Personality Open Book Practice Test
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____
1. Personality​ is best defined as an individual's
a. characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting.
b. most noticeable characteristics.
c. biologically inherited temperament.
d. hidden thoughts and emotions.
e. unconscious thoughts and feelings.
____
2. Freud believed that certain troubling symptoms could be traced to painful unconscious memories.
This led him to suspect that these symptoms resulted from
a. genetic defects.
b. an inferiority complex.
c. psychological processes.
d. an internal locus of control.
e. reciprocal determinism.
____
3. Free association is a method designed to
a. reduce anxiety.
b. explore the unconscious.
c. give priority to group goals.
d. show total acceptance of another person.
e. form close relationships between group members.
____
4. Freud believed that censored dream contents were
a. fixations.
b. free associations.
c. repressed.
d. traits.
e. defense mechanisms.
____
5. Freud believed that ________ were the “royal road to the unconscious.”
a. projective tests
b. dreams
c. erogenous zones
d. psychosexual stages
e. hypnotic trances
____
6. Freud suggested that in a healthy person the
a. id is stronger than the ego and superego.
b. ego is stronger than the id and superego.
c. superego is stronger than the id and ego.
d. superego and id are equally strong.
e. id, ego, and superego are equally strong.
____
7. When 16-year-old Hafez received a large inheritance from his grandfather, he was tempted to
purchase an expensive new car. He decided, instead, to deposit all the money into a savings account
for his college education. Hafez shows signs of a
a. weak superego.
b. weak id.
c. strong collective unconscious.
d. strong ego.
e. weak collective unconscious.
____
8. According to Freud, understanding how the id, ego, and superego interact is essential to grasping the
nature of
a. self-actualization.
b. the collective unconscious.
c. reciprocal determinism.
d. motivational conflict.
e. an inferiority complex.
____
9. According to Freud's theory, the ego
a. is the executive part of personality.
b. develops before the id.
c. operates on the pleasure principle.
d. is the major source of guilt feelings.
e. operates only on a conscious level.
____ 10. Some psychoanalysts in Freud's era believed that girls experienced unconscious sexual desires for
their father during the phallic stage. These feelings, they thought, reflected
a. self-actualization.
b. an Electra complex.
c. the spotlight effect.
d. unconditional positive regard.
e. latent content.
____ 11. Freud suggested that the superego develops through the process of
a. self-actualization.
b. fixation.
c. free association.
d. reciprocal determinism.
e. identification.
____ 12. Frank refuses to believe that he is addicted to drugs despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
He is most clearly demonstrating the defense mechanism of
a. displacement.
b. regression.
c. projection.
d. denial.
e. repression.
____ 13. Freud would have suggested that an excessive fixation is most likely to contribute to
a. reaction formation.
b. regression.
c. learned helplessness.
d. an Electra complex.
e. self-serving bias.
____ 14. Melissa is unconsciously fearful that her husband is a better cook than she. Recently, she refused his
offer to prepare dinner because, said she, “You could better spend the time playing with the kids.”
Melissa's comment best illustrates
a. regression.
b. projection.
c. rationalization.
d. displacement.
e. reaction formation.
____ 15. Unconsciously motivated by miserliness, Mr. Rioja refused to send his son money to buy the books
he needs for his college courses. In defending his actions, Mr. Rioja explained that “parental
financial aid prevents teenagers from developing into mature, independent adults.” Mr. Rioja's
explanation is an example of
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
fixation.
rationalization.
projection.
displacement.
reaction formation.
____ 16. Tim is a combat veteran of the Vietnam war. When asked, he says he never went to Vietnam. Tim's
psychoanalyst suspects that Tim may have been involved in a traumatic event during the war. Which
defense mechanism may Tim's unconscious mind be employing to protect him?
a. sublimation
b. reaction formation
c. rationalization
d. displacement
e. denial
____ 17. Hasina was an abused child; as an adult, she is homeless and squanders any money she can find on
alcohol. Alfred Adler would have suggested that Hasina suffers from
a. an Electra complex.
b. the spotlight effect.
c. an oral fixation.
d. feelings of inferiority.
e. the Barnum effect.
