Personality Theory Quiz

Contemporary psychologists are most likely to consider ________ to be of pivotal importance to personality.

• the sense of self

• the superego

• unconditional positive regard

• the collective unconscious

• projection

Which of the following is said to function as an organizer of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors?

• the self

• the reality principle

• the Big Five

• the empirically derived test

• the superego

Our motivation to achieve success and avoid failure is most directly influenced by our

• Oedipus complex

• possible selves

• factor analysis

• free association

• self-serving bias

Lawrence studies diligently because he is haunted by an image of himself being unable to get a job after graduation. Lawrence's diligence best illustrates the motivational impact of:

• an internal locus of control

• unconditional positive regard

• learned helplessness

• possible selves

• the spotlight effect

Medical students earn higher grades if they have a clear vision of themselves as successful doctors. This best illustrates the motivational significance of:

• possible selves

• unconditional positive regard

• self-serving bias

• an internal locus of control

• the spotlight effect

Seven-year-old Mikel loves to pretend to be a doctor by giving all of his stuffed animals 'check-ups.' While he may not grow up to be a doctor, research on the self suggests that pretend play gives Mikel the opportunity to:

• bring unconscious wishes and desires to awareness

• overcome feelings of inferiority

• become self-actualized in a genuine, accepting, and empathic environment

• indirectly explore the person-situation controversy

• try out different possible selves

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:

• self-serving bias

• an Electra complex

• the spotlight effect

• the self-reference phenomenon

• reciprocal determinism

Overestimating the extent to which others notice and evaluate our appearance and performance is called

• external locus of control.

• self-serving bias.

• reaction formation.

• the spotlight effect.

• fixation.

Erik Erikson's theory predicted that adolescents are focused on forming a stable identity. This focus may explain why adolescents are especially prone to

• the spotlight effect.

• projection.

• free association.

• reciprocal determinism.

• external locus of control.

Self-esteem refers to

• the sum total of all our thoughts about ourselves.

• our concept of what we would like to be.

• our feelings of high or low self-worth.

• our sense of control over our surroundings.

• the internal and idealized sense of self.