

behavior are not
4. C) Frustration can be produced by a
malfunctioning soda machine. 1. A) comprehensive.

5. D) Frustration is a subjective experience. 2. B) refutable. 3. C)

A hypothesis is scientific.

1. A) an abstract statement telling how two 4. D) empirically verifiable.

theoretical constructs are related.
A theory that offers practical strategies for
2. B) a statement saying how a theoretical
construct can be measured. improving human life is said to have 1. A)
comprehensiveness.
3. C) a prediction about observations in
research.
2. B) applied value.

4. D) a proposal to change the way personality

3. C) generalizability.
is developed, based on theoretical
considerations.
4. D) empirical verifiability.
A hypothesis is tested by
Which of the following is not listed by the text as a
criterion of a good theory?
1. A) logical reasoning.

1. A) comprehensiveness
2. B) reviewing the published literature.

2. B) verifiability
3. C) conducting empirical research.

3. C) applied value
4. D) examining the results of several related
studies.
4. D) consistency with human values
The criterion of verifiability requires that theoretical
propositions be A theory that has suggested new ideas for later
theories and research, is said to have
1. A) true.
1. A) applied value.
2. B) reliable.
2. B) heuristic value.
3. C) testable by empirical research.
3. C) parsimony.
4. D) applicable to a variety of populations.
4. D) empirical validity.
For a theoretical construct to be clearly understood, it
must be: Which statement best describes the relationship
between theory and research?
1. A) verifiable
 1. A) Theory and research are separate 4. D) projective.
disciplines within personality psychology.
A researcher decides to see how consistent a new
2. B) Theory influences research by suggesting personality test is by computing two scores. One
research ideas, but research has no impact score is the total of the odd-numbered items. The
on theory. other score is the total of the even-numbered items.
What is the researcher assessing?
3. C) When research has become
sophisticated, with good measuring 1. A) validity
instruments, theory is no longer
2. B) test-retest reliability
4. necessary.
3. C) alternate forms reliability
5. D) Theory and research mutually influence
one another. 4. D) split-half reliability

Implicit theories of personality could be described by Which approach to reliability can be used if subjects
all but which of the following? are tested on only one occasion, using only one test?

1. A) They are generally held by ordinary 1. A) test-retest reliability

people.
2. B) alternate forms reliability
2. B) They are unscientific.
3. C) split half reliability
3. C) They are not necessarily incorrect.
4. D) No reliability tests are possible with only
4. D) Their accuracy is guaranteed. one testing session.

Which statement best describes personality research Which of the following factors contributes to higher
methods? test reliability?
1. A) homogeneous items
1. A) Experimental research is the best
research method. Others are now obsolete. 2. B) a short test

2. B) Personality can only be studied by 3. C) changes in the personality trait

correlational methods, since it is not possible
to do true experiments
4. D) items that test different things

3. in this area.
Assessing intelligence by measuring the size of

4. C) Personality research is best done with a person's head would be 1. A) reliable

large groups of subjects.
but not valid.

5. D) A variety of personality research methods

2. B) valid but not reliable.
are appropriate for personality research.

3. C) neither reliable nor valid.

A personality measure that produces consistent
scores from one time to another is
4. D) both reliable and valid.
1. A) valid.
Sam is taking a personality test for the second time.
The first time he was simply guessing at answers.
2. B) useless.
The second time, he remembers how he answered
before, and answers the same way in order to be
3. C) reliable. consistent. The test will probably be
 1. A) reliable but not necessarily valid. 2. B) are often reliable.

2. B) valid but not reliable. 3. C) always measure several personality traits

simultaneously.
3. C) neither reliable nor valid.
4. D) are valid even when subjects intentionally
4. D) both reliable and valid. give false responses.

In using the "known groups method" to determine Tests, such as inkblot tests, which ask people to
whether a test is valid, a researcher needs to test respond to ambiguous stimuli, are called

1. A) groups of people whom he or she knows 1. A) self-report measures.

personally.
2. B) response measures.
2. B) subjects who agree to have their names
known. 3. C) projective tests.

3. C) groups with published norms on a variety 4. D) behavioral measures.

of personality tests.
Behavioral measures used in personality research
4. D) groups which can be presumed to include
differ on the construct being measured.
1. A) Real life observation
If a test of academic ability given to high school
students is correlated with grades during the 2. B) Laboratory observation
freshman year at college, the test has
3. C) Self reports
1. A) construct validity.
4. D) All the above
2. B) test-retest reliability.
Personality researchers use
3. C) alternate forms reliability.
1. A) self-report measures.
4. D) predictive validity.
2. B) projective tests.
Construct validity is present when
3. C) behavioral measures.
1. A) a construct can be operationally defined.
4. D) all of the above
2. B) a test distinguishes among criterion
groups.
Test Bank for Theories of Personality Understanding
Persons 6th Edition by Cloninger (Sections 3)
3. C) several research studies confirm the
usefulness of the construct.
__________ research examines the relationships
among two or more variables.
4. D) good measurement has been 1. A) Correlational
demonstrated.
2. B) Experimental

3. C) Idiographic
Direct self-report measures of personality
4. D) Psychobiographical
1. A) are seldom used.
Correlational research 1. A) cause.

1. A) is used to demonstrate causal 2. B) effect.

relationships among variables.
3. C) third variable.
2. B) is seldom used in the field of personality.
4. D) uncontrollable factor.
3. C) cannot determine causality underlying
observed relationships among variables. A researcher is interested in testing the proposition
that being in a good mood causes increased
4. D) includes independent and dependent cooperation among children at school. This can be
variables. tested by conducting an experiment in which the
dependent variable is
Which of the following procedures can determine
cause-effect relationships? 1. A) mood.
1. A) correlational research.
2. B) being in school.
2. B) factor analysis.
3. C) cooperation.
3. C) experimental research.
4. D) age.
4. D) the case study.
A researcher is interested in testing the proposition
A research study has shown that adolescents who that watching a lot of television causes increased
play on sports teams are more likely to be admitted to
aggressiveness among children at school. This
college than those who do not play sports. From this
study, we can conclude that can be tested by conducting an experiment in
which the independent variable is 1. A) watching a
1. A) playing on sports teams causes increased lot of television.
success in college applications.
2. B) being in school.
2. B) college applications cause increased
participation on sports teams. 3. C) aggressiveness.

