Psychology of Personality Exam 1
Which of the following processes are involved in natural selection, the driving force behind evolution? Individuals best adapted to the environment have a survival advantage. Some individuals reproduce more successfully than others. The offspring of some individuals survive in greater numbers than do those of others. All of the above are correct.
All of the above are correct.
Which statement best summarizes the results of research on Freud's theory of humor? Very few of the research findings are consistent with Freud's predictions. Almost all of this research supports Freud's theory of humor. Although a few of the minor predictions from Freud's theory are supported, most of the major predictions have not been supported. Although many of the research findings are consistent with Freud's predictions, they are subject to alternative interpretations.
Although many of the research findings are consistent with Freud's predictions, they are subject to alternative interpretations.
Which of the following best describes the cross-cultural findings when comparing the frequencies of male and female characters in dreams? Although there are a few exceptions, the frequencies found in American samples tend to be found in other cultures as well. American and European samples show different frequencies than nonsamples. Male characters tend to show up in dreams more frequently in malesocieties. Although a consistent pattern is found in the results from different American samples, no clear pattern emerges when looking at studies using participants from other cultures.
Although there are a few exceptions, the frequencies found in American samples tend to be found in other cultures as well.
Research on Freud's theory of humor has found all of the following results except one. Which one? People find mildly hostile humor funnier when it is aimed at a person or group they do not like. Angry people find hostile humor funnier than nonangry people. The greater the tension buildto a joke, the funnier people find the punch line. Anxious people are not able to enjoy a joke.
Anxious people are not able to enjoy a joke.
________ refers to the tendency for each hemisphere of the brain to take control of different functions. Neurotransmission Homeostasis Cortical transmission Cerebral dominance Spatial orientation
Cerebral dominance
Which of the following is the best way to think of fixation? It occurs when we use defense mechanisms to deal with unconscious sexual and aggressive impulses. In development it occurs when children leave behind some psychic energy tied up in resolving a crisis. In our development the rewards in the environment take control of our behaviors. all of the above
In development it occurs when children leave behind some psychic energy tied up in resolving a crisis.
Which of the following is false about sexual jokes? Freud suggested we laugh at sexual jokes to reduce tension. Jokes are often tolerated when open discussions of sex are inappropriate. Most sexually oriented jokes contain a great deal of humor. Freud argued that the humor content of a sexual joke rarely justifies the laughter.
Most sexually oriented jokes contain a great deal of humor.
Nathan is 37 years old. He smokes and drinks excessively and is constantly putting his hand to his mouth. What might Freud have said about Nathan? Nathan had an excessive amount of psychic energy fixated during the resolution of his Oedipus complex. Nathan had some traumatic experiences during the oral stage of development. Nathan has a weak superego. Nathan has not yet resolved his Oedipus complex.
Nathan had some traumatic experiences during the oral stage of development.
________ are biochemical substances that are released into the synaptic cleft to stimulate or suppress other neurons. Receptors Hormones Neurotransmitters Interneurons Neurohormones
Neurotransmitters
Which of the following is true about projective tests? Test takers are presented with ambiguous stimuli. Test givers are trained to recognize correct and incorrect answers. Projective tests typically are used to determine where a person lies on a particular personality trait dimension. Although once popular, projective tests are rarely used by psychologists today.
Test takers are presented with ambiguous stimuli.
Which statement best summarizes the results of research that presents hostile humor to angry participants? The findings are almost completely consistent with Freud's theory. The findings support the Freudian prediction about catharsis, but not the prediction about reducing aggression. The findings are mixed, sometimes supporting Freud's predictions, other times not. The findings are almost completely at odds with Freud's theory.
The findings are mixed, sometimes supporting Freud's predictions, other times not.
________ form the body's two communication systems. The left and right hemispheres of the brain. The dendrites and the axons. The nervous system and the endocrine system. Genetics and the environment. Reflexes and controlled behavior
The nervous system and the endocrine system.
Which statement best summarizes what researchers have found about the changes in frequencies of male and female dream characters at different age levels? The adult pattern of frequencies of dream characters does not emerge until the teenage years. The pattern changes for males as they pass through the Oedipus complex. The frequencies of male and female characters completely reverses for both males and females as they age from childhood to adulthood. The pattern found in adult males and females is also found in samples of children of various ages.
