PSY/250 Unit 1 Quiz — Defining and Studying Personality

Psychology

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Questions (7)

A researcher finds that a conscientiousness scale correlates r = .28 with a single instance of turning in an assignment on time, but r = .58 with on-time submission averaged across a full semester. This improvement best illustrates the principle of:

MC1 pt

A. Aggregation — averaging across occasions reduces measurement error and reveals the trait's signal

B. Situation strength — the semester is a stronger situation than a single assignment

C. Reverse causation — good grades are producing conscientiousness

D. Falsifiability — the trait measure has been proven wrong

Mischel's 1968 critique of trait psychology centered on the claim that:

MC1 pt

A. Trait measures rarely correlated above about r = .30 with observed behavior, suggesting situations mattered more

B. Traits are entirely inherited and therefore cannot be studied environmentally

C. Self-report is the only valid source of personality data

D. Personality does not exist in any form

At a funeral, nearly everyone behaves quietly and somberly regardless of their extraversion. This is the clearest example of:

MC1 pt

A. A strong situation suppressing the expression of individual differences

B. An if–then behavioral signature

C. The personality coefficient

D. Aggregation across occasions

Which of the following are sources of personality data in the LOTS framework? (Select all that apply.)

Multi2 pts

A. Life data — records of real-world outcomes such as arrests or salary

B. Observer data — ratings from people who know the person

C. Test data — standardized instruments and laboratory tasks

D. Self-report data — the person's own description of themselves

E. Lineage data — the documented occupations of a person's ancestors

A study reports that people who journal regularly are lower in neuroticism. A student concludes that journaling reduces neuroticism. The flaw in this reasoning is that:

MC1 pt

A. Correlational data cannot establish causation — the direction could be reversed or a third variable could explain both

B. Neuroticism cannot be measured by self-report

C. The sample must have been too small to interpret

D. Journaling is a state, not a trait, so it cannot correlate with anything

Define the difference between a trait and a state, and give one original example of each.

Text2 pts

Explain interactionism as a resolution to the person–situation debate. Why is it considered a synthesis rather than a victory for either side?

Text3 pts

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