3. C) most college students have played 4. D) age.

sports.
An intensive investigation of an individual is
4. D) there is a relationship between playing
sports and being admitted into college called a(n) 1. A) bibliography.

The independent variable corresponds to what a 2. B) experiment.

researcher thinks is the
3. C) case study.
1. A) cause.
4. D) psychoanalysis.
2. B) effect.
Psychobiography is different from case studies
3. C) third variable. because psychobiography has more emphasis on

4. D) uncontrollable factor. 1. A) pathology.

The dependent variable corresponds to what a 2. B) theoretical considerations.

researcher thinks is the
3. C) the individual.
 4. D) experimental methods. 3. C) theory

Which statement best describes the relationship 4. D) hypothesis

between psychobiography and psychoanalytic
theory? One major division among theories, sometimes called
the "two disciplines" or "two cultures" of psychology,
1. A) Psychobiography is, by definition, based is between
upon psychoanalytic theory.
1. A) clinical and idiographic theories.
2. B) In the past, psychoanalytic theory
guided much psychobiography, but the 2. B) scientific and humanistic approaches.
field has broadened to
3. C) human and animal theories.
3. include other theories.
4. D) laboratory and scientific theories.
4. C) Psychobiography is the term used for
psychoanalytic case studies, when they are
Personality may be defined as the underlying causes
published in non-
within the person of individual behavior and
experience.
5. clinical journals.
1. True
6. D) Psychobiography is a therapeutic
technique within psychoanalysis.
2. False

Psychobiography is most useful for 1. A)

Personality types are quantitative, while traits are not
quantitative.
clarifying theoretical statements.
1. True
2. B) testing cause-effect relationships.
2. False
3. C) devising new personality measures.
A personality type is broader than a personality trait.
4. D) treating people with personality
maladjustments.
1. True

An approach that combines aspects of several

2. False
different theories is called

Most personality research is idiographic.

1. A) eclectic.

1. True
2. B) heuristic.

2. False
3. C) nomothetic.

Traits, factors, and types all describe personality?

4. D) experimental.

1. True
The term __________ refers to a theoretical model
that has been generally accepted by scientists in a
field (such as personality psychology). 2. False

1. A) paradigm The idiographic approach studies one person at a

time.
2. B) construct
1. True
 2. False Most personality psychologists think that heredity is
unimportant as a determinant of personality.
Psychobiography uses a nomothetic approach to
understanding people. 1. True

1. True 2. False

2. False Experience, especially in adulthood, influences the

way each person develops toward his or her unique
Nomothetic research is generally regarded as more personality
scientific than idiographic research.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
Test Bank for Theories of Personality Understanding
Historically, culture and society have been important Persons 6th Edition by Cloninger (Sections 4)
considerations in the study of personality?
There is considerable evidence that personality is
1. True relatively stable over a person’s lifetime.

2. False 1. True

Collectivist cultures promote the personality 2. False

characteristics of extraversion and assertiveness.
The scientific method requires personality
1. True psychologists, like other scientists, to assume that
behavior is determined by causes that can be found
through research.
2. False

1. True
Based on test scores, U.S. students have been
increasing in self-esteem, extraversion, anxiety, and
neuroticism. 2. False

1. True

2. False Abstract concepts in personality theory can be directly

observed but do not necessarily correspond to
observable phenomena.
The study of personality dynamics often focuses on
motivation directing behavior.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
Abstract concepts in personality theory cannot be
directly observed but do correspond to observable
Personality psychologists, unlike clinical
phenomena.
psychologists, are not concerned with adaptation and
adjustment.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
Operational definitions describe the practical 1. True
applications of personality theory to improving the
human condition. 2. False

1. True To determine test-retest reliability, it is necessary to

have two different forms of a test.
2. False
1. True
Propositions are associated with the theoretical level
while hypotheses are associated with the level of 2. False
observables.
Other things being equal, a long test is usually more
1. True reliable than a short test.

2. False 1. True

The criterion of verifiability requires that the theorist 2. False

specify observations which would refute the
prediction.
A personality test which measures what it claims to
measure is said to be valid.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
Disconfirmation of a theory is as important as support
found for a theory for advancing science.
One way of studying the validity of a test is to
determine whether it predicts behavior.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
Basic research is intended to advance theory and
scientific knowledge.
A test that yields the same score on two occasions is
said to have construct validity.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
Theory influences research, but the opposite does not
occur.
Tests that measure personality using direct self-report
measures almost always produce the same score as
1. True those that use behavioral measures.

2. False 1. True

A personality test which yields consistent scores on 2. False

two occasions is said to be reliable.
A test score should not be used to make statements
1. True about populations (races, ages, and so on) other than
those for which there is evidence about test validity.
2. False
1. True
A personality test which yields consistent scores on
two occasions is said to be valid. 2. False
Objective measures sometimes play a role in 2. False
personality research by measuring personality itself.
A psychobiography is a case study that emphasizes
1. True theoretical considerations.

2. False 1. True

Behavioral measures help develop an understanding 2. False

of personality in its real-world context.
To determine whether a person died of suicide,
1. True psychologists may carry out a psychological autopsy.

2. False 1. True

In an experiment, the dependent variable measures 2. False

the "effect."
All psychobiography, by definition, uses
1. True psychoanalysis to interpret an individual.