The pattern found in adult males and females is also found in samples of children of various ages.
Which statement is true about the superego? The superego is present in newborn children. The healthiest personality is one in which superego has control over ego and id. The actions of the superego are based on the reality principle. The superego represents internalized standards and values.
The superego represents internalized standards and values.
A woman is very upset with her mother. However, her ego will not allow her to express this hostility openly. According to Freud, what might we expect this woman to do? Explain to everyone how much she loves her mother. 'Accidentally' destroy one of her mother's favorite dishes. Express her hostility toward her own children. The woman might do any of the above.
The woman might do any of the above
Which of the following is true about REM sleep? We are more likely to dream during REM sleep than any other time during the night. Adults spend most of their sleeping hours in REM sleep. Muscles are more tense and active during REM sleep than nonsleep. Only about half of all adults experience REM sleep.
We are more likely to dream during REM sleep than any other time during the night.
In Freudian theory, "libido" is an unlimited source of psychic energy. a general term referring to all of the instincts. a finite amount of psychic energy. the same thing as "Thanatos."
a finite amount of psychic energy.
All but which of the following has been found to enhance hypnotic responsiveness? positive attitudes toward hypnosis an expectation that one will become highly hypnotized a high level of motivation to become hypnotized a high extraversion score
a high extraversion score
Repression is an __________ effort by the ego to push out threatening material from awareness. occasional organic active irrational
active
According to Freud, fixation results in adult personality characteristics related to the stage at which the fixation occurred. an increase in the amount of psychic energy available to the adult ego. either castration anxiety or penis envy, depending on the gender of the child. an increase in Freudian slips
adult personality characteristics related to the stage at which the fixation occurred.
According to Freud, which of the following functions is served by telling or listening to jokes? One's enemy can be attacked through humor. The punch line of a joke provides the satisfaction that comes with tension release. Sexual thoughts can be expressed in socially acceptable outlets. all of the above
all of the above
The central nervous system is comprised of all the neurons in the ________ and the ________.
brain; spinal cord
When researchers asked people to rate cartoons for funniness, they found that each participant experienced a cathartic release of tension. cartoons with sexual and aggressive themes were rated as funnier than cartoons with other themes. the likelihood of participants acting aggressively significantly increased. funniness ratings were inconsistent with predictions from Freudian theory.
cartoons with sexual and aggressive themes were rated as funnier than cartoons with other themes.
The ________ would be important in regulating your ability to walk on a tightrope or walk on a balance beam. hypothalamus. thalamus. amygdala. cerebellum. hippocampus.
cerebellum.
Damage to the ________ would impair our ability to plan and reason. cerebral cortex autonomic nervous system hypothalamus limbic system spinal cord
cerebral cortex
The ________ controls functions such as reasoning, creating, and problem solving. brain stem cerebellum spinal cord cerebral cortex limbic system
cerebral cortex
Which of the following has been found effective for improving a person's hypnotic responsiveness? finding a compatible hypnotist giving the subject more experience with hypnosis changing the subject's expectancy to one of active involvement and responding changing the subject's personality
changing the subject's expectancy to one of active involvement and responding
During synaptic transmission, the _______ in the axon is converted into a(n) ________ that can traverse the synaptic gap. myelin sheath; chemical message electrical impulse; chemical message chemical message; electrical impulse myelin sheath; electrical impulse ionic impulse; electrical impulse
chemical message; electrical impulse
The ego is found in which part of Freud's topographic model? conscious preconscious unconscious conscious, preconscious, and unconscious
conscious, preconscious, and unconscious
The ________ interconnects the two hemispheres of the cerebrum. cerebellum limbic system cerebral cortex corpus callosum pituitary
corpus callosum
Some male participants in one study were told they scored high in femininity on a personality test. The investigator then asked the participants to tell stories about pictures in TAT cards. The investigator was studying masculinity and femininity. coping strategies. aggression. defense mechanisms.
defense mechanisms.
