Question 1

Which of the following best describes the 'Barnum effect' as it relates to personality tests?

Accepted Answer

The tendency for people to accept vague, general personality descriptions as uniquely applicable to themselves.

Question 2

According to the Five Factor Model (OCEAN), which trait is most strongly associated with being imaginative, creative, and curious?

Accepted Answer

Openness to experience

Question 3

A person who is organized, careful, and disciplined would likely score high on which Big Five trait?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of high neuroticism?

Accepted Answer

Calm

Question 5

In the HEXACO model, what does the additional 'H' factor represent?

Accepted Answer

Honesty-Humility

Question 6

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'projection' as a defense mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Attributing your own unacceptable thoughts to someone else.

Question 7

According to Freud, which structure of the psyche operates on the 'reality principle'?

Accepted Answer

Ego

Question 8

A child who becomes fixated at the anal stage of psychosexual development may later display which of the following adult personality traits?

Accepted Answer

Excessive orderliness or messiness

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the 'arousal theory of extraversion'?

Accepted Answer

Extraversion is determined by an individual's threshold for arousal in the brain.

Question 10

In twin studies, which finding supports the genetic basis of personality traits?

Accepted Answer

Identical twins show higher correlations in Big Five traits than fraternal twins.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of 'sublimation' as a defense mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Channeling aggressive impulses into playing competitive sports.

Question 12

A person who is trusting, soft-hearted, and good-natured would likely score high on which Big Five trait?

Accepted Answer

Agreeableness

Question 13

Which defense mechanism involves providing a seemingly logical explanation for behavior that is actually driven by unconscious motives?

Accepted Answer

Rationalization

Question 14

According to the Five Factor Model, which trait is most associated with better health, longevity, and less risky behavior?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic of the 'authoritarian personality'?

Accepted Answer

Rigid, dogmatic, and 'Us' vs. 'Them' thinking

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the 'Dark Triad' of personality?

Accepted Answer

Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism

Question 17

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) in personality research involves which of the following steps?

Accepted Answer

Correlating DNA variants with personality inventory scores across many individuals.

Question 18

Which psychosexual stage is associated with the development of the Oedipus complex and castration anxiety?

Accepted Answer

Phallic stage

Question 19

According to Freud, which structure of the psyche is responsible for upholding moral standards and ideals?

Accepted Answer

Superego

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the behavioral activation system (BAS)?

Accepted Answer

A brain system that motivates approach behavior in response to rewards.

Personality: Traits, Biological Approaches, and Psychodynamic Theories

Study Guide - Practice Questions