2. False 1. True

In an experiment, the dependent variable measures 2. False

the "cause."
Psychoanalysis emphasizes the importance of
1. True childhood experience in understanding individuals.

2. False 1. True

It is generally difficult to manipulate a personality trait 2. False

as a cause in an experiment.
Most personality psychologists can be considered
1. True eclectic.

2. False 1. True

Experimental research is the primary method for 2. False

studying personality.
In recent years, experts have agreed on one
1. True paradigm in personality.

2. False 1. True

Constructs derived from experimental research can 2. False

be considered identical to those derived from
correlational research. Psychologists in the scientific culture emphasize
experimentation over intuition.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
An intensive investigation of a single individual is
called a case study. Test Bank for Theories of Personality 10th Edition by
Ryckman (Sections 1)
1. True
Personality is: 3. c. scientifically valid conclusion.

1. a. easy to define precisely. 4. d. scientifically reliable conclusion.

2. b. defined best in terms of a person's social Science is an enterprise that:

attractiveness to others.
1. a. leads to the accumulation of absolute
3. c. an abstraction that refers to the internal facts.
instincts of a person.
2. b. is concerned with the description,
4. d. the scientific study of individual explanation, prediction, and control of
differences. events.

There is basic agreement among personality 3. c. leads to the accumulation of systematized

psychologists that personality is a(n): knowledge based on speculation.

1. a. physical reality. 4. d. is pursued by impersonal and bias-free

scientists.
2. b. instinct.
Operational definitions of concepts are important
3. c. complex abstraction. 4. d. because they:

common genetic thing. 1. a. provide an objective and reliable basis

for communication among scientists.
Theory-based predictions are called:
2. b. are equivalent in many respects to
conceptual replication schemes.
1. a. hypotheses.

3. c. allow the scientist to accumulate hard and

2. b. psychological constructs.
absolute facts.

3. c. empirical observations.
4. d. provide a key operation for our data and
facts.
4. d. physical observations.
The variables actively manipulated by the
If people who are more dominant tend also to be experimenter are called:
more anxious, we would say that the correlation
between the two traits is:
1. a. replication variables.

1. a. positive.
2. b. independent variables.

2. b. neutral.
3. c. control variables.

3. c. nonexistent.
4. d. dependent variables.

4. d. negative.
If Bill explains Mark's aggressive behavior at a party
by saying it was caused by feelings of insecurity, we
would conclude that this explanation is a(n):
The measures of changes in behavior that occur as a
result of the manipulation of conditions by an
experimenter are called:
1. a. dependent variable changes.

1. a. post hoc conclusion.

2. b. independent variable changes.

2. b. a priori conclusion.
3. c. control group manipulations.
 4. d. independent constants. 3. c. elimination correlation.

In their study on self-affirmation, Creswell, Welch, 4. d. partial correlation.

Taylor, Sherman, Gruenwald, and Mann found that:
The case history method involves:
1. a. self-affirmation usually makes people feel
immoral, incompetent, and inadequate. 1. a. the study of typical differences in
personality between people.
2. b. people who affirmed themselves by
thinking about their most important 2. b. assessment of the impact of independent
values were better able to cope with the variables on given dependent variables.
stress generated by a challenging task.
3. c. intensive study of a person's behavior
3. c. stress associated with a boring task was over a period of time and in many
unrelated to study participants' cortisol different situations.
levels.
4. d. correlation between two variables in the
4. d. people who failed to affirm themselves person's life history that the therapist deems
were better able to cope with the stress important.
generated by a boring and complicated task.
The use of the case study method:
A perfect negative correlation would be written:
1. a. allows an investigator to make causal
1. a. -3.00. inferences about behavior.

2. b. -1.00. 2. b. may lead to serendipitous findings that

are the source of new and interesting
3. c. -2.50. testable hypotheses.

4. d. +1.00. 3. c. yields data that are easily applicable to

people in general.
Positive correlations between variables occur when:
4. d. allows an investigator to control
1. a. high scores on one variable are systematically and account for the variables
associated with low scores on another under his or her scrutiny.
variable.
A "good" theory should encompass and explain a
2. b. high scores on one variable are wide range and diversity of phenomena. This
associated with high scores on another statement refers to the theory's:
variable.
1. a. precision.
3. c. high scores and low scores are
significantly related in a negative way. 2. b. testability.

4. d. low scores on a key variable are related to 3. c. applied value

high scores on a second variable.
4. d. comprehensiveness.
A correlational technique that allows an investigator to
assess the relationship between two variables by A "good" theory should stimulate thinking and
eliminating the influence of other variables is called research. This statement refers to the theory's:
a(n):
1. a. testability.
1. a. error correlation.
2. b. heuristic value.
2. b. crystal correlation.
 3. c. applied value. 1. a. research and correlational techniques.

4. d. precision. 2. b. case studies and correlational techniques.

A "good" theory must be capable of generating 3. c. hypothesis and theory.

accurate predictions of behavior. This statement
refers to the theory's: 4. d. theory and method.

1. a. heuristic value. The case study method provides:

2. b. testability. 1. a. data that are easily applied to people in

general.
3. c. empirical validity.
2. b. data stressing the average or typical
4. d. applied value. differences between individuals.

A "good" theory should contain only those concepts 3. c. information on the consistencies of the
and assumptions that are necessary for the person's behavior.
explanation of events within its domain. This
statement refers to the theory's: 4. d. a view of the uniqueness of the person.

1. a. rigor. A highly complex abstraction which encompasses a

variety of dimensions is called a:
2. b. testability.
1. a. criterion.
3. c. applied value.
2. b. constructive entity.
4. d. parsimony.
3. c. psychological construct.
A "good" theory leads to new approaches to the
solution of people's problems. This statement refers 4. d. replication.
to the theory's:
A fundamental assumption in a theory from which
1. a. precision. hypotheses can be derived is called a(n):

2. b. applied value. 1. a. scientific method.

