Question 1

Define the term theory and identify a theory's two basic purposes or functions.

Accepted Answer

A theory is a type of summary statement,

Question 2

Although they differ in other ways, all personality theories give equal emphasis to individual differences and intrapersonal functioning.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Theories must explain complex phenomena more complex than, for example, the behavior of individual nerve cells.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

A theory is parsimonious if it:

Accepted Answer

A)  can predict behavior accurately. 
B)  contains few assumptions. 
C)  is testable. 
D)  is able to stimulate research. 
A)  can predict behavior accurately. 
B)  contains few assumptions. 
C)  is testable. 
D)  is able to stimulate research.

Question 5

Because personality is a broad construct, personality theories must be broad and complex.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Each theoretical perspective suggests different things about normal behavior, but similar things about abnormal behavior.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Name four of the broad perspectives and describe the fundamental assumption of each.

Accepted Answer

Trait perspective - People have relative

Question 8

The best theories are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

A)  parsimony. 
B)  substantial research support. 
C)  intuitive appeal. 
D)  all of the above 
A)  parsimony. 
B)  substantial research support. 
C)  intuitive appeal. 
D)  all of the above

Question 9

Assessment techniques often differ from one theoretical approach to another

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

According to the biological process perspective:

Accepted Answer

A)  personality is purely genetic. 
B)  all nervous systems function the same way. 
C)  nervous system processes, but not hormonal processes, influence personality. 
D)  both nervous system and hormonal processes influence personality. 
A)  personality is purely genetic. 
B)  all nervous systems function the same way. 
C)  nervous system processes, but not hormonal processes, influence personality. 
D)  both nervous system and hormonal processes influence personality.

Question 11

Intrapersonal functioning describes:

Accepted Answer

A)  the dynamic organization of systems within the person. 
B)  the interactions between individuals within society. 
C)  individual differences in behavior. 
D)  the degree of consistency of an individual's behavior across settings. 
A)  the dynamic organization of systems within the person. 
B)  the interactions between individuals within society. 
C)  individual differences in behavior. 
D)  the degree of consistency of an individual's behavior across settings.

Question 12

The term personality suggests that a few characteristics can summarize what a person is like.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

One reason to use the term personality is to suggest that a person's behavior is caused by internal forces.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

When laypersons use the term personality, they generally refer to __________, whereas when personality psychologists use the term, they generally refer to ___________.

Accepted Answer

A)  generic ideas about things everyone has in common; specific traits of particular people 
B)  specific traits of particular people; concrete concepts about personality 
C)  concrete concepts about personality; specific traits of particular people 
D)  specific traits of particular people; abstract concepts about personality 
A)  generic ideas about things everyone has in common; specific traits of particular people 
B)  specific traits of particular people; concrete concepts about personality 
C)  concrete concepts about personality; specific traits of particular people 
D)  specific traits of particular people; abstract concepts about personality

Question 15

A theory is a:

Accepted Answer

A)  scientifically proven set of facts. 
B)  set of ideas that are not supported by scientific data. 
C)  summary statement about events. 
D)  layperson's speculation about a phenomenon. 
A)  scientifically proven set of facts. 
B)  set of ideas that are not supported by scientific data. 
C)  summary statement about events. 
D)  layperson's speculation about a phenomenon.

Question 16

The view that human nature incorporates a set of internal pressures that compete and conflict with each other reflects the:

Accepted Answer

A)  trait perspective. 
B)  dispositional perspective. 
C)  psychosocial perspective. 
D)  learning perspective. 
A)  trait perspective. 
B)  dispositional perspective. 
C)  psychosocial perspective. 
D)  learning perspective.

Question 17

The broader a theory is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the more likely it is to be ambiguous. 
B)  the more likely it is to be correct. 
C)  the more likely it is to make clear predictions. 
D)  the more likely it is to deny scientific facts. 
A)  the more likely it is to be ambiguous. 
B)  the more likely it is to be correct. 
C)  the more likely it is to make clear predictions. 
D)  the more likely it is to deny scientific facts.

Question 18

According to the trait perspective,__________ is a major focus.