____ 18. Contemporary psychodynamic theorists assume that childhood experiences have long-term
consequences for our
a. Electra complex.
b. collective unconscious.
c. social attachment styles.
d. erogenous zones.
e. unconditional positive regard.
____ 19. Carl Jung emphasized the importance of ________ in personality functioning.
a. social interest
b. inferiority feelings
c. psychosexual stages
d. the collective unconscious
e. unconditional positive regard
____ 20. Mr. Dutoit was asked by his psychotherapist to look at some ambiguous pictures and make up a
story about each. Mr. Dutoit was most likely taking the
a. TAT.
b. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
c. MMPI.
d. Rorschach test.
e. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.
____ 21. Which of the following Freudian ideas is most consistent with contemporary psychological research
findings?
a. The conscience is largely formed in the process of resolving the Oedipus complex.
b. People generally protect themselves by projecting their own undesirable traits onto
others.
c. Most memory loss results from unconsciously motivated repression.
d. Conscious awareness of what goes on in our own minds is very limited.
e. Children mature through distinct psychosexual stages.
____ 22. Research participants came to anticipate the movements of a character on a computer screen even
though they were unable to identify the rule governing its movements. This best illustrates
a. unconscious implicit learning.
b. the “spotlight” effect.
c. projection.
d. repression.
e. reciprocal determinism.
____ 23. People who cheat on their taxes are especially likely to think many others do as well. This false
consensus effect is most similar to Freud's concept of
a. displacement.
b. reaction formation.
c. regression.
d. projection.
e. fixation.
____ 24. Which theory has been most severely criticized for offering after-the-fact explanations without
advancing testable predictions?
a. humanistic theory
b. trait theory
c. psychoanalytic theory
d. social-cognitive theory
e. terror-management theory
____ 25. The humanistic perspective emphasized the importance of
a. the self-reference phenomenon.
b. self-determination.
c. reciprocal determinism.
d. factor analysis.
e. free association.
____ 26. Carl Rogers believed that in order to be a fully-functioning individual, you must
a. have a strong ego.
b. possess an optimistic explanatory style.
c. challenge your feelings of inferiority.
d. receive unconditional positive regard.
e. perceive an internal locus of control.
____ 27. According to Carl Rogers, people nurture our growth by being genuine, accepting, and
a. conscientious.
b. consistent.
c. extraverted.
d. empathic.
e. sublimated.
____ 28. Carl Rogers referred to an attitude of total acceptance toward another person as
a. the spotlight effect.
b. unconditional positive regard.
c. self-actualization.
d. free association.
e. self-esteem needs.
____ 29. Carl Rogers suggested that when the ideal and real self are nearly alike, then
a. unconscious feelings of inferiority diminish.
b. the use of defense mechanisms is unnecessary.
c. the self-concept is positive.
d. the individual perceives an internal locus of control.
e. the person has high emotional stability.
____ 30. Which psychologists are most likely to criticize standardized personality tests for failing to capture
the unique subjective experience of the individual personality?
a. psychoanalytic theorists
b. trait theorists
c. social-cognitive theorists
d. humanistic theorists
e. terror-management theorists
____ 31. Humanistic psychologists would most likely be criticized for underestimating the value of
a. an internal locus of control.
b. self-serving bias.
c. social obligations.
d. the spotlight effect.
e. positive psychology.
____ 32. Which of the following would most likely be said by a critic of humanistic psychology?
a. “Humanism only provides after-the-fact explanations of any personality
b.
c.
d.
e.
characteristic.”
“Personality traits are not as enduring as humanists suggest.”
“Human behavior is not as predictable across different situations as humanists
contend.”
“Humanists focus too much on the situation and not enough on internal factors in
explaining behavior.”
“Humanistic concepts are too vague and subjective, making them difficult to
measure objectively.”