3. c. comprehensiveness. 2. b. postulate.

4. d. testability. 3. c. concrete reality.

Another term for data is: 4. d. spatial ability.

1. a. prediction. A numerical index of the probability that a particular

result occurred by chance is called:
2. b. sample.
1. a. abstraction significance.
3. c. empirical evidence.
2. b. statistical significance.
4. d. postulate.
3. c. probability norm.
Science involves an intertwining of two major
processes: 4. d. hypothetical norm.
The establishment of a reliable relation between 2. b. Rembrandt.
variables is called a:
3. c. Vermeer.
1. a. hypothesis.
4. d. Picasso.
2. b. postulate.
One of the major postulates of self-affirmation theory
3. c. prediction. is that:

4. d. law. 1. a. each of us likes conflict.

A person's written or oral description of his or her own 2. b. each of us has a unique self.
behavior is called a(n):
3. c. some people have unique selves.
1. a. concrete behavior.
4. d. masochism is associated with
2. b. self-report. selfaffirmation.

3. c. experimental method. According to Ryckman, a completely adequate theory

of personality:
4. d. controlled behavior.
1. a. will be constructed by a personality
Predictions made before the collection of data are psychologist in the next decade.
called:
2. b. has already been constructed by several
1. a. a priori predictions. personality theorists.

2. b. post hoc predictions. 3. c. will never be constructed.

3. c. operational predictions. 4. d. was once constructed in the early 1900s

by a French physician.
4. d. law predictions.
If Jim observes Karen's behavior in a number of
situations and concludes that she has a "decent
In deductive theories, the definitions of the constructs
personality", personality psychologists would claim
in the hypotheses which must be stated clearly are
that he is:
called:

1. a. defining her personality accurately.

1. a. empirical definitions.

2. b. using the layperson's definition of

2. b. operational definitions.
personality.

3. c. literary definitions.
3. c. defining her personality scientifically.

4. d. conceptual definitions.
4. d. basing his judgment on an objective
assessment of her behavior and attitudes.
Test Bank for Theories of Personality 10th Edition by
Ryckman (Sections 2)
An explanation of a phenomenon given after its
occurrence is called a(n):
A good example of the case study method is Freud's
analysis of the personality of:
1. a. a priori explanation.

1. a. Leonardo Da Vinci.
2. b. previous explanation.
 3. c. post hoc explanation. 4. d. the experimenters can now proceed to
solicit the participants' informed consent.
4. d. postulate.
The law of effect is a theoretical summary statement
There is basic agreement among personality that was based on a(n):
psychologists that:
1. a. deductive approach to theory
1. a. personality theories are all the same in construction.
terms of the predictions they make.
2. b. inductive approach to theory
2. b. personality theories typically study construction.
identical phenomena.
3. c. a set of general theoretical propositions.
3. c. the kind of theories that theorists
construct depend to some extent on the 4. d. a priori theorizing.
theorists' personalities.
If Professor Judson is stimulated to do research on
4. d. personality theories provide unequivocal dreaming after reading Freud's The Interpretation of
hypotheses which yield highly consistent Dreams, we could say that:
data.
1. a. Freud's views had heuristic value for
Theories that are created from a solid base of data the professor.
are called:
2. b. Freud's theory had little value for the
1. a. deductive theories. professor.

2. b. hypothetic-deductive theories. 3. c. Freud's theory was so economical that the

professor couldn't wait to test it.
3. c. inductive theories.
4. d. even though the professor believed the
4. d. generalized deductive theories. theory was completely accurate he decided
to test it anyway.
Theories that are invented in order to account for
facts are called: In the Katz, Fromme, and D'Amico study which
examined the relationship between personality traits
and various illicit behaviors, it was found that:
1. a. inductive theories.

1. a. low sensation seekers were more likely

2. b. generalized moral speculations. 3.
than high sensation seekers to engage in
heavy drinking.
c. metaphorical inductive theories.
2. b. high and low sensation seekers both
4. d. deductive theories. tended to engage in the same level of illicit
drug use.
When experimenters provide study participants with a
description of the true nature and purpose of a study 3. c. high sensation seekers abstained from
after it is completed, we can conclude that: heavy smoking, whereas low sensation
1. a. participants have not given their informed seekers did not.
consent.
4. d. high sensation seekers were more
2. b. participants have been debriefed. likely than low sensation seekers to
engage in heavy drinking.
3. c. the experimenters are unethical.
The groups in an experiment that provides baseline
data so that the effectiveness of the independent
variable manipulation can be accurately assessed is 4. d. hypotheses.
called the:
A "good" theory should help to solve problems that
1. a. assessed group. are of concern to people. This statement refers to the
theory's:
2. b. dependent group.
1. a. basic value.
3. c. control group.
2. b. parsimony.
4. d. independent group.
3. c. applied value.
Studies which provide some information on
causeand-effect relationships are called: 4. d. testability.

1. a. correlational studies. When the exact purpose of an experiment is

explained to a study participant after the experimental
2. b. independent studies. session, it is a(n):

3. c. case studies. 1. a. experiment.

4. d. experiments. 2. b. debriefing.

If Larry believes that John will start a fight with 3. c. consent form.
someone at the next party if he drinks too much beer,
we would say that this belief is Larry's: 4. d. uninformed consent form.

1. a. axiom. Theories which consist of a set of assumptions from

which hypotheses are derived and then tested are
2. b. data. called:

3. c. philosophy. 1. a. inductive theories.

4. d. hypothesis. 2. b. data theories.

In an experiment, the group that does not receive the 3. c. questionnaire-based theories.
experimental treatment is called the:
4. d. deductive theories.
1. a. independent group.
One limitation of defining personality in terms of the
2. b. dependent group. social attractiveness of the person is that it:

3. c. control group. 1. a. defines personality in terms of a moral

evaluation of the person being evaluated.
4. d. study group.
2. b. assesses personality as primarily rooted
in biology.
Recorded observations of phenomena are called:

3. c. prevents the description of the

1. a. data.
personalities of certain people.