Researchers find that each of us tends to rely on some defense mechanisms more than others. They refer to these individual patterns as the person's coping style. developmental level. emotional maturity level. defensive style.
defensive style.
Based on research findings, which of the following defense mechanisms would we expect to find younger children using most frequently? denial identification reaction formation sublimation
denial
When Tony was three years old he experienced a great deal of stress at home. As an adult, Tony's defensive style is likely to rely on mature defense mechanisms. strong defense mechanisms. denial. conscious rather than unconscious strategies.
denial
According to Freud, each of us is born with a(n) sexual attraction for the oppositeparent. desire to die and return to the earth. id, ego, and superego. unlimited amount of psychic energy.
desire to die and return to the earth.
A man is angry with his wife, but instead of confronting her, he takes out his anger on his children. This is an example of repression. sublimation. displacement. projection
displacement
According to Freud, to make sense of a patient's dream, a therapist needs to understand the dream's manifest content. dream's latent content. part of the dream recalled best by the dreamer. parts of the dream that recur in many different dreams.
dream's latent content.
According to Freud, which is an example of wish fulfillment? dreams hysteria reflexive action defense mechanisms
dreams
Research on the relationship between personality trait measures and hypnotic responsiveness generally has found personality traits such as sensationand extraversion are moderately correlated with hypnotic responsiveness. hypnotic responsiveness is related to a person's ability to become highly involved in sensory or imaginative experiences. no consistent evidence relating personality trait measures to hypnotic responsiveness. hypnotic responsiveness has more to do with the hypnotist's talent than the subject's ability to become hypnotized.
hypnotic responsiveness is related to a person's ability to become highly involved in sensory or imaginative experiences.
The ________ is involved in the regulation of feeding, drinking, and sexual behavior. hippocampus amygdala hypothalamus thalamus medulla
hypothalamus
In Freud's view of castration anxiety, what would be a healthy result for males? identification with the same-sex parent repression of sexual desires for opposite sex people strong moral anxiety a powerful superego
identification with the same-sex parent
The function of the cerebellum is mostly automatic. relates to memory. relates to the sleep-waking cycle. remains unknown. is related to eating and drinking.
is mostly automatic.
According to Freud, presenting angry people with hostile humor should lead to an increase in aggression. lead to a cathartic release of tension and an increase in aggression. lead to a cathartic release of tension and a decrease in aggression. increase anger, but not aggression.
lead to a cathartic release of tension and a decrease in aggression.
Peter suffers damage to his left frontal lobe and loses the ability to speak, although he can still understand speech. Despite the permanence of this damage, he is able to recover some of his speech due to the ability of other parts of the brain to take over lost function. This phenomenon is known by neuroscientists as flexibility. adaptiveness. plasticity. compensation. homeostasis.
plasticity.
Information about where you parked your car or the name of your uncle probably is stored in which part of the mind, according to Freud's topographic model? conscious preconscious unconscious subconscious
preconscious
According to recent research findings, REM sleep appears to be necessary to maintain one's mental health. guard against serious psychological disturbances. prepare us for dealing with anxiety-arousing events. all of the above
prepare us for dealing with anxiety-arousing events.
A man has a strong unconscious urge to cheat business associates. He complains that he can't trust the people he does business with, that they will cheat and steal from him if he gives them half a chance. The man is exhibiting displacement. denial. reaction formation. projection.
projection
Based on research findings, older children are more likely to use the defense mechanism of _________ than younger children. projection identification reaction formation sublimation
projection
If you see your own unwanted thoughts and undesirable impulses in other people, then you are using the defense mechanism called displacement. reaction formation. intellectualization. projection
projection
Which of the following defense mechanisms is said to protect the individual by attributing unacceptable thoughts to someone else? sublimation reaction formation denial projection
projection
The use of ___________ requires an individual to respond to ambiguous stimuli. free association dream analysis projective tests hypnosis
projective tests
Which of the following do researchers commonly use to measure defense mechanisms? self-report inventories projective tests behavioral interviews hypnosis
projective tests
According to Freud, "Freudian slips" are an example of free association. provide clues about unconscious associations. indicate that psychoanalysis is progressing because the crucial unconscious material is close to breaking into consciousness. occur almost exclusively during psychoanalysis
provide clues about unconscious associations.
