PSY405 Unique MCQs with Explanations

PSY405 - Personality Psychology: · Unique MCQs with Explanations · Lesson 19: Allport: A Trait Theory

Q1. According to Allport, how many criteria define a personality trait?

1. ​ 6
2. ​ 9
3. ​ 8
4. ​ 7 Answer: 8

Correct answer: ​ 7 Answer: 8

Explanation: Allport specifically listed 8 criteria to define a trait (e.g., it has more than nominal existence, it is more generalized than a habit, it is dynamic, etc.).

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic/trait of a trait according to Allport?

1. ​ A trait is more generalized than a habit
2. ​ A trait is rigid and possessive
3. ​ A trait has more than nominal existence
4. ​ A trait is dynamic or at least determinative in behavior Answer: A trait is rigid and

possessive

Explanation: Allport stated that traits are not rigid; they can change and adapt to different situations. Habits are rigid, but traits are flexible. The other options are correct characteristics of traits.

Q3. Traits are [blank] and determinative.

1. ​ Internal
2. ​ Unique
3. ​ Dynamic
4. ​ Static Answer: Dynamic

Correct answer: ​ Static Answer: Dynamic

Explanation: Allport described traits as dynamic because they have a motivational quality—they drive and determine behavior. " Static" is the opposite of Allport's view.

Q4. Allport’s definition of trait is "a generalized and focalized neuropsychic system... with the capacity to render many stimuli functionally equivalent".

1. ​ True
2. ​ False Answer: True

Correct answer: ​ False Answer: True

Explanation: This is Allport's exact verbatim definition of a personality trait found in the handouts.

Q5. In Allport's system, if a trait is extremely pervasive, that almost all the activities of a person can be traced to its influence, what is this trait called?

1. ​ Secondary Traits
2. ​ Central Traits
3. ​ Cardinal Traits
4. ​ Primary Traits Answer: Cardinal Traits

Explanation: Cardinal traits are so dominant (like a "ruling passion") that they influence nearly every aspect of a person's life (e.g., " Machiavellian"). Central traits are major characteristics (5-10 per person), and Secondary traits are less consistent preferences.

Q6. According to Allport, temperament is the [blank] component of personality.

1. ​ Humanistic
2. ​ Cognitive
3. ​ Emotional
4. ​ Behavioral Answer: Emotional

Explanation: Allport defined temperament specifically as the emotional component of personality, referring to an individual's susceptibility to emotional stimulation and prevailing mood.

Q7. According to Allport, the functional autonomy that refers to acquired interests, values, and sentiments is:

1. ​ Perseverative functional autonomy
2. ​ Propriate functional autonomy
3. ​ Secondary functional autonomy
4. ​ Central functional autonomy Answer: Propriate functional autonomy Explanation: Propriate functional autonomy relates to the proprium (the self/ego) and includes higher-level values, interests, and lifestyle choices. Perseverative functional autonomy refers to low-level habits and addictions.

Q8. According to Gordon Allport, between 6 and 12 years of age, the child begins to fully realize that he or she has the rational capacity to find solutions to life's problems. This aspect of "selfhood" is termed as:

1. ​ The Sense of Self as a Rational Coper
2. ​ The Self-Image
3. ​ The Sense of Self-Identity
4. ​ Propriate Striving Answer: The Sense of Self as a Rational Coper

Correct answer: ​ Propriate Striving Answer: The Sense of Self as a Rational Coper

Explanation: The Rational Coper stage occurs between ages 6-12, where the child develops logic and problem-solving skills. Self-Identity happens earlier (infancy), and Propriate Striving happens later (adolescence).

Q9. According to Allport, at which of the following stage children become jealous?

1. ​ Sense of bodily self
2. ​ Sense of self criticism
3. ​ Sense of extension
4. ​ Sense of identity Answer: Sense of extension

Explanation: The Sense of Extension (ages 4-6) involves the concept of "mine" (my toys, my parents). This possessiveness leads to feelings of jealousy if those extended parts of the self are threatened.

Q10. Identify the person who places highest value upon unity, in Study of Value Test.

1. ​ The Theoretical
2. ​ The Religious
3. ​ The Social
4. ​ The Aesthetic Answer: The Religious

Explanation: In the Study of Values, the Religious type values unity and the cosmos. The Theoretical values truth, Social values love of people, and Aesthetic values form and harmony.

Q11. Identify the person who places the highest value upon the love of people, in Study of Value Test.

1. ​ The Theoretical
2. ​ The Economic
3. ​ The Social
4. ​ The Aesthetic Answer: The Social

Explanation: The Social type is defined by an altruistic love of people. The Economic type values utility and practicality.

Q12. Which of the following test was created by Gordon Allport to measure the basic personality dimensions?

1. ​ The Study of Values
2. ​ Differential Aptitude Test
3. ​ Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
4. ​ Thematic Apperception Test Answer: The Study of Values

Explanation: Allport (with Vernon and Lindzey) created the Study of Values (SOV) based on Spranger’s types. The other tests were created by different psychologists (MMPI by Hathaway/McKinley, TAT by Murray).

Q13. Which of the following was Gordon Allport's first book?

1. ​ Prejudice: Some Social Reasons
2. ​ Personality: A Psychological Interpretation
3. ​ Memory: The Physiological Influences
4. ​ Cognitions: A Psychological Explanation Answer: Personality: A Psychological

Interpretation

Explanation: Published in 1937, " Personality: A Psychological Interpretation" was Allport's groundbreaking book that formally introduced personality psychology as a distinct discipline.

Lesson 23: Raymond Cattell: A Factor-Analytic Trait Theory

Q14. Whose theory of personality is based on factor analysis?

1. ​ Henry Murray's
2. ​ Maslow's
3. ​ Cattell's
4. ​ Kelly's Answer: Cattell's

Correct answer: ​ Kelly's Answer: Cattell's

Explanation: Raymond Cattell pioneered the use of the statistical method Factor Analysis to identify the underlying source traits of personality.

Q15. Cattell used which of the following method for the analysis of data?

1. ​ Correlation
2. ​ Experimentation
3. ​ Factor analysis
4. ​ Observation Answer: Factor analysis

Correct answer: ​ Observation Answer: Factor analysis

Explanation: Cattell’s core methodology was Factor Analysis, a technique used to reduce large amounts of data into smaller, manageable dimensions (factors).

Q16. Which method is commonly used to analyse the personality according to Cattell?

1. ​ Factor analysis
2. ​ Standard deviation
3. ​ ANOVA