Question 1

Although it is difficult to determine precisely how much of personality is determined by genetics, the results of twin studies suggest that genetics probably accounts for about _______ percent of the variance of adult personality.

Accepted Answer

A)  85 
B)  60 
C)  40 
D)  5

Question 2

Critics have pointed to several weaknesses in the research used to make a case for the role of genetics on personality development. Their criticisms include each of the following points except one. Which one?

Accepted Answer

A)  Dizygotic twins may share an environment more alike than the environment shared by monozygotic twins. 
B)  Families who adopt children are different from those who do not adopt. 
C)  Parents may treat adopted children differently than they treat biological children. 
D)  Parents of dizygotic twins may look for and emphasize the differences between the twins more than parents of monozygotic twins.

Question 3

Discuss the rationale behind the twin-study method and adoption studies of genetic influence. Give the general findings regarding the contribution of genetic influences on personality. Discuss any problems associated with each of these methods of research.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the rationale behind the twin-study method...

Question 4

Research on the genetic heritability of extraversion-introversion has made use of

Accepted Answer

A)  brain electrical activity measures. 
B)  the twin-study method. 
C)  differences in sensitivity to stimulation. 
D)  only twins that have been reared together (in the same environment).

Question 5

One problem with adoption studies is that the homes in which twins are placed

Accepted Answer

A)  are so very different that comparisons cannot be made. 
B)  are often very similar because adoptive families are similar in important ways. 
C)  are highly specialized for adoptive parenting. 
D)  allow the same genetic influences to emerge.

Question 6

The "lipstick effect" refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the application of more lipstick at different times during the ovulatory cycle. 
B)  how cosmetic marketing often heightens insecurity about one's appearance. 
C)  the tendency for women to spend more money on cosmetics during bad economic times. 
D)  men who pay more attention to superficial beauty.

Question 7

Research on genetic determinants of personality tell us that

Accepted Answer

A)  personality is fixed at birth. 
B)  most, but not all, of adult personality is determined by genetics. 
C)  a significant percentage of adult personality is determined by genetics, but experience also plays a large role. 
D)  except for a few traits, there is very little genetic influence on personality.

Question 8

Suppose you design a personality study in which you plan to use the twin-study method. You are probably conducting research to examine the

Accepted Answer

A)  influence of siblings on personality. 
B)  stability of temperament over time. 
C)  influence of genetics on personality. 
D)  effects of birth order on personality.

Question 9

A researcher using the twin-study method finds an average correlation of .50 between monozygotic twins' scores on a measure of self?esteem. The researcher finds an average correlation of .30 between dizygotic twins' scores on this measure. The difference between the size of the correlations is statistically significant. What conclusion might the researcher draw from these results?

Accepted Answer

A)  Genetics has more of an influence on self-esteem than environment has. 
B)  There is evidence for a genetic influence on self-esteem. 
C)  There is no evidence for a genetic influence on self-esteem. 
D)  The results are opposite of what would be expected if there were a genetic influence on self-esteem.

Question 10

A researcher reports that men in this country tend to marry younger women and women tend to marry older men. This finding might be used to support which theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Eysenck's theory of personality 
B)  The five-factor model 
C)  The goodness of fit model 
D)  Evolutionary personality theory

Question 11

The twin-study method is used by researchers to get around which methodological problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  Biased samples 
B)  A confound between genetic and environmental influences 
C)  Questions about generalizability 
D)  Validity of measures

Question 12

Research has found that extraverts are not always happier than introverts. Why not?

Accepted Answer

A)  Extraverts are more likely to be impulsive. 
B)  Extraverts are more likely to be socially active. 
C)  Introverts do not involve themselves in activities that increase feelings of competence and worth. 
D)  Extraverts are more sensitive to positive feedback.

Question 13

A psychologist conducts research using the twin-study method. He administers a need for Achievement scale to sets of monozygotic and dizygotic twins and finds a correlation of .50 between the scores for pairs of monozygotic twins. If this study is to demonstrate evidence for a genetic influence on need for Achievement, what would we expect the correlation to be between scores for pairs of dizygotic twins?

Accepted Answer

A)  Higher than .50 
B)  Lower than .50 
C)  Very close to .50 
D)  There is no way to demonstrate a genetic influence with these data.

Question 14

Discuss the difference in preference for arousal between extraverts and introverts. Give two ways in which sensitivity to stimulation translates into behavior. What research evidence has been offered for the heritability of the extraversion?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the difference in preference for arousal...

Question 15

Which of the following is true about parental investment?

Accepted Answer

A)  Males are more selective about with whom they choose to mate than females. 
B)  Males of many species are free to mate with as many females as they can. 
C)  Investment in selecting a mate is larger for males than for females. 
D)  Males select mates who are more likely to be good parents.

Question 16

In one study introverts found themselves ________ mood when the experimenter instructed them to act more extraverted.

Accepted Answer

A)  in the same 
B)  in a better 
C)  in a sour 
D)  more sad in

Question 17

Each person born an introvert will develop a lower sensitivity to stimulation than those born extraverts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Which assumption is made by researchers using the twin-study method?

Accepted Answer

A)  Dizygotic twins share an environment that is more similar than the environment shared by monozygotic twins. 
B)  Monozygotic twins share an environment that is more similar than the environment shared by dizygotic twins. 
C)  Dizygotic twins share an environment that is just as similar as the environment shared by monozygotic twins. 
D)  Monozygotic twins will be treated more alike than dizygotic twins.

Question 19

Extraversion has one of the strongest genetic components of any personality variable.

Accepted Answer