A man becomes a leader in a crusade promoting sexual morality. A year later the man is arrested for a variety of sex crimes. Freud might have interpreted the man's earlier behavior as an example of repression. denial. reaction formation. projection
reaction formation
Freud used which principle to characterize the actions of the ego? pleasure principle reality principle hospitality principle morality principle
reality principle
When people experience dreams that they have dreamed before, we call these dreams conscious. paradoxical. surreal. recurrent.
recurrent
The id uses reflexive action and wish fulfillment to reduce guilt. satisfy the reality principle. satisfy the ego and superego needs. reduce tension
reduce tension.
A person who has suffered damage to their hippocampus would be expected to have difficulty with remembering events from his distant past. remembering newer information concentrating on complex tasks. controlling his temper. moving in a smooth manner.
remembering newer information
An honors student is caught stealing money from his teacher's desk. The teacher tells the student to report after school to discuss the incident. However, when the student arrives later that day, he cannot remember doing what the teacher accuses him of. This is an example of repression. sublimation. displacement. denial
repression
Freud identified which defense mechanism as the cornerstone of psychoanalysis? sublimation dreaming repression denial
repression
Spatial orientation appears to be a function of the brain's _______ hemisphere. right left visual temporal central
right
Researchers have determined that the ________ hemisphere is more ________ than the ________.
right; analytical; left
Researchers have determined that the ________ hemisphere is more ________ than the ________. left; analytical; right right; analytical; left right; specialized for language; left left; specialized for music; right left; spatially-oriented; right
right; analytical; left
During free association, a patient is encouraged to search his or her mind for clues about unconscious thoughts. report only those thoughts that seem psychologically significant. lapse into silence on occasion to get in touch with unconscious thoughts. say whatever comes into his or her mind.
say whatever comes into his or her mind.
If Sigmund Freud were to have abandoned his concept of the Oedipus complex, he would have needed to come up with another explanation for how unconscious needs are expressed in dreams. the superego develops. fixation affects adult personalities. defense mechanisms work.
the superego develops
"Fight or flight" behavior is associated with the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system b. motor neurons. d. the somatic nervous system. e. interneurons.
the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system b. motor neurons. d. the somatic nervous system. e. interneurons.
A patient in psychoanalysis begins to react towards the therapist with behaviors and emotions similar to those he patient displayed towards her father. This is an example of resistance. transference. countertransference. denial
transference
According to Eysenck, introverts and extraverts differ in the level of functioning of the cerebral cortex. True False
true
According to Taylor, women tend to respond to stress with a tend-and-befriend response. True False
true
Anabolic steroids are thought to produce aggressiveness and dominance. True False
true
Antisocial personality has been hypothesized to result from possessing an overactive BAS. True False
true
Exposure to some kinds of hormones before birth can lead children to say they will respond with more aggression in hypothetical situations. True False
true
Extraverts look for stimulation to increase arousal levels. True False
true
Hans Eysenck made one of the first modern attempts to link personality with biology. True False
true
High testosterone levels in men is associated with lower socio-economic status (SES) occupations. True False
true
Higher BAS sensitivity relates to higher resting levels in the left prefrontal cortex. True False
true
If a person has a chronically high serotonin level, receptors will adjust to become less sensitive. True False
true
People without disorders who took SSRIs for four weeks reported less hostility and negativity. True False
true
Research has found that extraversion was linked to seeking pleasant experiences, even if they were not social in nature. True False
true
Research links sensitivity of GABA receptors to neuroticism. True False
true
Research on monkeys has revealed connections between dopamine and social dominance. True False
true
Sensation seekers are characterized by their search for new and exciting experiences. True False
true
Studies have shown that introverts are more alert than extraverts during vigilance tasks. True False
true
The BAS is thought to be responsible for many kinds of positive emotions. True False
true
The avoidance system creates anxiety in response to punishment cues. True False
true
The behavioral inhibition system is implicated in anxiety, fear, and guilt. True False
true
The behavioral inhibition system reacts to punishments and threats. True False
true
The enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) has been found to be associated with sensation seeking. True False
true
If your friend the therapist agrees with Freud, the person would say that the content of our dreams reveals unacceptable ideas that are really acceptable. unconscious conflicts and desires. anxieties we were born with. much useless information.
unconscious conflicts and desires.
