Trait Theories: Uncover the Building Blocks of Personality

Question 1

According to trait theories, personality is primarily characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Stable and enduring characteristics that influence behavior.

Answer

Unique and idiosyncratic qualities.

Answer

Situational and environmental factors.

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Unpredictable and fluctuating patterns.

Question 2

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) exemplifies a:

Accepted Answer

Trait-based personality questionnaire

Answer

Projective personality test

Answer

Behavioral observation assessment

Answer

Interview-based personality evaluation

Question 3

Extraversion is typically characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Talkative and social

Answer

Reserved and shy

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Calm and emotionally stable

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Disorganized and impulsive

Question 4

Who developed the Five-Factor Model (FFM)?

Accepted Answer

Costa and McCrae

Answer

Raymond Cattell

Answer

Hans Eysenck

Answer

Gordon Allport

Question 5

What distinguishes a type trait from a state trait?

Accepted Answer

Type traits are enduring, while state traits are temporary.

Answer

State traits are enduring, while type traits are temporary.

Answer

Type traits are broad, while state traits are specific.

Answer

State traits are broad, while type traits are specific.

Question 6

In clinical psychology, trait theories are most commonly applied in the context of:

Accepted Answer

Personality disorders diagnosis

Answer

Personnel selection

Answer

Forensic assessment

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Educational planning

Question 7

What is the primary role of lexemes in trait theories?

Accepted Answer

Lexemes are words used to describe personality traits.

Answer

Lexemes are statistical techniques used to analyze trait data.

Answer

Lexemes are hypothetical constructs that represent personality dimensions.

Answer

Lexemes are not used in trait theories.

Question 8

How do situational factors interact with traits to shape an individual's behavior?

Accepted Answer

Situational factors can amplify or weaken the expression of traits.

Answer

Situational factors have no influence on the manifestation of traits.

Answer

Situational factors always override the influence of traits on behavior.

Answer

Traits are completely unaffected by situational factors.

Question 9

Which fundamental assumption underpins trait theories of personality?

Accepted Answer

Personality traits remain consistent across time and situations.

Answer

Biological factors alone determine personality.

Answer

Personality can be encapsulated by a single dominant trait.

Answer

Environmental influences exclusively shape personality.

Question 10

The Big Five personality model comprises which five fundamental traits?

Accepted Answer

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism

Answer

Introversion, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Openness, Conscientiousness

Answer

Neuroticism, Openness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Stability

Answer

Conscientiousness, Stability, Extroversion, Introversion, Agreeableness

Question 11

Which trait is characterized by a tendency toward organization, punctuality, and achievement orientation?

Accepted Answer

Conscientiousness

Answer

Openness to Experience

Answer

Extraversion

Answer

Agreeableness

Question 12

Which research method is frequently employed to investigate personality traits?

Accepted Answer

Factor analysis

Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Observational study

Answer

Case study

Question 13

How well do trait theories developed in one culture apply to other cultures?

Accepted Answer

Trait theories may apply to some cultures but not others, depending on factors such as cultural values and socialization practices.

Answer

Trait theories are universally applicable, applying equally to all cultures.

Answer

Trait theories are not applicable across cultures, as personality is solely determined by cultural factors.

Answer

Trait theories have not been tested across cultures, so their applicability remains unknown.

Question 14

How do trait theories contribute to research in fields outside of psychology, such as genetics and social psychology?

Accepted Answer

Trait theories provide a framework for understanding the genetic influences on personality.

Accepted Answer

Trait theories offer insights into how personality traits shape social interactions.

Answer

Trait theories enable researchers to create highly accurate personality profiles.

Answer

Trait theories provide a universal language for describing personality across cultures.

Question 15

How do genetic factors influence the formation of personality traits?

Accepted Answer

Genes provide a foundation for potential trait development, which is then influenced by environmental factors.

Answer

Genes solely determine specific personality traits.

Answer

Genetic inheritance has no impact on personality development.

Question 16

How do sociocultural factors and life experiences shape the formation and expression of personality traits throughout an individual's life?

Accepted Answer

They influence both trait formation and expression.

Answer

They have no impact.

Answer

They influence trait formation but not expression.

Answer

They influence trait expression but not formation.

Question 17

Who is widely recognized as the pioneer in psychology known as the father of trait psychology?

Accepted Answer

Raymond Cattell

Answer

Carl Rogers

Answer

Sigmund Freud

Answer

Hans Eysenck

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of trait theories of personality?

Accepted Answer

Behavior is easily changeable

Answer

Traits are inferred from observations of behavior

Answer

Traits can be measured using standardized assessments

Answer

Traits are relatively stable over time

Question 19

The Big Five personality traits are:

Accepted Answer

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism

Answer

Introversion, Emotional Stability, Dominance, Sociability, Impulsivity

Answer

Optimism, Self-esteem, Creativity, Trust, Responsibility

Question 20

Which of the following is an advantage of trait theories?

Accepted Answer

They provide a convenient and structured way to describe and categorize people's personalities

Answer

They can accurately predict future behavior in all situations

Answer

They are not influenced by cultural or environmental factors

Question 21

According to Cattell's factor analysis, the underlying personality traits that form the foundation of personality are known as:

Accepted Answer

Source traits

Answer

Cardinal traits

Answer

Surface traits

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Secondary traits

Question 22

Eysenck's PEN model of personality includes the following dimensions:

Accepted Answer

Psychoticism, Extraversion, Neuroticism

Answer

Assertiveness, Optimism, Trustworthiness

Answer

Introversion, Emotional Stability, Impulsivity

Answer

Openness, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness

Question 23

Which of the following is a criticism of trait theories?

Accepted Answer

They may oversimplify the complexity of human personality and fail to capture the dynamic and contextual nature of behavior

Answer

They are always accurate in predicting behavior

Answer

They are easily applied in practical settings

Question 24

Studies have found that trait theories are more likely to predict behavior in:

Accepted Answer

Stable and predictable situations where external factors are less likely to influence behavior

Answer

Social interactions with close friends and family, where emotional factors play a significant role

Answer

Situations involving strong emotional arousal, where impulsive reactions may override trait-based tendencies

Answer

Highly dynamic and rapidly changing environments, where adaptability and flexibility are crucial

Question 25

Which of the following is an example of a personality trait?

Accepted Answer

Introversion

Answer

Playing the piano, which is a learned skill

Answer

Fear of spiders, which is a specific phobia

Answer

Winning an award, which is a specific achievement

Question 26

Which of the following is a key assumption of trait theories?

Accepted Answer

Personality, as a collection of traits, is relatively stable across time and situations, reflecting enduring patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior

Answer

Personality can be easily changed through therapy or other interventions, rendering trait theories irrelevant

Answer

Personality is completely determined by genetics, with no influence from environmental factors