Accepted Answer

A)  what traits are most important 
B)  how many traits are important 
C)  how trait differences are expressed in behavior 
D)  all of the above 
A)  what traits are most important 
B)  how many traits are important 
C)  how trait differences are expressed in behavior 
D)  all of the above

Question 19

Which of the following is an assumption of the self-regulation perspective?

Accepted Answer

A)  People are complex. 
B)  Personality is organized. 
C)  People synthesize and move toward goals. 
D)  all of the above 
A)  People are complex. 
B)  Personality is organized. 
C)  People synthesize and move toward goals. 
D)  all of the above

Question 20

Allport's definition of personality emphasizes several elements. Identify three of the Ideas it contains.

Accepted Answer

Personality has organization; it is not

Define the term theory and identify a theory's two basic purposes or functions.

Although they differ in other ways, all personality theories give equal emphasis to individual differences and intrapersonal functioning.

Theories must explain complex phenomena more complex than, for example, the behavior of individual nerve cells.

A theory is parsimonious if it:

Because personality is a broad construct, personality theories must be broad and complex.

Each theoretical perspective suggests different things about normal behavior, but similar things about abnormal behavior.

Name four of the broad perspectives and describe the fundamental assumption of each.

The best theories are characterized by:

Assessment techniques often differ from one theoretical approach to another

According to the biological process perspective:

Intrapersonal functioning describes:

The term personality suggests that a few characteristics can summarize what a person is like.

One reason to use the term personality is to suggest that a person's behavior is caused by internal forces.

When laypersons use the term personality, they generally refer to , whereas when personality psychologists use the term, they generally refer to _.

A theory is a:

The view that human nature incorporates a set of internal pressures that compete and conflict with each other reflects the:

The broader a theory is:

According to the trait perspective,__________ is a major focus.

Which of the following is an assumption of the self-regulation perspective?

Allport's definition of personality emphasizes several elements. Identify three of the Ideas it contains.

Methods in the Study of Personality

Issues in Personality Assessment

The Trait Perspective

The Motive Perspective

Genetics, Evolution, and Personality

Biological Processes and Personality

The Psychoanalytic Perspective

Psychosocial Theories

The Learning Perspective

Self-Actualization and Self-Determination

The Cognitive Perspective

The Self-Regulation Perspective

Personality in Perspective: Overlap and Integration

Filters

Exam 1: What Is Personality Psychology

Define the term theory and identify a theory's two basic purposes or functions.

Although they differ in other ways, all personality theories give equal emphasis to individual differences and intrapersonal functioning.

Theories must explain complex phenomena more complex than, for example, the behavior of individual nerve cells.

A theory is parsimonious if it:

Because personality is a broad construct, personality theories must be broad and complex.

Each theoretical perspective suggests different things about normal behavior, but similar things about abnormal behavior.

Name four of the broad perspectives and describe the fundamental assumption of each.

The best theories are characterized by:

Assessment techniques often differ from one theoretical approach to another

According to the biological process perspective:

Intrapersonal functioning describes:

The term personality suggests that a few characteristics can summarize what a person is like.

One reason to use the term personality is to suggest that a person's behavior is caused by internal forces.

When laypersons use the term personality, they generally refer to __________, whereas when personality psychologists use the term, they generally refer to ___________.

A theory is a:

The view that human nature incorporates a set of internal pressures that compete and conflict with each other reflects the:

The broader a theory is:

According to the trait perspective,__________ is a major focus.

Which of the following is an assumption of the self-regulation perspective?

Allport's definition of personality emphasizes several elements. Identify three of the Ideas it contains.

Methods in the Study of Personality

Issues in Personality Assessment

The Trait Perspective

The Motive Perspective

Genetics, Evolution, and Personality

Biological Processes and Personality

The Psychoanalytic Perspective

Psychosocial Theories

The Learning Perspective

Self-Actualization and Self-Determination

The Cognitive Perspective

The Self-Regulation Perspective

Personality in Perspective: Overlap and Integration

Filters

When laypersons use the term personality, they generally refer to , whereas when personality psychologists use the term, they generally refer to _.