2. b. propositions.
4. d. is that only women can be defined in
terms of physical attractiveness.
3. c. postulates.
If people who are more intelligent also tend to be less If Bob observes Jim's behavior in a few situations and
anxious, we would say that the correlation between concludes that he has a "lousy" personality,
the two traits is: personality psychologists would claim that Bob is:

1. a. positive. 1. a. defining Jim's personality scientifically.

2. b. negative. 2. b. using the layperson's definition of

personality.
3. c. neutral.
3. c. making an objective judgment about Jim's
4. d. nonexistent. personality.

The study participants who experience the intentional 4. d. basing his judgment about Jim's
alteration of a factor(s) in an experiment is called the: personality on certain instinctual urges that
he can see in Jim's behavior.
1. a. control group.
If Jill believes that John will start a fight if he sees her
partying with Joe, we would say that this belief is
2. b. partial correlational group.
Jill's:

3. c. unmanipulated group.
1. a. postulate.

4. d. experimental treatment group.

2. b. philosophy.

Research findings that are based on testing

3. c. hypothesis.
hypotheses are:

4. d. axiom.
1. a. never determined statistically.

The finding which indicates that the greater the

2. b. always considered absolutely proven.
hypercompetitiveness of students, the lower their
altruism reflects a:
3. c. always determined statistically.
1. a. positive correlation.
4. d. nearly always irrelevant to the study's
objectives.
2. b. negative correlation.

Prominent thinkers in the philosophy of science

3. c. curvilinear correlation.
contend that:

4. d. lack of association between the two

1. a. there is only one theory in each of the
variables.
socalled mature sciences, not many
competing theories.
A perfect, positive correlation would be written:
2. b. it is rare for any single theory to
achieve unquestioned leadership or 1. a. +2.00.
dominance in a discipline.
2. b. -1.00. 3. c. -2.00.
3. c. psychology is a mature science because it
has only a single theory. 4. d. +1.00.

4. d. psychology and physics are the only In an experiment, the group of study participants that
disciplines to use competing theories to does not receive the experimental treatment is called
explain phenomena. a:
 1. a. correlational group. 2. b. the number and variety of your social
situations and interactions with others.
2. b. manipulated group.
3. c. hypnosis.
3. c. control group.
4. d. adult neurosis.
4. d. experimental group.
Wundt and others created the study of psychology but
Test Bank for Theories of Personality 10th Edition by believed the subject was also linked to
Schultz (Sections 1)
1. a. the study of physics and chemistry.
We research theories of personality to
2. b. the analysis of basic elements as they
1. a. agree with all theorists on their own pertain to our mind.
personality theories.
3. c. culture and the variety of our interactions
2. b. describe their use for real-world with people.
problems.
4. d. all of the above.
3. c. show how personality theories are
superior to any other theories. Watson was a psychologist who focused on
___________ in the United States.
4. d. generalize that all people are the same
across cultures. 1. a. behaviorism

Understanding and knowing your own personality 2. b. psychoanalysis

1. a. will help you to diagnose others that are 3. c. existentialism

different from you.
4. d. cognitive processes
2. b. will help you find compatible people in
your life. _______________ presents a mechanistic picture of
human beings.
3. c. will help you to avoid people who are not
perfect for your life. 1. a. Psychoanalysis

4. d. will help determine your success and life 2. b. Education

fulfillment.
3. c. Medication
We ________ personality in order to better
understand ourselves and others.
4. d. Behaviorism

1. a. correct
Freud based his theory of personality on

2. b. exaggerate
1. a. the laboratory setting.

3. c. judge
2. b. cognitive processing.

4. d. ignore Your personality can be

3. c. clinical observation of his patients.

shaped by
4. d. behaviorism.

1. a. organic reflex reactions.

Learned habits and response systems are attributed 3. c. Personality involves the interpretations of
to fantasies and past recollections of repressed
memories.
1. a. Jung.
4. d. Personality is entirely based on how we
2. b. Watson. were treated during childhood.

3. c. Skinner. Persona is

4. d. Freud. 1. a. a person’s mechanistic behavior.

Behaviorism, according to __________, perceives 2. b. predictable and automatic.

human beings as well-ordered machines.
3. c. like a mask used by actors in a play.
1. a. Skinner
4. d. only what others think about us.
2. b. Watson
Your personality can be
3. c. Jung
1. a. rigid and inflexible.
4. d. Freud
2. b. constantly changing.
Neo-psychoanalysts focus on 1. a. their
3. c. based on traits and behavior.
own interpretations of behavior.
4. d. all of the answers
2. b. behaviorism.
Social networking sites, such as Facebook, can
3. c. learned responses and habits.
1. a. increase an idealized self-image.
4. d. the whole person in how they function
in the real world. 2. b. help a person pretend they are someone
else.
__________ is generally considered to have
formalized the study of personality. 3. c. be as accurate as face-to-face interactions
in determining personality.
1. a. Freud
4. d. all the answers
2. b. Allport
In research, those who have a high level of
3. c. Jung social network use 1. a. are more

4. d. Skinner extroverted.

Personality can be summed up by which of the 2. b. are more introverted.

following phrases?
3. c. are more anxious.
1. a. Personality is how we perceive
ourselves and also how others perceive 4. d. score higher on tests of emotional
us. stability.

2. b. Personality shows that we are In research, shy American college students who use
deterministic, mechanical and don’t change text messages were more likely to experience
throughout our lives.
 1. a. a reduction in their feelings of A limiting factor in research of personality is that
loneliness. subjects

2. b. an increase in their fears of loneliness. 1. a. come from only cultural and ethnic
samples.
3. c. no change in their feelings of loneliness.
2. b. are paid and easily conform to how the
4. d. an increase in emotional instability researcher wants them to respond.

