Personality Psychology Overview

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Questions and Answers

Personality reflects shared human tendencies, but how are these tendencies typically conceptualized?

as core traits that are exhibited to the same degree across people

as evolved tendencies that, over time, have resulted in people being very similar

as internal workings of human nature that cannot be measured

as individual differences that vary from person to person (correct)

What limitation applies to most theoretical systems of personality?

It has been difficult to identify a core set of personality dimensions.

Personality has proven to be impossible to measure.

No personality system can capture all the unique differences among people. (correct)

Personality is, by definition, an unconscious process.

Which example represents the assessment and measurement root of personality psychology?

administering a test of extraversion to a large group of people (correct)

proposing a set number of traits that define the entirety of personality

developing a personality theory based on people's unconscious impulses

drawing conclusions about personality dimensions based on works of fiction by great authors

What is a significant limitation of self-report measures of personality?

They are limited to the person's own self-assessment. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Tanya loves to complete questionnaires that she finds online and in magazines. "It's fun and easy!" Tanya exclaims. "I circle 'strongly agree' for every item to show how much I appreciate the test makers' time and effort and to let them know I'm helping them with their research!" What questionnaire-taking style is Tanya demonstrating?

an acquiescence response set (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement r = .12 mean?

There is a small positive correlation between the two variables under consideration. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Cronbach's alpha reveal to a researcher?

the extent to which a questionnaire has internal reliability (D) Signup and view all the answers

When a scale is related to a concrete outcome or other behaviour, it is said to demonstrate

predictive validity (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following situations is extremely unlikely?

A valid test is unreliable. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which Big Five personality dimension has the highest number of adjectives or trait terms associated with it?

extraversion (B) Signup and view all the answers

On a personality test, Simine rates herself low on manipulativeness and boastfulness and high on honesty and sympathy. Which Big Five dimension is Amber endorsing?

agreeableness (B) Signup and view all the answers

Are the Big Five dimensions a comprehensive system of personality?

No; there are many other important ways that people differ from one another. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How should the Big Five personality traits be conceptualized?

as a set of continuums that people fall on somewhere (A) Signup and view all the answers

Cali and Cari are identical twins. Their parents want to make sure they have a chance to develop their own individual personalities, so they enroll Cali in soccer and Cari in dance. This is a reflection of the twins'

nonshared environment (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main influences considered by researchers who study the origins of personality?

nonshared environment, shared environment, and genetics (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase "percentage of variance" tell a researcher?

the amount of variation among a group of people (C) Signup and view all the answers

In one epigenetic study, mice experienced a stressful environment as newborns when they were separated from their mothers. What happened to these mice?

The mice became socially anxious, as did their offspring. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Laurel has sustained damage to the frontal lobes of her brain. She is most apt to experience

impaired self-control (D) Signup and view all the answers

Armando has low levels of conscientiousness and high levels of impulsivity, as measured by a reliable and valid personality questionnaire. Which area of Armando's brain is likely to show greater activity when he acts impulsively?

ventral striatum (B) Signup and view all the answers

Some researchers have found a relationship between conscientiousness and _____.

high levels of serotonin (B) Signup and view all the answers

Night owls are considered to be more _____ than early birds.

open to new ideas (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Personality and Assessment

Personality reflects individual differences, evolving over time, varying from person to person.
Major personality systems face limitations in capturing all unique differences.
Self-report measures are constrained by individual self-assessment and potential response biases.

Correlation and Reliability

A correlation of r = .12 indicates a small positive correlation between variables.
Cronbach's alpha measures internal reliability of questionnaires.
Predictive validity refers to how well a scale correlates with a concrete outcome.

Big Five Personality Traits

Conscientiousness is a dimension of personality linked to a high number of trait adjectives.
Impulsivity is often inversely associated with conscientiousness, impacting relevant brain areas.
Openness to new ideas is a trait that separates night owls from early birds.

Environmental Influences

Shared and nonshared environments significantly influence personality development.
Epigenetic studies (e.g., mice exposed to stressful environments) show how experiences can affect offspring.

Brain Structures and Personality

The ventral striatum influences impulsive actions.
Neurotransmitter levels (e.g., serotonin) have relationships with certain personality traits.
Damage to frontal lobes can lead to impaired self-control.

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Description

Explore key concepts in personality assessment, including major personality systems and their limitations. This quiz delves into the Big Five personality traits and the influences of environment on individual differences. Test your understanding of correlation, reliability, and the dynamics that shape personality.