____ 33. Sigmund Freud is to the psychoanalytic perspective as Gordon Allport is to the ________
perspective.
a. behavioral
b. humanistic
c. trait
d. social-cognitive
e. self-concept
____ 34. Trait theorists are more concerned with ________ personality than with ________ it.
a. predicting; assessing
b. describing; explaining
c. changing; analyzing
d. interpreting; observing
e. enhancing; measuring
____ 35. Sigmund Freud explained personality in terms of unconscious motivations, whereas ________
described personality in terms of enduring traits.
a. Gordon Allport
b. Carl Rogers
c. Albert Bandura
d. Hermann Rorschach
e. Karen Horney
____ 36. Dr. Zytowics wants to assess the extent to which a client is suffering from depression, social
withdrawal, and other symptoms of an emotional disorder. Which personality inventory would be
most helpful for this purpose?
a. MMPI
b. Rorschach
c. TAT
d. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
e. locus of control test
____ 37. Which of the following is true of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory?
a. It is an empirically derived test.
b. It can be administered and scored only by a trained psychologist.
c. It is the most widely used projective test.
d. It was designed to assess the personality traits of normal, psychologically healthy
individuals.
e. It measures progress on the hierarchy of needs.
____ 38. Frida was informed by a professional palm reader: “You generally communicate openly with others,
but you have certain dark secrets that even your closest friends could never guess.” The fact that
Frida was impressed by the palm reader's insight into her personality best illustrates
a. the self-reference phenomenon.
b. the Barnum effect.
c. the spotlight effect.
d. an external locus of control.
e. unconditional positive regard.
____ 39. In convincing people that they can accurately assess their personalities, astrologers, palm readers,
and graphologists take advantage of
a. the spotlight effect.
b.
c.
d.
e.
the self-reference phenomenon.
the Barnum effect.
free association.
factor analysis.
____ 40. A highly anxious and insecure personality illustrates the Big Five trait dimension of
a. agreeableness.
b. openness.
c. extraversion.
d. neuroticism.
e. displacement.
____ 41. Walter Mischel's studies of college students' conscientiousness revealed only a modest relationship
between a student being conscientious on one occasion and being similarly conscientious on another
occasion. According to Mischel, this should make psychologists more cautious about emphasizing
the consistency of
a. repression.
b. self-efficacy.
c. personality traits.
d. reciprocal determinism.
e. unconditional positive regard.
____ 42. People's scores on personality tests often fail to predict their behavior in a real-life situation.
According to Walter Mischel, this should make us more cautious about emphasizing the consistency
of
a. self-efficacy.
b. personality traits.
c. reciprocal determinism.
d. unconditional positive regard.
e. self-actualization.
____ 43. Trait theorists have been criticized for
a. underestimating the potential influence of biological factors on personality
development.
b. underestimating the extent to which people differ from one another.
c. overestimating the consistency of behavior from one situation to another.
d. overestimating the importance of reciprocal determinism on adult personality
traits.
e. underestimating the impact of psychosexual stages on personality development.
____ 44. Although Felix is outgoing at school and in class, asking lots of questions, he tends to be quiet
around his parents and other older relatives. This inconsistency in Felix's behavior suggests that
personality test scores make weak predictors of behaviors. However, over many situations, Felix's
________ behavior is predictable.
a. reciprocal
b. average
c. conscious
d. unconditional
e. internal
____ 45. Impressions of just a few seconds of a teacher's expressive style are consistent with impressions of
the teacher's expressive style over an entire semester. This best illustrates the importance of
a. self-esteem.
b. traits.
c. projective tests.
d. self-transcendence.
e. locus of control.
____ 46. According to the social-cognitive perspective, one of the best ways to predict a person's future
behavior is to
a. identify that person's most central traits by having him or her take a personality
inventory.
b. observe that person's behavior in various relevant situations.
c. assess that person's general level of self-esteem.
d. uncover that person's hidden motives, as revealed by projective tests.
e. measure that person's unconscious conflicts and use of defense mechanisms.
____ 47. When John McKay nervously began teaching his first class, he overestimated the extent to which his
students would notice that he was anxious. His reaction best illustrates
a. self-serving bias.
b. an Electra complex.
c. the spotlight effect.
d. the self-reference phenomenon.
e. reciprocal determinism.