In the past, ____ ____were more likely to be used in 3. c. are mostly college students.
research on personality theory.
4. d. are mostly children and adolescents in
1. a. white women treatment.

2. b. Latino men Reliability involves

3. c. white men 1. a. consistent results on multiple

administrations of a test.
4. d. black men
2. b. a reliable indicator of the validity of a test.
Children who are exposed to vastly different
environments 3. c. a reliable score for the person taking the
test.
1. a. have vastly different personalities.
4. d. a valid profile of a person taking a test.
2. b. are equally the same in personality.
Which question best clarifies the meaning of validity?
3. c. are more isolated and lonely.
1. a. Has the test been taken by many people?
4. d. are likely to be more introverted than
extroverted. 2. b. Does the student know what is on the
test?
Girls and boys are still reared according to
3. c. Does the test measure what it is
supposed to measure?
1. a. the norms of the neighborhood where they
were raised.
4. d. Is the test reliable?
2. b. the explicit wishes of the grandparents.
Types of validity include __________ validity.
3. c. books on parenting.
1. a. predictive
4. d. traditional stereotypes.
2. b. content
A research study from 1940 showed that those with
more “masculine” jobs 3. c. construct

1. a. report lower job satisfaction. 4. d. all the answers

2. b. report a higher mortality rate. Reliability is

3. c. report higher rates of depression. 1. a. the consistency of the responses to a

test.
4. d. report higher rates of job burnout.
 2. b. when a test measures what the test is When taking a self-report inventory, people may be
supposed to measure. more honest with their answers if

3. c. used to validate and predict behavior. 1. a. an online test is given.

4. d. the scores from different tests. 2. b. a paper-and-pencil test is given.

The most widely used self-report personality test used 3. c. a person wants to look “good” on their
today is answers.

1. a. the Rorschach Inkblot Technique. 4. d. a person takes a test in the classroom.

2. c. the Myers-Briggs Indicator. Test Bank for Theories of Personality 10th Edition by
Schultz (Sections 2)
3. b. the MMPI.
A projective test of personality
4. d. the Thematic Apperception Test.
1. a. clearly describes an objective viewpoint of
The MMPI, in its different forms, is used with personality.

1. a. adults only. 2. b. projects a person’s fears, needs, and

values through the test.
2. b. adults and adolescents only.
3. c. is based on the behavioral theory of
personality.
3. c. only children.

4. d. is based on a model created by John

4. d. adults, adolescents and children.
Watson.

The MMPI is NOT appropriate for

The Rorschach Inkblot Technique is given

1. a. those with lower intelligence.

1. a. only to adults.

2. b. those with lower reading skills.

2. b. to objectively interpret the values, needs,
and fears of a person.
3. c. children.
3. c. only to patients in a psychiatric hospital.
4. d. all the answers.
4. d. to people of a wide range of age.
Self-report measures of personality are advantageous
because
In research for the Rorschach, conclusions on validity
and reliability are
1. a. they are designed to be taken by children,
adolescents, and adults.
1. a. mixed.

2. b. they are designed for people of all ranges

2. b. highly accurate and precise.
of intelligence.

3. c. invalidated.
3. c. they are designed to be scored
accurately.
4. d. considered valid and reliable, since the
test is so popular.
4. d. they are designed for people with all
ranges of reading ability.
The Thematic Apperception Test was developed by
 1. a. Sigmund Freud. __________ students are more self-critical than
_________ students in assessment of personality.
2. b. Morgan and Murray.
1. a. European / American
3. c. Carl Jung.
2. b. Australian/ American
4. d. John Watson.
3. c. American/ Japanese
The Thematic Apperception Test is a(n)
____________ test. 4. d. Japanese / American

1. a. valid and reliable People from collectivist cultures ___________ than

those from individualistic cultures.
2. b. objective
1. a. tend to be more self-critical
3. c. projective
2. b. tend to be less self-critical
4. d. multiple-choice
3. c. tend to be about the same in self-criticism
The ____ ____ is a widely used technique for
personality assessment. 4. d. tend to exhibit greater optimism

1. a. classroom exam Traditional Hispanic and Asian cultures tend to

2. b. achievement test 1. a. seek therapy more frequently than Whites.

3. c. intelligence test 2. b. seek therapy less often than Whites.

4. d. clinical interview 3. c. not seek therapy at all.

In the assessment of personality, research shows 4. d. keep their distress hidden and only reveal
this distress with close family members.
1. a. a higher level of depression in girls than in
boys. Case study data collected with the clinical method

2. b. a higher rate of depression in women than 1. a. is more objective.

in men.
2. b. reveals the truth about the person.
3. c. a gender bias or stereotype for women
diagnosed with depression. 3. c. is more precise than correlation methods.

4. d. all the answers. 4. d. is more subjective.

__________ may affect the results in the assessment A(n) ____________ is a technique for determining the
of personality. effect of one or more variables on behavior.
1. a. experiment
1. a. Maturation
2. b. case study
2. c. Living conditions
3. c. projective test
3. b. Culture
4. d. clinical observation
4. d. Poverty
The _________ variable is manipulated, while the 2. False
___________ variable is the measure itself.
Freud is known as the founder of psychoanalysis.
1. a. independent/dependent
1. True
2. b. dependent/independent
2. False
3. c. experimental/independent
Ethnicity and culture are considered widely variable in
4. d. control/independent the study of personality.