According to Freud, many accidents are caused by the death instinct. unconsciously motivated. a type of defense mechanism. repressed immediately.
unconsciously motivated
The two major subsystems of the nervous system are the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. sympathetic nervous system. peripheral nervous system. parasympathetic nervous system. somatic nervous system.
peripheral nervous system.
Little Timmy is extremely jealous whenever his mommy and daddy kiss and show affection. Timmy wants to get kisses from his mommy. Little Timmy is in which stage of psychosexual development? oral anal phallic genital
phallic
Vision is process primarily in the ________ lobes. frontal temporal parietal occipital
occipital
Which of the following is correct about Freud's description of the Oedipus complex? Resolution of the Oedipus complex leads to the development of the superego. During this stage, girls wish they had male genitals and boys wish they had female genitals. Resolution of the Oedipus complex sends children into a stage in which they are physically attracted to members of the opposite sex, but not their parents. It takes place during the end of the oral stage.
Resolution of the Oedipus complex leads to the development of the superego
________ neurons carry messages to the central nervous system. Motor Sensory Inter-neurons Sympathetic Peripheral
Sensory
Hormones are chemicals secreted into the bloodstream by axon terminals. neurotransmitters. endocrine glands. synapses. dendritic terminals
endocrine glands.
The network of glands that manufacture and secrete hormones is referred to as the neurotransmitter pathway. nervous system. hormonal network. endocrine system. myelin sheath.
endocrine system.
What concept do sociocognitive theorists often use to explain the behavior of hypnotic subjects? expectancy altered state of consciousness divided consciousness repression
expectancy
"IUSS" is related to a focus on the long-term rather than short-term consequences of behavior. True False
false
According to Eysenck, the resting levels of cerebral cortex activity among introverts are typically lower than those of extraverts. True False
false
Antidepressants like Prozac can help treat depression without influencing other aspects of people's personalities. True False
false
As compared to introverts, extraverts need to receive more of a depressant drug to reach a given level of "unalertness." True False
false
BAS sensitivity relates to learning both positive and negative outcomes. True False
false
Deficits in the effortful control system are related to more severe cases of anxiety but are unrelated to the severity of depression. True False
false
Extraverts seek out social interaction to avoid becoming overstimulated. True False
false
Neurobiological evidence suggests the social incentive and threat systems overlap entirely with the more general approach and avoidance systems. True False
false
Norepinepherine is produced when a person is calm. True False
false
Of men who have committed murder, those with higher testosterone levels were more likely to have killed a stranger. True False
false
Oxytocin appears to be involved in mother-infant bonding but not social bonding more generally. True False
false
Participants without psychological disorders demonstrated increased positive mood after being given Prozac for four weeks. True False
false
Recent research indicates the BAS may be based in the right frontal cortex. True False
false
Research on adults suggests that sex hormones influence sexual but not social behavior. True False
false
Testosterone levels stay relatively constant over time and situations. True False
false
The BAS is an avoidance-based system, responsive to cues of punishment. True False
false
The basic template for the development of the human body is male. True False
false
The behavioral inhibition system is involved in learning positive but not negative outcomes. True False
false
The enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) is related to passivity. True False
false
A woman sets excessively high moral and ethical standards for herself. As a result, she constantly feels ashamed and guilty for making small mistakes and minor transgressions. Freud might say that her id has become too powerful. she has too much psychic energy fixated at the oral stage of development. her ego has become too powerful. her superego has become too powerful
her superego has become too powerful.
The endocrine glands release ________ into the bloodstream. endorphins serotonin dopamine acetylcholine hormones
hormones
The action of grabbing your keys with your right hand is controlled by your right somatosensory cortex. left motor cortex. association cortex. frontal lobes. right motor cortex.
left motor cortex.