____ 48. Erik Erikson's theory predicted that adolescents are focused on forming a stable identity. This focus
may explain why adolescents are especially prone to
a. the spotlight effect.
b.
c.
d.
e.
projection.
free association.
reciprocal determinism.
external locus of control.
____ 49. Individuals with high self-esteem are more likely than those with low self-esteem to
a. work persistently at difficult tasks.
b. experience an external locus of control.
c. dismiss flattering descriptions of themselves as untrue.
d. underestimate the accuracy of their own beliefs.
e. associate with people whose attitudes and personality are very similar to their own.
____ 50. Research on self-perception indicates that most people
a. are more critical of themselves than they are of other people.
b. are unrealistically pessimistic about their personal future.
c. more quickly believe flattering descriptions of themselves than unflattering
feedback.
d. feel more personally responsible for their failures than for their successes.
e. act on constructive criticism more quickly than on compliments.
____ 51. Psychologist Jean Twenge refers to today's new generation as Generation Me because it expresses
more
a. openness.
b. narcissism.
c. free association.
d. unconditional positive regard.
e. self-concept.
____ 52. Exaggerated feelings of self-importance are most closely linked with
a. narcissism.
b. extraversion.
c. the spotlight effect.
d. an external locus of control.
e. an optimistic attributional style.
____ 53. In one survey, Americans were more optimistic that they themselves would go to heaven than would
either Michael Jordan or Bill Clinton. This best illustrates
a. the Barnum effect.
b.
c.
d.
e.
the self-reference phenomenon.
the spotlight effect.
self-serving bias.
an internal locus of control.
____ 54. A willingness to switch jobs and move from one part of the country to another best illustrates one of
the consequences of
a. collectivism.
b. sublimation.
c. individualism.
d. spotlight effect.
e. self-actualization.
____ 55. People living in a culture that promotes collectivism are more likely than those in individualist
cultures to report experiencing
a. happiness.
b. family loyalty.
c. personal freedom.
d. marital romance.
e. fixation.
____ 56. In a collectivist culture, individuals are likely to avoid
a. displaying personal humility.
b. embarrassing other people.
c. prolonging conversations.
d. expressing family loyalty.
e. personal relationships.
____ 57. One would NOT be likely to observe unusually high rates of divorce in cultures that promote
a. collectivism.
b. ethnic diversity.
c. personal privacy.
d. individual human rights.
e. an internal locus of control.
____ 58. Returning personal favors to those who have shown you kindness is especially likely to be
emphasized in cultures characterized by
a. gender schemas.
b.
c.
d.
e.
collectivism.
wealth.
temperament.
individualism.
____ 59. Mehdi wants to earn good grades in high school because he believes he is obligated to his family to
do his best. Mehdi's attitude best exemplifies
a. egocentrism.
b. narcissism.
c. individualism.
d. reciprocal determinism.
e. collectivism.
Personality Open Book Practice Test
Answer Section
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. ANS: A
TOP: Personality
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
SKL: Factual/Definitional
OBJ: Unit X | 55-1
2. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Psychoanalytic theory’s core ideas
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
3. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Psychoanalytic theory’s core ideas
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
4. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Psychoanalytic theory’s core ideas
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
5. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Psychoanalytic theory’s core ideas
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
6. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Personality structure
DIF: Medium
SKL: Conceptual
7. ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Personality structure
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-2
SKL: Conceptual/Application
8. ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Personality structure
DIF: Medium
SKL: Conceptual
9. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Personality structure
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-2
SKL: Factual/Definitional
10. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Personality development
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-3
SKL: Factual/Definitional
11. ANS: E
PTS: 1
TOP: Personality development
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-3
SKL: Factual/Definitional
12. ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Defense mechanisms
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-4
SKL: Conceptual/Application
13. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Defense mechanisms
DIF: Medium
SKL: Conceptual
14. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Defense mechanisms
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-4
SKL: Conceptual/Application
OBJ: Unit X | 55-2
OBJ: Unit X | 55-2
OBJ: Unit X | 55-4
15. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Defense mechanisms
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-4
SKL: Conceptual/Application
16. ANS: E
PTS: 1
TOP: Defense mechanisms
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 55-4
SKL: Conceptual/Application
17. ANS: D
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: The neo-Freudian and psychodynamic theorists
OBJ: Unit X | 56-1
SKL: Conceptual/Application
18. ANS: C
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: The neo-Freudian and psychodynamic theorists
OBJ: Unit X | 56-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
19. ANS: D
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: The neo-Freudian and psychodynamic theorists
OBJ: Unit X | 56-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
20. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Assessing unconscious processes
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 56-2
SKL: Conceptual/Application
21. ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: The modern unconscious mind
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 56-3
SKL: Factual/Definitional
22. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: The modern unconscious mind
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 56-3
SKL: Factual/Definitional
23. ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: The modern unconscious mind
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 56-3
SKL: Factual/Definitional
24. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: The modern unconscious mind
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 56-3
SKL: Factual/Definitional
25. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Humanistic theories
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 57-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
26. ANS: D
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: Carl Rogers' person-centered perspective
OBJ: Unit X | 57-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
27. ANS: D
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: Carl Rogers' person-centered perspective
OBJ: Unit X | 57-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
28. ANS: B
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: Carl Rogers' person-centered perspective
OBJ: Unit X | 57-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
29. ANS: C
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: Carl Rogers' person-centered perspective
OBJ: Unit X | 57-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
30. ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Assessing the self
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 57-2
SKL: Factual/Definitional
31. ANS: C
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: Evaluating the humanistic perspective
OBJ: Unit X | 57-3
SKL: Conceptual
32. ANS: E
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: Evaluating the humanistic perspective
OBJ: Unit X | 57-3
SKL: Conceptual
33. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Trait theories
DIF: Medium
SKL: Conceptual
OBJ: Unit X | 58-1
34. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Trait theories
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
35. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Trait theories
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-1
SKL: Factual/Definitional
36. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Assessing traits
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-2
SKL: Conceptual/Application
37. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Assessing traits
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-2
SKL: Factual/Definitional
38. ANS: B
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: How to be a “successful” astrologer or palm reader
OBJ: Unit X | 58-2
SKL: Conceptual/Application
39. ANS: C
PTS: 1
DIF: Medium
TOP: How to be a “successful” astrologer or palm reader
OBJ: Unit X | 58-2
SKL: Factual/Definitional
40. ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: The Big Five factors
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-3
SKL: Factual/Definitional
41. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Evaluating trait theories
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-4
SKL: Factual/Definitional
42. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Evaluating trait theories
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-4
SKL: Factual/Definitional
43. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Evaluating trait theories
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-4
SKL: Factual/Definitional
44. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Evaluating trait theories
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-4
SKL: Factual/Definitional
45. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Evaluating trait theories
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 58-4
SKL: Conceptual/Application
46. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Assessing behavior in situations
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-2
SKL: Factual/Definitional
47. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Exploring the self
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-3
SKL: Conceptual/Application
48. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Exploring the self
DIF: Medium
SKL: Conceptual
OBJ: Unit X | 59-3
49. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: The benefits of self-esteem
DIF: Medium
SKL: Conceptual
OBJ: Unit X | 59-3
50. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Self-serving bias
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-4
SKL: Factual/Definitional
51. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Self-serving bias
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-4
SKL: Factual/Definitional
52. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Self-serving bias
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-4
SKL: Factual/Definitional
53. ANS: D
PTS: 1
TOP: Self-serving bias
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-4
SKL: Conceptual/Application
54. ANS: C
PTS: 1
TOP: Culture and the self
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-5
SKL: Factual/Definitional
55. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Culture and the self
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-5
SKL: Factual/Definitional
56. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Culture and the self
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-5
SKL: Factual/Definitional
57. ANS: A
PTS: 1
TOP: Culture and the self
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-5
SKL: Factual/Definitional
58. ANS: B
PTS: 1
TOP: Culture and the self
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-5
SKL: Factual/Definitional
59. ANS: E
PTS: 1
TOP: Culture and the self
DIF: Medium
OBJ: Unit X | 59-5
SKL: Conceptual/Application