Online or virtual research is advantageous because 1. True

1. a. there are objective and reliable sources 2. False

such as Wikipedia.
Reliability of assessment techniques is intended to
2. b. users tend to be older and more proficient measure a certain test and its scores.
with this kind of research.
1. True
3. c. users are younger and more proficient
with this kind of research. 2. False

4. d. results of online research show a The MMPI is considered a projective measure of

significant improvement over other research assessment.
methods.
1. True
The correlational method of research compares
2. False
1. a. the relationship between multiple
variables.
The MMPI is not appropriate for people with limited
reading skills.
2. b. the relationship between children,
adolescents and adults.
1. True

3. c. the relationship between several cultures

2. False
and ethnic populations.

A test-taker tends to make himself appear

4. d. the relationship between two variables.
unacceptable on a self-report inventory.

The primary limitation for the correlation method is

1. True

1. a. multiple regression.
2. False

2. b. using statistical analysis.

Self-report inventories remain the most objective
approach to personality assessment.
3. c. determining cause and effect.
1. True
4. d. analyzing the variable.
2. False
John Watson formed the movement called
existentialism.
Online testing is less expensive and less
timeconsuming than conventional classroom tests.
1. True
 1. True

2. False

There is a significant difference in scores between

online tests and paper-and-pencil tests.

1. True

2. False

Projective tests are totally accurate and objective in

their ability to describe personality.

1. True

2. False

Projective tests have low reliability and low validity,

but are widely used anyway.

1. True

2. False

The Rorschach Inkblot tests can be widely used for

ethnic minorities rather than the MMPI.

1. True

2. False

Clinical interviews and behavioral assessments are

routinely done for assessment of personality.
 1.
True 4. d. all of the above

2. False One reason people use the term personality is to

convey:
Men are more often diagnosed with depression than
are women. 1. a. that no other person will behave in the
same manner as another.
1. True
2. b. that a person’s actions in a situation are
2. False determined by genetics.

Test Bank for Perspectives on Personality 7th Edition 3. c. that a causal force within a person is
by Carver influencing their behavior.

When laypersons use the term personality, they 4. d. none of the above
generally refer to _________, whereas when
personality psychologists use the term, they generally The personality concept helps us to:
refer to _________.
1. a. understand the behavior of others.
1. a. generic ideas about things everyone has
in common; specific traits of particular 2. b. predict how people will behave in certain
people situations.

2. b. specific traits of particular people; 3. c. understand our own behavior.

concrete concepts about personality
4. d. all of the above The term personality
3. c. concrete concepts about personality;
specific traits of particular people
describes a sense of:

4. d. specific traits of particular people;

abstract concepts about personality 1. a. personal distinctiveness.

The term personality conveys a sense of _________ 2. b. internal conflict.

about an individual’s qualities.
3. c. morality.
1. a. diversity
4. d. all of the above
2. b. consistency
Which of the following did Allport say about
3. c. complexity personality?

4. d. inevitability 1. a. It's simply an accumulation of bits and

pieces.

In the study of personality, consistency involves

looking for continuity across: 2. b. It is not inextricably tied to the physical
body.
1. a. time.
3. c. It is a causal force that determines
behavior.
2. b. similar situations.
4. d. It is generally displayed in just one way.
3. c. situations that are relatively different from
each other.
 2.
Allport's definition of personality includes all of the 2. b. set of ideas that are not supported by
following points EXCEPT the idea that personality: scientific data.

1. a. has organization. 3. c. summary statement about events.

b. is a causal force. 4. d. layperson’s speculation about a

phenomenon.
3. c. shows up in patterns.
The two basic functions of theories are to:
4. d. is a purely psychological concept.
1. a. explain and modify behavior.
No two personalities are exactly alike. This is
captured by the notion of: 2. b. describe and modify behavior.

1. a. genetic differences. 3. c. describe and explain behavior.

2. b. differences in socialization. 4. d. explain and predict behavior.

3. c. individual differences. A good personality theory should be:

4. d. none of the above 1. a. abstract.

Intrapersonal functioning describes: 2. b. testable.

1. a. the dynamic organization of systems 3. c. correct.

within the person.
4. d. all of the above
2. b. the interactions between individuals within
society. The broader a theory is:

3. c. individual differences in behavior. 1. a. the more likely it is to be ambiguous.

4. d. the degree of consistency of an 2. b. the more likely it is to be correct.

individual's behavior across settings.
3. c. the more likely it is to make clear
The idea that our behavior at a given time stems from predictions.
the motives we hold at that time emphasizes the
concept of:
4. d. the more likely it is to deny scientific facts.

1. a. individual differences.
In characterizing Freud's ideas about testability, it is
most accurate to say that he:
2. b. internal consistency.
1. a. insisted that his theoretical ideas be
3. c. intrapersonal functioning. supported by research.

4. d. personal distinctiveness. 2. b. preferred that his theoretical ideas be

supported by research but recognized that
A theory is a: some of them were untestable.

1. a. scientifically proven set of facts. 3. c. was not interested in whether or not

his theoretical ideas were supported by
research.
 3.
4. d. none of the above 3. c. active needs.

Which of the following is NOT a legitimate criticism of 4. d. all of the above

a psychological theory?
1. a. It is too parsimonious. According to the trait perspective, _________ is a
major focus.
2. b. It is based on laboratory animals in
artificial settings. 1. a. what traits are most important

c. It is based on the theorists’ experiences 2. b. how many traits are important

conducting therapy.
3. c. how trait differences are expressed in
4. d. It does not stimulate enthusiasm. behavior

Which of the following criteria should a good theory 4. d. all of the above
fit?
1. a. It should be parsimonious.
Test Bank for Perspectives on Personality 7th Edition
by Carver
2. b. It should “feel” right.
The motive perspective on personality suggests that:
3. c. It should be testable.
1. a. motives are the sole determinant of
4. d. all of the above behavior.

A theory is parsimonious if it: 2. b. motives wax and wane in different

contexts.
1. a. can predict behavior accurately.
3. c. motives are not deeply embedded in the
2. b. contains few assumptions. person.

3. c. is testable. 4. d. motives are exclusively genetic.