Participants in the "hidden observer" demonstrations placed their arms in painfully cold water. Researchers found that highly hypnotized participants reported experiencing no pain. could only experience pain after the experimenter told them they could. left their arm in the water, but reported through their "hidden observer" that the experience was painful. experienced no pain while hypnotized, but recalled the pain after the hypnosis was over.
left their arm in the water, but reported through their "hidden observer" that the experience was painful.
The life instinct to which Freud attributed most of our behaviors is called id. neurotic impulse. libido. the structural model.
libido
According to Freud, there is a difference between the manifest content and the latent content of our dreams because one is controlled by the id and one by the ego and superego. many of our unconscious thoughts and desires would be difficult for us to face upon waking. we can only recall the manifest content after waking up. one is conscious and the other unconscious.
many of our unconscious thoughts and desires would be difficult for us to face upon waking
Our ability to breathe is controlled by the ________ which is located within the ________. thalamus; forebrain medulla; brainstem cerebellum; midbrain brain stem; medulla pons; forebrain
medulla; brainstem
From Freud's view of tension reduction, one can conclude that a joke will be funnier when it is sexual than when it is hostile. more tension is experienced before the punch line. tension increases rapidly. less tension is experienced before the punch line.
more tension is experienced before the punch line.
A stage hypnotist arranges chairs so that only a few of the many volunteers who rush to the stage are able to participate in the show. She does this to capitalize on which responsiveness-enhancing variable? expectancy attitude motivation absorption
motivation
The right hemisphere is important for the function of memory for words but not actions. musical ability. proper use of language. feelings of anxiety sequence of movements.
musical ability.
Darwin's theory of ________ argues that evolution favors those organisms that are best adapted to their environment. encephalization bipedalism specialization natural selection creationism
natural selection
The "hidden observer" demonstrations are used to support which theory of hypnosis? absorption theory neodissociation theory nontrance theory role theory
neodissociation theory
The influence of psychoanalytic theory can be seen most clearly in which explanation of hypnosis? absorption theory neodissociation theory nontrance theory role theory
neodissociation theory
The ________ is the basic building block of the nervous system. soma neuron axon terminal button reflex
neuron
A businesswoman is upset with her husband. She channels this anger into her work and increases her productivity dramatically. This is an example of sublimation. displacement. reaction formation. projection.
sublimation
Suppose you use one of the defense mechanisms described by Freud significantly more than any of the others. If you are a welland productive person, which defense mechanism would that probably be? repression sublimation displacement reaction formation
sublimation
A man has the opportunity to cheat his business partner. However, he feels so worried and guilty about getting caught that he does not. In Freudian theory, the man probably was prevented from cheating by his id. ego superego. conscience.
superego.
Critics of the neodissociation theory of hypnosis challenge the interpretation of the "hidden observer" demonstrations by conducting experiments in which they tell the "hidden observer" it will experience less pain when hypnotized. ask the "hidden observer" to report experiences through "automatic writing." tell the participant that the experimenter's machine can determine if he or she is lying. give the same instructions to people who are not hypnotized.
tell the "hidden observer" it will experience less pain when hypnotized.
Psychoanalytically oriented theorists explain posthypnotic amnesia by arguing that the experience has been recorded in a part of the mind not accessible to consciousness. participants do what they think they are supposed to do. participants have not been given an adequate incentive to report the experience. participants do not record the experience anywhere in memory.
the experience has been recorded in a part of the mind not accessible to consciousness.
Darwin's theory of evolution suggests that the only measure of success for a species is being the largest of the species. not competing with members of the same species. possessing the best coloring and shape of the species. the passing of genes along to succeeding generations. the uniqueness of the species.
the passing of genes along to succeeding generations.
Suppose you had to go all night without sleep in order to study for a final exam. If you suffer from _________, you will receive more REM sleep the next night. recurrent dream phenomenon the rebound effect extreme relaxation associated with having the final exam finished the paradox of sleep
the rebound effect
In most people, ________ of the brain is(are) most involved in visual-spatial activities. the right side the left side neither side the lower surface front
the right side
The peripheral nervous system is comprised of the autonomic nervous system and the sympathetic division. the autonomic nervous system and the central nervous system. the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. the somatic nervous system and the sympathetic division. the parasympathetic nervous system and the central nervous system.
the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