4. d. is able to stimulate research. The inheritance and evolution perspective:

The best theories are characterized by: 1. a. is the only biological perspective on
personality.
1. a. parsimony.
2. b. could suggest that aspects of
2. b. substantial research support. personality exist because they were
adaptive millennia ago.
3. c. intuitive appeal.
3. c. emphasizes how a parent’s social
experiences will influence his or her child’s
4. d. all of the above
personality.

According to William James, people prefer theories

4. d. all of the above
that fit their:

According to the biological process perspective:

1. a. aesthetic needs.

1. a. personality is purely genetic.

2. b. emotional needs.
 4.
2. b. all nervous systems function the same
way.

3. c. nervous system processes, but not

hormonal processes, influence personality.

4. d. both nervous system and hormonal

processes influence personality.

The view that human nature incorporates a set of

internal pressures that compete and conflict with
each other reflects the:

1. a. trait perspective.
 2. b. dispositional perspective. 4. d. all of the above

3. c. psychosocial perspective. Which of the following is an assumption of the

selfregulation perspective?
4. d. learning perspective.
1. a. People are complex.
Which of the following perspectives is most closely
aligned with the psychoanalytic perspective? 2. b. Personality is organized.

1. a. the meta-theoretical perspective 3. c. People synthesize and move toward

goals.
2. b. the dispositional perspective
4. d. all of the above
3. c. the phenomenological
perspective Newer theories in personality psychology tend to
_________ than older theories.
4. d. the psychosocial perspective
1. a. explain more aspects of personality
The social learning perspective emphasizes:
2. b. explain fewer aspects of personality
1. a. constancy in personality.
3. c. rely more on case studies
2. b. change in personality.
4. d. be less parsimonious
3. c. school and peer influences on personality,
but not family influences. Accurate assessment of personality is necessary:

4. d. parental influences but not peer 1. a. to conduct valid research on

influences. personality.

According to the organismic perspective on 2. b. for making smart hiring decisions.

personality:
3. c. for treating mental illness.
1. a. sex drive has a primary influence on
personality. 4. d. all of the above.

2. b. people do not have free will. When we describe personality, we reduce a large
amount of information to a smaller set.
3. c. every person has the potential to grow
into a person of value. 1. True

4. d. environment is less important than 2. False

biology.
Psychologists typically use the term personality to
The cognitive perspective suggests that: refer to specific characteristics of specific persons.

1. a. mental organization influences how 1. True

people think but not how they behave.
2. False
2. b. human nature involves deriving
meaning from experiences.
When psychologists use the term personality they are
likely referring to an abstraction.
3. c. personality does not exist.
 1. True Test Bank for Perspectives on Personality 7th Edition
by Carver
2. False
Two core themes in personality psychology are
Personality psychologists generally agree on a single individual differences and social functioning.
definition of personality.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
The concept of intrapersonal functioning describes
One reason to use the term personality is to the dynamic processes that occur within the
communicate continuity in personal qualities. individual.

1. True 1. True

2. False 2. False

Personality refers to consistency across similar Although they differ in other ways, all personality
situations but not consistency across very different theories give equal emphasis to individual differences
situations. and intrapersonal functioning.

1. True 1. True

2. False 2. False

One reason to use the term personality is to suggest Theories must explain complex phenomena more
that a person's behavior is caused by internal forces. complex than, for example, the behavior of individual
nerve cells.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
The term personality suggests that a few
characteristics can summarize what a person is like. A good theory needs to generate novel predictions.

1. True 1. True

2. False 2. False

According to Allport, personality has little to do with Because personality is a broad construct, personality
the physical body. theories must be broad and complex.

1. True 1. True

2. False 2. False

Identical twins have identical personalities, even if The explanatory aspect of personality theories is
they try to conceal this. more subtle than the predictive aspect.

1. True 1. True

2. False 2. False
The fewer things a theory has to account for, the The trait perspective suggests human nature is a set
more likely it is to be ambiguous. of relatively permanent qualities embedded in a
person.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
A theory is sufficient if it provides an explanation for
known facts; it need not allow you to make new The motive perspective on personality argues that
predictions. motivations are constant across contexts.

1. True 1. True

2. False 2. False

Most personality theories have some ambiguity, The inheritance and evolution perspective argues that
making it unclear exactly what their predictions many aspects of personality exist because they were
should be. adaptive for humans that existed millennia ago.

1. True 1. True

2. False 2. False

Theories should be open to the possibility of being According to the biological processes perspective,
disconfirmed as well as to the possibility of being nervous-system functioning is important in
supported. determining personality, but hormonal functioning is
not, because hormone levels fluctuate so rapidly.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
Results from psychological research often fail to fully
support predictions. Sigmund Freud is most closely associated with the
biological process perspective.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
Good theories should contain as many theories as
possible. The psychosocial perspective is historically linked to
the psychoanalytic perspective.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
Personality psychologists only use objective
information when evaluating theories. The social learning perspective on personality
emphasizes constancy rather than change.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False
The belief that people tend naturally toward Each theoretical perspective suggests different things
selfperfection is one of the roots of the self- about normal behavior, but similar things about
actualization perspective. abnormal behavior.

1. True 1. True

2. False 2. False

The cognitive perspective on personality focuses on Each theoretical perspective suggests different ways
the notion that self-actualization is a fundamental part to promote behavior change.
of human nature.
1. True
1. True
2. False
2. False

Each perspective on personality generally begins with

a different conception of human nature.

1. True

2. False

Newer personality theories tend to be aimed at all

aspects of personality whereas older theories tended
to focus on more specific aspects of personality.

1. True

2. False

If a particular theory does not cover the entire domain

of personality, it is not a valuable contribution to the
field.

1. True

2. False

Assessment techniques often differ from one

theoretical approach to another.

1. True

2. False

Assessment techniques are an important part of

applied psychology.

1. True

2. False